aaak! Conure blues....

[summer_jackel]

OK, so I love my conure. Bestest conure ever (though I may be biased).

I got bad news, guys. He's plucking. When I came home from work yesterday, I discovered that he'd plucked almost all of the contour feathers from his chest. There may be a couple missing from his back as well.

Yes, I am taking him to the vet ASAP...the excellent albiet somewhat inconvenient-for-me Dr. Rupiper, who has a great reputation. (I like my existing vet OK but I'm taking the extra time and expense now). I've heard that behavioral plucking in GCCs is rare, but I can't exactly *hope* it's a physiological problem. Even though it probably is.

I do have a new job and so he has had a little less out of cage time, but not that much less than he used to...still showers with me, eats breakfast and dinner with me, etc. The only thing wierd with him is that he seems like he's been in moult for a long time...I've been seeing pinfeathers since June. And when I got home today, he had a few new contours on his chest.

I should add that he's never plucked. Last month I was afraid that he might be, but decided it was just a heavy moult since they were all back and shiny in a couple of days. Again, behavioral plucking appears to be rare in this species of parrot.

Hell. There's something wrong with my parrot, and I'm scared. I've not exactly had stellar luck with them, but Gavin is exceptionally dear to me and if anything happened to him...

Well, think good thoughts at my small green pain-in-the-ass companion, guys. He certainly isn't acting any differently. Sitting on my knee right now looking quizzical, in fact. Hopefully he will enjoy the cagefull of new toys I just got him. If it IS behavioral...well...he's gonna have to get a new cage, and everything. Possibly that aviary I've been eyeing at the local bird store.

Comments

[genmaicha.livejournal.com]

Dr. Rupiper is really fabulous. We took Tag to see him today and he was full of explanation and everything else.

I hope the cause of Gavin's plucking is easily determined. Love for the little monster.

[tinygalaxies.livejournal.com]

Poor little bum. Buy him some new toys? :)

[kynekh-amagire.livejournal.com]

There are a couple of members of this community who've had plucking cheekies.

sivholm's greencheek began plucking after a move:
http://community.livejournal.com/parrot_lovers/1821771.html

missbehavann's Ouija plucked his chest for non-medical reasons, also:
http://community.livejournal.com/parrot_lovers/2861340.html

In both cases, the feather-picking didn't last. Greencheeks are pretty temperamentally straightforward, compared to most pet parrots. I'm sure that whatever's causing this behavior, whether psychological or physiological, is nothing you and Gavin can't overcome.

I'm glad he's seeing Rupiper. By far my favorite vet, ever. :> Keep us posted.

[kynekh-amagire.livejournal.com]

Oops, meant to reply in parrot_lovers. :>

[humpingtails.livejournal.com]

Good luck, Summer.

[honehe.livejournal.com]

I hope Gavin'll be okay and everything works out. Good luck. :)