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Birds--General/parakeet illnss

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Expert: - 1/24/2007


Question
My parakeet seems to have redness on the top of his head, and what looks like hard white bristles or feather tips protruding from this area. The redness looks like it was bloodied or is a sore. The bird shows no others signs of illness. No mites visible. Ideas?

Answer
Hi, Michael.  Thanks for posting!

Are there any other birds present in the same cage?  

The "white bristles" or "feather tips" you describe are most likely just that...from your description, I'd say these are new feathers (called pin feathers) coming in.  Your bird is most likely in a molt.

The redness could be from another bird in the same cage preening this bird in this location (incoming feathers often itch and a companion bird helps with preening in certain unreachable locations on the body) causing the area to bleed, could be a broken "blood feather."  A blood feather is a new, incoming feather that still has a blood supply.  If a blood feather gets broken (from preening, rubbing, etc.), it will bleed.  (Feathers that are finished growing lose their blood supply and don't bleed if broken off.)  Could also be an injury of some sort.  

Does this sound like what you are seeing?  If not, give me some more details.

As long as the area isn't bleeding, I'd recommend waiting a few days/week to see if new feathers coming in take care of the problem.

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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