Why is my cockatiel shedding feathers?
Pet birds can lose feathers for a number of reasons. Common problems include moulting (either normal or abnormal), stress (many causes), feather destructive behaviour, excessive preening by a parent or cage mate and viral or bacterial infections.
How often do cockatiels molt their feathers?
Cockatiels start their adult molt between 6-12 months old – just depends on the bird and sometimes the weather. Warmer weather can trigger a molt. He will always lose feathers and grow more, but once or twice a year he will go through a heavy molt like he is doing now.
How often do cockatiels shed their baby feathers?
This is when they shed their baby feathers: before the initial molt, all wild type cockatiels are grey, whereas the males develop a yellow face once they become adults. After this first molt, your cockatiel will continue to go through heavy shedding about twice a year (and very light molting throughout all months).
What does a cockatiel look like when its molting?
A cockatiel can look pretty disturbing during a heavy molt if it has lots of pinfeathers, since they look almost wormy, but it’s completely natural! Did you know? Many birds molt during springtime. This way they can look fresh during the nesting months and attract a mate with their lush new feather coat.
Why does a cockatiel have a pinfeather on its beak?
A pinfeather is basically a developing feather covered in a sheath of keratin (the material that feathers, beaks and nails are made from). This sheath offers protection, which comes in handy as developing feathers are directly connected to the cockatiels’ blood supply and can cause very serious bleeding when damaged.
What should I do if my cockatiel keeps plucking his feathers?
A small whisk-broom or piece of all-cotton rope offer preening opportunities. Change your bird’s toys, even if you simply rotate the same toys every other week. If your cockatiel’s plucking stems from boredom or if you need to redirect his behavior, rotating the toys is helpful.
What does it mean when a cockatiel sheds its feathers?
Your Cockatiel’s Molting Process: Out with the old feathers and in with the new. Molting is the shedding of your cockatiel’s old feathers to make room for new feathers growing in. Your cockatiel’s feathers are not only beautiful, they also serve many important functions including: Insulating your bird’s body to keep her temperature normal.
Is it normal for a cockatiel to molt?
Cockatiel molting is the term that describes this necessary and beneficial process. However, while cockatiel molting is normal, it is important to be able to distinguish normal molting from abnormal molting or feather plucking or pulling. In this article, learn what you need to know about cockatiel molting to help your bird stay healthy.
A pinfeather is basically a developing feather covered in a sheath of keratin (the material that feathers, beaks and nails are made from). This sheath offers protection, which comes in handy as developing feathers are directly connected to the cockatiels’ blood supply and can cause very serious bleeding when damaged.
How long does it take a cockatiel to get a new feather?
It takes 7 to 10 days for a new feather, ( blood feather) to begin emerging after one was shed then an additional 6 to 8 weeks for the blood feather to grow in completely. The entire process from loss of a feathers to replacement of a fully grown, mature feather can take up to 10 weeks or longer depending on an individual bird.
