Hello all!

 

I have two Budgies, who seem to be engaging in mating rituals. I've seen all the tell tale signs, but alas, no eggs.

 

Recently, I've noticed that my female budgie has been preening her feathers like crazy (almost to the point... where I'm afraid she's going to begin picking them!)

 

Is this unusual?

 

I read somewhere that some birds make a "brooding patch" when they're about to lay eggs as a method of more adequately transfering heat to the eggs. Is this true of budgies?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

-Dunker

Hi Dunker, Most birds have a brood patch which develops after laying begins, this does not usually involve plucking or preening themselves but rather an increase in blood supply and hence warmth to the lower abdomen area.

One POSSIBILITY is that your bird has picked up fleas or mites.

PLEASE DONT BE OFFENDED BY THIS SUGGESTION IT IS A VERY COMMON THING

If this is likely it can be easily treated with a spray from your local pet store or vet

Where is she preening? Is it an all-over preen, or area specific?