Plucking Or Molting?

Question
Hi, I'd really appreciate some advise on my TAG, Buddy. The pet shop told me that Buddy was around 2 years of age. We got him on March 3, 2010. For the first month he has really been happy. Me, my mom, and dad have been taking really good care of him, though we still don't have Harrison's Pellets, we have Fruit Blend from ZuPreem mixed with a normal seed diet. He goes to sleep at around 9:30 to 10:00 and is pretty active. Then one day I see one feather laying on the cage floor, and I'm not to preoccupied, and the next day I see a few feathers. I observed him and saw what he does and he seems to be acting normal.Its like the feathers just randomly fall! This is my first African Grey, and I was wondering if TAG's molt in the spring or if you could tell me what time they molt, because when I checked his feathers I see some pin feathers (Or atleast I think), they look like a little white stick and a little bit of the feather poking out the end. The feathers sometimes come out at any moment and sometimes he just takes them out with no effort at all. By now he has taken one minor tail feather, a few back feathers and some neck feathers. I dont think s/he's molting. Any advise?

Answer
-- This is molting season; however, birds actually molt year 'round when it comes to smaller feathers such as the downy fluff and some of the little body feathers.

As long as you are seeing pin feathers coming in and not bald spots, chances are the bird isn't plucking, but it's VERY wise of you to want to catch it early rather than let it go on too long.


These days it's actually recommended that only about 20% of the overall diet be from seeds.  Some experts feel that our companion birds shouldn't have any seeds at all anymore.  A base diet of pellets and plenty of fresh foods is ideal.


 Check this site for a lot more about feeding and feathers  www.4AnimalCare.org