At last, some answers (?)

[GreyFeathers]

Some background on Calypso:
I adopted Calypso in early October, a relatively short time ago. She came to me as a plucker, and her former owner said that yes, she has taken Caly to the vet after the plucking started- the vet apparently did not find anything wrong.

Calypso ate Zupreem until yesterday, when she made the full conversion to Harrison's Coarse High Potency pellets. I've read great things about Harrison's, and agree with those who feel that Zupreem (with all of its bright colors) is too artificial. It seems that with some birds, feeding Harrison's pellets is enough to stop feather-picking all on its own.

I bought a manzanita bird stand for Calypso today, along with 10 pounds (!) of Harrison's. I also bought a soothing aloe product to spray on Calypso.

After I placed Caly on her new bird stand, and settled in next to her with the newspaper, I noticed her itching herself a bit. This was not unusual, but then:

Calypso began itching herself all over, and didn't stop for a long time!

Caly itched her chest, under her wings, around her tail... everywhere. I finally saw her pluck two downy feathers in the course of her itching, which she had always done in secret (both the plucking, and apparently the itching too!).

I immediately realized that Calypso HAS to go to the vet to rule out yeast, allergies, or any other organic reason for her feather-picking. I suspect that her former owner DID NOT take Caly to the vet for a work-up. The woman has always told me "She just does that."

I regret I did not take Caly to the vet myself when I first got her a few months ago. I just went on the woman's word that Caly is a feather-picker due to behavioral reasons.

I am going to schedule a vet appointment ASAP. It's too bad I have such a busy week next week!

I strongly recommend that even if you got your bird as a plucker, you take it to the vet so you can know for yourself what is going on.

For so long I thought that Caly was always going to yank out her feathers, and that she has behavioral issues causing her to pluck. These may both still be true, but I *really* feel that my poor bird's itchiness is the reason for her plucking.

I will let you all know what the vet tells me about Calypso.

[doubleyolk]

Good luck with the Vet visit. Those little fluffy white down feathers are always falling out of Greys and other parrots,it's nothing to worry about.

[fozzie62]

Oh what a house would be with out the little fluffy white feathers!

[Deb717]

And they are impossible to pick up!