Birds--General/lovebird

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Expert: - 12/7/2007


Question
I recently got a 5 month old female lovebird about a week ago whose wings were already clipped. Over the past week I have noticed she extends her wings and scratches the undersides of her wings. I havent been able to get a really good look to see if her wings need to be clipped again and I dont know how long ago they were clipped. What would cause this? Second question. She rubs her face and scratches her beak on her sanded perch covers. She has a cuttlebone. Any reason for this?


Answer
Hi, Tara,

Wings aren't clipped....flight feathers are clipped.  When flight feathers are clipped improperly, they can irritate a bird.  In addition, when new feathers start coming in, they can also irritate a bird.  Kind of like new whiskers coming in.  You can easily look at a bird's wings to see if the flight feathers need to be trimmed...there's a link on my website to a picture of a bird's feathers on its wings.  When flights feathers 6-10 are too long, you will be able to see these just looking at the bird.

Usually when a bird rubs their face/beak on things, they are trying to clean their beaks of food, etc.  This is normal.  DO NOT use sandpaper covers on perches.  These are horrible for a bird's feet.  They will actually cause sores on the bottom of your bird's feet.

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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