Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 10/25/2006

Question
I am sorry that I did not specify that the birds in question were lovebirds.  These love birds are older than the second batch by four months. All of their feathers have grown out except for the tail feathers. Is it for this reason that they are unable to fly?  As for their diet.  I buy them a special blend that contains every kind of seed imaginable for a well balanced diet.  This blend is fed to all my lovebirds and all are doing fine white the exception of these two.  As a last resource I have been thinking of taking them to the vet.  Am hopping that you might have a solution and that what is wrong with my babies is nothing of great concern.
Thank you
  Terry  

Answer
Hi again, Terry.

Lack of tail feathers wouldn't keep them from being able to fly, however, they may not WANT to fly without their tail feathers.  Tail feathers act as rudders for birds.  Without these rudders, they can't control their flying and landings.  When a bird can't control it's flight and landing, they don't like to fly.  Some baby parrots lose their tail feathers due to playing, etc.  Is the cage large enough for all the lovies you have in the cage?  If not, this could be another reason why your young lovebirds don't have tail feathers.  Their cage needs to be large enough so that each bird in the cage can vigorously flap it's wings without any part of it's wings, body, head, tail touching anything inside the cage (including toys, dishes, etc.), with room to spare.

The diet you have your lovebirds on is not sufficient.  It doesn't matter how many different types of seed are in the mix.  Seed is high in fat and low in nutrition.  Although your lovies might be fine now, this high fat/low nutrition diet will take their toll as they grow older.  You need to get your lovies accustomed to eating a large variety of foods and pelleted foods, with seed being an occasional treat and/or reward for positive behavior.  Visit my website for more information on diet, etc.:  

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html  

Based on the information you've provided in your posts, I don't believe your lovies are ill.  However, you know your birds better than anyone else...if you think they need to go to the birdie vet, then by all means, take them!

Come back with any questions.

Chrys