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Birds--General/Jenday Conure tail feathers

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Expert: - 11/4/2006


Question
Hello, I have a 9 month old jenday conure and over the last week he/she has
lost every tail feather. I know birds need their tails to balance ( zeke has no
isues with balance at present, thenk god) but im worried that this may mean
stress or illness. How can i tell if he needs to see the vet?
Thanks very much
Concerned Momma

Answer
Hi, Paige.  Thanks for posting!

Young parrots often lose their tail feathers during play.  Is the cage large enough so your conure's tail doesn't touch things inside it's cage?

Also, it's molting season and at 9 months of age, your conure could be going through his/her first molt.  Molting is when a bird looses/replaces every feather on it's body gradually.  

As long as your conure isn't showing signs of illness, I'd say the tail feather loss is one or the other above.  Signs of illness would be sitting fluffed up when not sleeping, weight loss, sitting on cage bottom, change in behavior, change in droppings, not eating/drinking, messy vent, etc.

Come back with any questions.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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