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White powder on bird2007-11-24 17:26:56

I was stroking my pet galah today, and when i stopped i noticed i had a white chalkish substance on my fingers, like a very fine powder, I realised that it had been from my birds feathers,

But she does not look like she has this substance on her, only when you stroke her do you pick it up.

Should i be concerned about this, She is also plucking her feathers.

if she has dry skin could i use fresh aloe vera on her feathers?

thanks

Answers:

Don't be concerned about the white powder. It is from the sheath that coats each feather as it comes through the skin. Each feather has this white coating on it so it can easily slide through the skin. It then comes off in little white dusty bits, usually the bird pulls it off while preening, and the feather fluffs out and looks like you are used to seeing it.

As far as the plucking, your vet can help you find out the cause. You cockatoo may have an allergy to something she eats, she may be nervous, she may have a medical problem. Many things can cause a parrot to pluck their feathers.

If you don't currently give her baths, I would suggest giving her the opportunity to bathe. If you have a clean spray bottle with water, you can mist her with that. She may or may not like it at first. It won't hurt her to get wet, just don't let her get in a breeze or draft while wet. Also, you can put a glass cake pan in her cage with a couple inches of water in it. She can choose to take a bath in there. Just be sure not to use anything except water to bathe her. Sometime just giving the parrot a daily misting to get her good and wet, will help with the plucking.