Lost a Tail Feather

[caseyandmikey]

A few days ago one of Mikey's tail feathers was in his food bowl. He is going to be 6 months old in March. Is this normal for him to do? He hasn't lost any other feathers. Also when he preens he is always pulling off little bits of fluff. Is this him shedding his baby feathers or do greys do this all their lives? Do you think losing this one tail feather is something to worry about? He is eatting, pooping, playing, talking and whistling so other than this he seems fine. Thank you for any help.

[JillyBeanz]

Harvey lost his first tail feather around the same age - and I panicked too! It's totally normal ~ it may have been damaged in his cage or a new one may be coming through. Harvey is missing a couple at the minute and it's taking forever for them to come through - but don't worry.

You will find the downy feathers forever ~ I'm sure I've had enough to stuff a good duvet! Harvey seems to preen his downy feathers in his cage overnight - I find a lot of them in his cage.

Don't worry - it's absolutely normal

[caseyandmikey]

Thank you very much for your reply Jill. They sure know how to keep us on our toes and always asking questions about them. Now I can scrap book the feather without worry. Thank you

[Xtreme575]

I agree with Jill, although I haven't had tail feathers yet, I have had a few good sized grey feathers.

The fluff, that's a lifetime thing... I had to get a housekeeper to help me keep up with those, she calls them "his damned fur"!

[Joolesgreyuk]

Beau's molt has gone into overdrive the past couple of weeks, it has gone from loads of white downy feathers to 2 tail feathers and the last few days he has lost lots of grey wing feathers - some of them are big ones and he has even lost some small red bum feathers LOL.

I've even began to wonder if Beau is in fact over-preening or plucking. I hope this isn't the case.

[caseyandmikey]

They sure do lose a lot of downy feathers you are lucky to have help Xtreme575. They are very soft though. Everytime he pulls some off I say "baby fluff" I guess that has to stop if it lasts forever lol.
Wow Jooles that is a lot of feathers they must be very pretty. I sure hope you are right and it is just his molt. I hope he isn't plucking and wish you the best with him.

[judygram]

Its all normal for them to preen out little fluffs of downy feathers and they are all over the house, its hard to keep them under control, I quit fighting it and so what if you see a few in my house, who cares, I have two birds and I don't care if my house is not spotless clean.