Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/22/2007

Question
Dear Chrys, I do hope you can help me. I have taken over an Indian Ringneck from an owner who emigrated. I'm going to give you a bit of information regarding his nature and the relationship we have, in order to acquaint you with the nature of the bird.  He was originally housed in a budgerigar cage which was hopelessly too small and left on his own on the porch all day. I bought him a much larger cage, which he found a bit intimidating at first, but soon got used to it. He was horribly distressed on the day he was delivered to me, probably because of travelling in the car and the moving around of his cage, not to mention suddenly finding himself in unfamiliar surroundings with two cocker spaniels, who were absolutely fascinated by him. The spaniels have now calmed down and don't pay him any attention at all and he has begun calling one of them by name, which confuses the poor dog no end!

For the first month or so, I approached the cage carefully, changed his water and food bowls slowly and quietly and spoke to him gently. I made no attempt to touch him and never even got to the point where he felt he had to back out of the way because I was too close. I put him in my workshop (I work from home as a stained glass artist) because I'm always there and talk to him constantly. I was overjoyed when one day, after many attempts to gain his trust, I once again put my finger through the bars of his cage to encourage him to come closer and he put one foot on my finger! From there on, things progressed rapidly. He now talks up a storm and gets a grip on new words very quickly. He will get onto my shoulder with no hesitation and has the run of my desk (all dangerous and inappropriate articles having been removed!) and often sits on my hand when I'm using the computer mouse. He will cuddle into my chest while I stroke him and gently ruffle the feathers around his neck and on the top of his head, all the while making small, quiet litte noises which sound very content. He walks around with me in the house and the garden, on my shoulder, and I found that whenever he is a little insecure, he will lean towards my face for a kiss on the beak, just for reassurance. Once I've given him his kiss, he is quite happy. He's extremely bolshi, though, when you try and take something away from him, eg, if he has managed to get hold of something he shouldn't have. He will drop the article, extend his wings slightly, lower his head and fluff out his head feathers until his head is almost square. Then, head fluffed and lowered, he will charge at you to defend his prize. It's the most comical thing you've ever seen! However, I usually give him something else to play with if I have to take something away from him, so his bad temper never lasts more than a few seconds.

My problem seems to have arisen with the arrival of my daughter and granddaughter to stay. The little girl is almost two years old and is obsessed with the bird. We have managed to convince her to leave him alone (although this admonition has to be repeated often) but I think the damage has been done. Bubbles is losing the feathers on his head and around his neck. In fact, his usually sleek and perfect feathers are looking decidedly unsleek. He is still eating well, his droppings haven't changed colour or consistency and he is still as affectionate as ever to me. I don't, however, (and never have) allowed strangers to get close to him because it scares him.  He still preens and doesn't seem to be pulling his feathers out - they seem to be falling out on their own. In any event, he would surely be unable to pull out the feathers on the top of his head.

I am giving him extra attention and lots of cuddles in the hope that the problem will right itself, but would like your opinion on it.

Many thanks for making yourself available to help on the Internet. I live in a small town which doesn't have an avian vet, so your assistance is double appreciated.

Kind regards,
PAT KENDERDINE

Answer
Hi, Pat.

THANK YOU for providing so much detail.  It helps immensely in trying to provide assistance.  You've done great with this bird!  I think the problem with the feather loss can be attributed to possibly 2 things or a combination.

Your bird could be molting.  In fact, he could be in a heavy molt this time of year.  In addition, I think the feather loss could be related to the stress of the additional family members in the home.  Parrots love routine.  When their routine is disrupted, it can result in stress.  Your bird has been used to you only and now there are others in the home.  Making matters worse is the fact that your bird doesn't trust people besides yourself.  

Obviously, with new people in the home, I'm sure you want your bird to be friendly with all.  However, this may not be possible with this bird since he's so bonded with you.  This transition will have to be made gradually.  In other words, gradually introduce your daughter/granddaughter to your bird.  Start with your daughter first, as a lot of parrots tend to have issues with children because of the way children behave (quick movements, possibly crying around the bird...some birds don't like this as it reminds them of baby birds crying, poking fingers at the bird/in the cage, etc.).  However, your bird may not want to be friendly with others...parrots tend to bond with 1 individual...or vice versa.  It might be necessary to move your bird to a different location in the home until he gets more used to the additional family members, however, the added stress could make things worse.  This would depend on your bird's individual personality.  I do believe the feather loss is due to stress based on the information you've provided.

Chrys