Moustache Parakeet Feathers

Question
Hi Chrys,

Thank you so much for the speedy reply.  I feed Diego ZuPreem Avian Maintenance Natural for Parakeets and Small Parrots.  I also supplement his diet with Zupreem Avian Maintenance Fruit Blend for Medium Parrots (in a separate dish on top of his cage).  He seems to like these staple foods.  I also feed him peanuts (4-8 a day) and fresh carrots, apples, lettuce and breads.  Anything he doesn't like he throws away.  Diego cleans himself regularly.  Everytime I change his water (filtered) he plops himself in for a bath, so I usually give him fresh water for drinking after he bathes.  I will spray his back and wipe down his cage once a week  .  He preens all the time, but I have not noticed him plucking himself.  There are no bald spots on him.  As for lighting, I do live in a lower level apartment.  The lighting is not the brightest, but it is not a basement dwelling.  I keep my window blinds open  for the duration of daylight to maximize natural light in my place.  I used to have Diego by the window, but he seemed to get stressed out by passing cars, so I have moved him further into my apartment.  He is centrally located, but I do not have much traffic in my place other than myself. I hope this extra info is helpful.  Any suggestions are appreciated.  I have also left a message with a local animal care facility for a referral.

Thanks, Kevin.


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Followup To
Question -
Hello Chrys,

8 months ago I adopted a Moustache Parakeet who will be 6 in August 2004.  When I got him he was ruffled and greasy. After 3 weeks with me, his feathers were clean and perfect and his temperament improved 100%.  Diego is a loving, friendly and energetic Parakeet.  Lately (in the last 3 weeks) I have noticed he has quieted down a lot and he has dropped a lot of his white down feathers.  His other feathes mainly on his legs and upper wings are coarse and ruffled.  I thought this was a moulting thing, but I feel it is going on for too long.  He has stopped dropping the white down, but his legs and wings are not improving.  The rest of him looks fine.  As I have had only budgies for most of my life, I can't tell if this is normal for this breed.  I have searched the internet for indepth info on this breed and found very little.  I have gone to the Pet store to look for medicine of sorts, but I found only meds that are for smaller birds (most of the pet store employees seemed uncertain about larger birds). I am currently looking into a Vet who is knowledgable with exotic birds, but can you advise on the possible cause of Diego's condition.

Many Thanks,
Kevin
Answer -
Hi, Kevin.  Thanks for posting your concern.  When was the last time your keet had a bath?  A lot of times, these ruffled, ugly looking feathers are caused by a bird needing a bath.  Also, the complete moulting process takes at least a month, so Diego could still be moulting, especially since you state he has quieted down a lot lately.  Moulting is a very stressful process for a bird...this could explain the quietness.  Birds moult every feather on their bodies, including the down feathers, so it doesn't sound to me like he has finished moulting.  Does it appear Diego could be starting to pluck himself at all?  What about Diego's diet (what do you feed him)?  A bird's featheration (or lack of it) is directly related to it's diet and health in general.  This could also be a medical-related problem, so it is great that you are in the process of taking him to an avian vet.  Medical conditions should be ruled out first.  I don't recommend medicines from pet shops.  They usually don't work.  As is most common, pet shops don't usually know much about the birds they sell.  You might want to search out a breeder in your area for help with your parrot.

Moustache parakeets are also known as banded or pink-breasted parakeets.  Technical name is psittacula alexandri fasciata.  Try looking these names up on the Internet for more information.  

It doesn't sound like Diego's home life previously was very good based on the information you provide.  I applaud you for turning his life around.  Are you sure Diego is 6 years old or could he be older?  Does he get enough direct sun light or do you have full spectrum lighting for him inside?  Diet, lighting, bathing, preening, and general health are all areas that are reflected in a bird's feathering.  You need to rule each one out to get to the bottom of the problem (if he's not starting to pluck himself).  It is possible that he's still moulting.

I don't think I've been much help, but I hope so.  If you can provide more information about what's going on with his diet, etc., I'll try to help more.

Chrys  

Answer
Hi, Kevin.  Thanks for the additional information.  The Zupreem is good, but should not be a staple in Diego's diet.  Pellets and fresh, raw vegetables, and other variety of food, should be his main diet.  4-8 peanuts a day is too much fat and is not healthy.  I would recommend taking the 4-8 peanuts down to 1 per day or 1 every other day...seed/nuts should be a treat or reward for positive behavior.  Iceburg lettuce is not good...it has no nutritional value at all.  Kale, mustard greens, collard greens are much better.  Regular breads are OK, but whole wheat or multigrain breads are better.  Try cornbread...all my birds love cornbread, and you can add nutritional supplements or other food variety right in the cornbread and feed it.  Diego needs a more varied diet in my opinion.  Offer more fresh, raw items, such as brocolli, brocoflower, beans...dark green and/or deep orange colored foods are most nutritious.  Birds generally love grapes, but they are mostly water.  Also try pears, cherries, peas, cooked eggs, cantelope, watermelon, pasta (without sauce)...the list of nutritious foods is unlimited.  Basically, whatever is healthy for humans, except chocolate, avacado, citrus seeds, caffeine, salt, sugar, etc.  Be aware that birds won't eat anything they don't recognize as food, therefore, keep offering items he's never seen and he'll eventually try them.   

Lighting - light through a window filters out the good UV rays.  If you don't take Diego outside in a cage, you need to provide full-spectrum lighting inside.  Full-spectrum bulbs can be found in most discount department stores.  

Perhaps with a diet modification and proper lighting, with rule out of any medical conditions, Diego's featheration will improve.

If you go to Google, you can do a search for "avian veterinarians."  This should bring up the Association of Avian Veterinarians website listing.  The AAV will list avian vets by state and then you can list by city to find one close to you.  If looking in the phone book, sometimes avian vets are listed as exotic animal vets.

Let me know Diego's progress.

Chrys