Do your birds do this?

[wrchili]

I'm a new bird owner, so I'm not real sure what is normal and what isn't, but my new bird sometimes squawks then scratches or bites at her feathers. Is there a feather growing in that's bothering her? Is she molting? She acts completely normal besides this. I really can't afford to take her to the vet right now so any help is appreciated. I don't think she has mites. I'm not real sure where she could have gotten them. Do they get allergies? Any help would be appreciated.

[dlaura]

Hi wrchili,
I need to know a bit more about your bird before I could venture a guess. Such as: what type of bird, how long have you had the bird, is the bird taking baths itself, what are you feeding the bird, have you used anything scented around the house, are you cooking with teflon, burning candles, using strong cleaners around the bird? There is so much in our environment that can effect a bird that it is life changing to live with a bird.

[wrchili]

It's a ringneck parakeet. I've had him for a week. He takes baths with me in the shower. I feed him zupreem pellets and fruits and veggies every day. He's also still being handfed. I haven't used anything scented around him. I've been trying really hard to avoid anything like that.

[dlaura]

Well when you are showering with your bird be sure not to get any type of soap on her as they only need plain water to bathe with and if you are getting soap on her that may be irrating her. Otherwise if she is kind of fluffing her feathers and going at a certain area she may just be preening. Sometimes our birds will give a chirp or squawk while preening. Just keep an eye on her and be sure she isn't plucking or anything. Let us know how she is doing as the days go by. Congrats on your new bird.

[wrchili]

Thanks! So far she hasn't plucked anything, but I'll keep my eye out. It's nerve wracking being a new mom. I scrutinize everything she does to make sure she's okay.