Hey all, I just have a question because I am a little bit concerned about my budgie. I purchased him almost 3 months ago, he was around 8 weeks old at the time.

We went to a renown bird breeder and asked the man to clip his wings for us. He clipped both wings and I noticed he was a little rough when he did it and I don't think the scissors

were very sharp, I was a little scared because when I got my first budgie they only clipped one side of his wing and it was not as close as this man had done.

A few weeks ago the feathers started growning back and I was relieved, however now my budgie keeps pulling the same ones (the primary flight feathers right on the end) out everytime

they reach a certain length, he has done it 3 times now and I have observed that they have blood on the tip and look a bit damaged. Does anyone know what could be wrong or is this normal?

Thanks in advance

 

Hi, is he pulling them out of both wings? Maybe because they were clipped he thinks they shouldn't be there. Or it could be a stress or boredom thing. Does he have a lot to amuse him and time out of the cage etc. it's a bit hard to tell. I haven't had this myself but maybe others have.

Hello, yes he has pulled the longest ones out of both sides, he hasn't pulled out any other feathers on his body or elsewhere though. I had a closer look and I can't see any lumps where they have been pulled out just a tiny bit of dried blood. He is a little bit timid but myself and my partner spend a lot of time with him whenever we are home. We put him outside as much as possible to talk to the wild birds. He has a few toys but only seems interested in his mirror and he is really attatched to his cage. We try to get him out to run around the house but he makes a b line straight for it. Your point about him thinking they shouldn't be there is interesting though

Just another thought if you have had him nearly 3 mths and he was about 8 weeks maybe he's just moulting? Has he had a moult since you have had him?

No he hasn't had a moult yet, which I thought that he might have by now. He seems to have some sort of dislike for these wing feathers he pulled out another one last night (one that was clipped) :S and was trying to pull out his only remaining long wing feather again but I managed to stop him

He's a strange little fellow isn't he. Only other thing have you checked for any mites that may be annoying him? although I'd say it would be other feathers as well as flights if it was that. It may be just like an itch, once he starts he can't stop until it's gone. Once he has pulled them out does he then carry on like a normal bird or does he keep trying to pull at his wings?