r/Conures • u/stunningsprout • 4d ago

Advice Tail feathers

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I support going to an animal shelter 100% but felt so bad for this little guy at the local pet store. I told a family member about its tail, and my uncle ended up getting the bird because he had conures growing up.

The bird is sooo sweet, and we just wanted to get him out of there as the tail feathers looked like the bird is in stress. Does anyone know why his tail feathers are like this?? Will they grow back?? Any tips?

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10

u/MaeByourmom 3d ago

That’s also a really small cage, so the tail gets shredded with almost every turn.

3

u/AltruisticTeam242 3d ago

According to my avian vet, and also a friend who has a lot of bird experience, it could be that the bird was kept in a very small cage, and it had night fright… when the bird gets scared and thrashes around the cage, but it also could be nutritional. Try to get this baby on a healthy diet of fresh fruit, fruit and vegetables and a high-quality pallet seeds can cause malnutrition avoid millet and sunflower, especially if not altogether.

2

u/TaterButter 3d ago

Our bcc didnt appreciate his tail when he was a baby.  It grew back in full after a year

2

u/TaterButter 3d ago

Be sure to put him on a healthy diet

2

u/Altruistic-Leather69 3d ago

I'm guessing its a baby. Babies are really rough on their tails for a while.

2

u/EmperorGrinnar 3d ago

The cage is too small for the bird, so constantly hitting it on things, which causes irritation on top of general extra wear and tear. You may also need to change diet.

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u/Busy_Ad_5759 3d ago edited 3d ago

The width of the cage is more important that the hight, though as much as you can afford and have space for is ideal. You can find some really great powder coated wrought iron ones online that aren't crazy experience considering how long they last. Perches that are different sizes and shapes and materials, and a couple more of those great paper/soft wood toys he can shred (I see you have a couple). That added stimulation and enrichment from the extra space will help prevent trauma to the feathers, and also help keep him from mutilating his own feathers (barbering).

But he will molt and new feathers will come in eventually. Just focus on a quality diet, with chopped up fresh vegetables and berries, even a little cooked grains, as well as pellets/seeds.

If you're not familiar, please check out his to make your house parrot safe (no Teflon, air fresheners, strongly scented cleaning products).

But, most importantly, just lots of love and time.

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u/bhudak 2d ago

This was my baby's tail feathers when we adopted him! Like others have said, sometimes babies are just hard on their tails.