What does a molt look like?

OK, here I go showing my ignorance again. I found some spray (Parrot Bath Spray by Mango Pet Products) that has "Aloe, Omega 3, and Omega 6 oils in a non-residual blend" that seems to have made Bucky much more comfortable. However, while he's preening (which I closely observe), I've noticed that he still pulls some feathers out. Yesterday and the day before he pulled out two feathers from his inner wing area which appear to be identical. I didn't notice if they were from opposite sides, which I understand is important in the molting process. Also, he didn't squawk when he pulled them out. He just reached around, found the feather and nipped it on out - no big production.

Anyway, my question is - do birds pull out feathers when they're molting too? I know he's been plucking under his wings and around his legs because he has bald spots, and that's not normal. But I'm wondering if he's beginning a molt at the same time. Do any of my more experienced comrades have any feedback for me on this subject? Again, thanks for help. You don't know how I appreciate you.

Oh yes. If they are preening and come across a loose feather it will fall out and it kind of looks as if it might have been plucked. I've seen this happen with one of Scooter's long tail feathers and then the feather got used for a toy for a bit. Makes my husband crazy, he's afraid using feathers as toys will encourage plucking, but I'm not so sure. As far as I can tell they aren't PERFECTLY symmetric in the molt, but they are very close to symmetric. So for example the same flight feather on left and right won't drop at exactly the same time, but if the left one goes, the right one will probably go before another left one does, so they stay kind of balanced.

I hate when they go through it. Clyde lost the longest tail feather, and was starting to look more like a parrotlet.

During a molt they're practically falling apart, raining feathers. Ducky will shake himself and several feathers will poof off of him. He has a broken tail feather right now and it's killing me not to pull it out of his butt. Yes, when they're preening and there's a loose feather, out it comes.

Preen him with your fingers. If he's molting, a few feathers will probably easily come out when you're preening him. Right now's the time for it. Most of my birds are dropping feathers right now. And no, they don't necessarily molt symmetrically.

Did the vet say anything about the plucking starting right after starting the worming? Allergic reaction to the wormer/worms? Not sure if you can use a mild hydrocoritisone spray.

zazanomore wrote:

I hate when they go through it. Clyde lost the longest tail feather, and was starting to look more like a parrotlet.

That's what I think makes Sputnik so funny looking too! He goes from having such a long, graceful look to a chubby, stubby little chicken/parrotlet!