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About Rev. 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

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Pet Birds > Parrots > feather plucking

Parrots - feather plucking

Expert: Rev. Dr. S.August Abbott - 10/30/2009

Question
i just bought a breeding pair cockatiel, female lutino keeps plucking her self, is there any help, previous owners left birds outside with dirty cage, no food dirty water etc, they have one unfertiled egg, could that be why she is plucking herself, sometimes the male will come over and pluck her as well, can u lead me in the right directions?

Answer
One of the most common causes of self plucking like this is nutritional insufficiencies, which is in line with the background you've described.

When another bird, including a mate, begins plucking that bird you may be dealing with a space issue. It could also be both.

Tell me more about what you're feeding and their cage conditions now. How big ? Any nest box or other nesting material?

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