You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Pet Birds
- Birds--General
- Quaker bird chewing?
Birds--General/Quaker bird chewing?
Advertisement
Question
Hello I have a question with my pet quaker parrot. She has been chewing under it's right wing and there are no feathers just skin and it continues to chew at it. Is there anything I can do to treat my bird. The bird is four years old and very healthy. It eats and is in no pain at all. It acts normal everyday just chew at it feathers.
Hi, Chris.
Have you looked closely at the area, even using a magnifying glass to see what the problem might be? It could just be pin (new) feathers trying to come in which itch/irritate the bird and the bird is plucking the feathers/scratching the area. Some birds pick certain areas of their body to pluck when they are bored or have some other psychological problem. Does your bird have plenty of toys and/or other mental stimulation throughout the day? What type of diet? A poor diet (i.e., all seed) can result in feathers plucking issues. Does your bird bathe? If not, regular bathing could prevent feather/skin problems. It could also be dry skin...is your home/environment dry? Might need to invest in a humidifier. As you can see, there are numerous reasons why your bird might be chewing in this area.
Treating the problem depends on what the problem is. You need to figure this out first if possible. It's usually a process of elimination. If you can provide more details, I might be able to help out further.
Chrys
Related Articles
- Bird Feather Conditioners - Do Birds Need a Feather Conditioner - Feather Sprays
- Why Do Birds Pluck Their Feathers - Bird Feather Plucking - Parrot Feather Plucking
- Flight Feathers - The Flight Feathers of Birds
- How to Fix a Broken Blood Feather - What to Do if Your Bird Breaks a Blood Feather
- Feather - Feather Anatomy and Function
Answers by Expert:
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.