My friend's partner went and brought a budgie from a pet store and rang me the other night so I went and had a look. It has some feathers missing on the shoulder areas. They have had him a month now and say it was like it when they got him. One says it has got worse but the other doesn't think it has.. I took some pics and here are the best 2, well I hope they work.

 

 

 

Sorry second picture to large, I will make it smaller then post it.

 

I said it could be the other birds picking on him or stress I'v never seen it on the shoulders like that before.

Has anyone? any info would be great.

Thank you.

no i have never seen it before. perhaps its nothing serious. it may be that she wasa little bullied in the pet store by another budgie.

someone more experienced than me will come and help you.

sorry.

it looks to me like the other budgies in petstore have been plucking this little one. It will take time for the feathers to grow back, but so long as feather follicles havent been damaged, there shouldnt be a proble. It is also possible that birdie has been plucking itself, mites and irritation could cause this to happen. Personally, I always make a point of getting any feathered newcomer to my group treated by the vet for feathermite, and also a general check-up, can save a lot of distress and expense further down the line

Just one more point, to me, that wing clip looks too severe, a severe clip can cause a bird to self mutilate. Please advise your friend that too severe a clip can actually lead to serious injury, and even the death of the budgie, as a heavy fall can easily snap the birds keel bone, causing death in most cases. This bird will need to be closely monitored to be sure that it dosent try to fly from to great a height, or it could have a very nasty landing. (not jumping on you/your friend over this, but its worth bearing in mind. Also, another guideline to clipping, never clip only one wing, as a bird trying to fly and negotiate 'steering and balance' with one clipped wing is akin to us trying to jog an a high heeled stilletto and a trainer on the other foot Not easy! Vet is best to be honest when it comes to trimming flight feathers, especially if its a novice bird owner. (unclipped, generally, is better still )

okay, I think Ive covered the clipping bit, *no beatings up on this poster please guys!*

Let us know how the bird goes on please, it will be interesting to know if its something other than 'bully-plucking'

Thanks,

Anne

Hi Lady, have moved this topic to the health section, as it is not a genetic or mutation quiery. Here it is more likely to pull in more helpful responses for you.

Cheers,

Anne

Thanks Chirpy for the reply and moveing my post (silly me)

But on the serious side they did buy mite spray and have done that. I told them to clean his cage and to watch him to make sure he is not doing it.

Here is the other picture and both wings have been cliped

 

This is the other side and is nearly the same. I will tell them the info you have given me Chirpy and thanks again.

He looks plucked to me. I think as chirpy said the feathers should grow back alright as it doesn't look too bad. I would take him to the vet though, as I think it is somewhat odd that the plucked areas are where he can reach easily. Usually I've seen the plucking occurs on the back of the head or the back of the bird if it is being done by another bird. It is in the same place on both sides, so it's possible he has some type of infection and is self-plucking.

Thanks Rainbow and Chirpy I will let them know. Have been busy with kids, hopefully give them a call tomorrow.

Thanks again

Just another quick point Lady, the 'over-the-counter' mite sprays really arnt (in my oppinion) worth buying, the only mite treatment worth its salt is the veterinary one. Also, using any form of aerosol round a bird is not advisable (again, IMO)

Thankyou for caring enough to seek help and guidance for your friends bird, if they on the net, why not invite them along to join this happy family?

Anne