AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question Hello. The babies have starting coming out of the nest box and up to this
point there feather development has appeared normal. But now that the head
feathers are coming in the mother has started feather picking the babies. We
have segregated the mama bird and daddy bird if very good with the care and
feeding. Do I keep the mama in another room or the same room? How long
till the crest etc come back? Babies started hatching May 31. What should
they look like by now?
Answer It’s not something we see everyday, but sometimes a parent (or even both parents) will begin feather plucking their chicks. Sometimes it’s a matter of mom (the usual culprit) getting carried away while preening. It’s perfectly normal for her to pull the downy feathers away for her babies as they grow new ones and eventually come into their full feathers.
In some cases, Nutrition/Malnutrition – which may also cause or be symptomatic of liver problems is a cause of feather plucking.
Poor or improper nutrition accounts for up to 90% of feather plucking problems according to some published veterinary medical studies and research.
Sleep deprivation may also contribute to this (and sometimes increased screaming and nipping). Birds need 12 hours of sleep time, preferably the same hours every day. For example, if you tend to get up at 7 a.m. every morning, try to put the bird to bed at 7 p.m. every night and make it your priority when you get up (don’t leave them covered/in sleep cages while they can hear you up and about or it will only lend to their frustration and possibly stress levels).
When a parent starts plucking chicks, another problem that may arise is their tossing of the chicks (out of the nest) or worse, fatally harming it.
