parakeet wing problem

Question
Dianna,
Hello. The last time my birds wings were clipped was the end of August. We have recently been trying to get "her" out of her cage more and I'm wondering if she may have hurt herself as she has tried to fly, ususally quite unsuccessfully, back to her  cage.

Her left wing is missing the longer feathers that look like the point at the end of the wing, her right side is not( this is the second time in about 3 moths that she has lost those feathers). She has been losing a number of feathers in the last couple of weeks ( is this normal moulting time?) (also, her cage buddy, another parakeet, is now losing his, having startes a week after the first). After being out of her cage, she is now lifting the left wing and trying to open it. The wing itself trembles as she does this. She is doing this action frequently, sometimes opening the right one s well, bringing them up to the middle of her back.

I have made an appointment for Monday afternoon, but was online hoping to find some info before then. I feel so bad for her and so helpless. I'm wondering if a feather is out of place and bothering her, could the wing be broke or could there be parasites under the wing?

To top it all off, I had a cockateil die suddenly, without visible warning (at least to an untrained eye) on Wed. and so I am even more stressed wondering if there is something viral running through the birds, as they were housed next to each other.

I'd be greatful for any thoughts you have.

melissa

Answer
Hello Melissa.  Thank you for your post.
To start off with, I'd like to say that I am sorry for your loss.  I know how heartbreaking it can be to lose a little feathered friend suddenly.
Without seeing the birds, it's really difficult to tell what's wrong with them.  Birds do lose their feathers all the time, and I know that mine are all molting (I currently have 6), and a few of them have lost their long feathers on their wings and/or tails.
It is possible that your parakeet has a pin feather that is bothering her.  I had a cockatiel that did the same thing, but he did a self mutilation thing, so he was pretty much bald when I got him in.
How old was your cockatiel?  There might be an infection going through your birds, but again, without seeing the birds, it's hard to tell.
Do you use Teflon coated pans around the birds?  Do you use perfumes, hairsprays, room deodorizers, scented candles, or household cleaners around the birds?  These can all be extremely fatal to a bird, as can be certain houseplants.
I am sorry to be asking you so many questions when you are looking for an answer, but I am trying to rule out certain things.

Please keep me informed on how your parakeet is doing.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna