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Hey Jackyboy, I'm so sorry to hear about the bad wing clip - went through the same thing with our bird (take a look at past posts); anyway, glad to hear problem is taken care of because your birdy might have ended up plucking if it wasn't managed well! Zahzu has gone under anaesthetic 3 times this past few months, as a result of the bad wing clip, and spent a few weeks feather plucking! She seems to have stopped now, but has no flight feathers, and on her left side of her body looks really ratty! Make sure you keep a very close eye on things, and if any additional irritation occurs or behaviour changes - take her to the vet. Good luck btw, we didnt' change the cage zahzu is in, she's still in her big cage -Sameera

Awww... that's so sweet that you were able to give scratches Keep up the great work - if this is the progress you've made in only 10 days, its sure that you will have a very happy and healthy relationship with your CoCo for the rest of the time you spend together. -Sameera

Thanks for your support guys Zahzu is really back to her old self - she's just so cuddly and sweet and is now learning to sing twinkle twinkle! lol. She won't stop talking!

Ok - I voted, but wasn't sure if it was current age that was required, or when talking started. Zahzu said 'hello' at 3 months, now she's 11 months and says over 20 words. She gets called 'cuckoo' quite often by myself and my husband, and today she came up with a new sentence: "I want a cuckoo". I was busy with a client when she said it, and I couldn't resist but to crack up laughing! So did the client! Heeheheh...

Thanks for your support guys Zahzu is really back to her old self - she's just so cuddly and sweet and is now learning to sing twinkle twinkle! lol. She won't stop talking!

Hey guys! How are you all? Zahzu is doing great - since her last vet visit during which all the damaged feathers were removed - she has started talking, manipulating and being a downright brat again!! I'm so happy! Best of all - the feather plucking has completely stopped. I'm amazed! Today I had to go out for most of the day - and not a single feather was to be found in the bottom of her cage. I'm continuing to keep her busy, give her lots of interesting looking food and treats and generally watching out for any 'plucky' behaviour. It's amazing - my husband and I think that she must have been in a lot of pain and discomfort due to uncomfortable feathers on the left side of her body - thats why she was trying to 'fix' the problem herself. The change is amazing - she's talking SOOO much..she's back to her lovable, adorable self. I'm so relieved! Her favourite toy is macaroni- i'm threading it onto cotton twine, and she chews it up into smithereens! Anyway, thought I'd share the good news with you all.... I just hope it continues this way and she doesn't revert back to plucking.... oh, and she didn't get any sedative/antidepressant medication - the vet said that would only be necessary if she is still plucking after a month or so. -Sameera

Scorpio that is excellent news, and small claims court is a good idea! I don't know anything about US law, but I do watch Judge Judy!:silly: I really hope everything goes well from now, main main thing is that Scar is doing well. -Sameera

Berna, I am so sorry to hear this sad news. *hugs* It must have been really shocking; however from what you have described it sounds like your baba did not suffer so much, and now he's at peace in birdy heaven. Not all can be fun and games an happy endings - unfortunately this is life. Just seek comfort in knowing, that you were always there for him, you did your best for him and for the short life he had - he had all the love anyone's little heart could desire! Keep up the brilliant work! -Sameera

Hey guys! I think what the vet was saying is what lovemyGreys said - that plucking occurs in captive greys, not wild. Anyway, We went in for feather removal today - the vet showed me the feathers he took out and said that we need to increase the 'healthy' fats in her diet - give her more seeds and 8 peanuts (human grade) per day. Also increase the nuts we give her, and ofcourse continue with fruit and vege. He said lots of melons and berries - things like that. We're very stingy on the 'fatty' foods such as seeds with Zahzu because there are so many warnings of the problems of overweight birds! Anyway, I'll be in the kitchen making nutty things for her and all sorts of healthy treats for the rest of the day. Since she's come home (about 2 1/2 hours) she hasn't plucked at all. Vet said after 2 or 3 weeks if she is still plucking we'll try the medication; and after 3 months he will repeat the process of removing damaged follicles. Anyway, my next post will be about something fun I hope! ;-) -Sameera

We just use a normal 40watt bedside lamp

The new vet isn't actually an avian vet - however he knows what he is doing, and seems to be more aware of bird psychology than the previous vet. A friend of my hubby had a bird who was plucking and highly recommends this particular vet we are taking Zahzu to. Anyway, the vet also said something that really struck a nerve to me - he said African Greys are not domesticated - they are wild animals, and this is a huge part of why they pluck - because captivity is just not natural to them. It makes one think twice about keeping a bird captive. Food for thought. -Sameera

We also keep a night light on for Zahzu - her cage is covered so it just gives enough light for her to see where she's going if she's moving around. I used to have a budgie who used to get shocks or nightmares in the night and the problem with him was solved with a nightlight - so with Zahzu just thought we'd use one incase -Sameera

Hey guys. Noticed a green area under the left wing she's been shreading - so rushed her to the vet - and I'm SOOOO HAPPY - this vet was the one who is ill but he's at work! Yay! He is wonderful - he said it may be dye that is injected to indicate she's a female - or it may be a bruise from trauma (I'm guessing the other vet was very rough with her which caused the bruise - however that is just speculation!)... Anyway, he has his assistant hold her and said I musn't be associated with the pain or shock in any way. Anyway, tomorrow she needs to go in and get anaesthetic again to remove damaged feathers. What happened was that last time the other vet (let's call him Dr. Evil maybe??) removed the feathers, he damaged others in the process - and these have been poking and irritating her. So, the vet feels this is a continuation of when she had a bad wing clip. This kinda explains why most of the barbering is on the left side. I'm just feeling so much better after seeing this vet. Also, he said that she will need to be on a bird sedative - i forget the name now - but he said it works quite well to stop plucking. He said he will probably remove all the feathers on the left wing also. Has anyone else had to give their bird a sedative or anti-depressant for plucking? I've read about this as a treatment on the internet but was just wondering what others think about it??? -Sameera

Hey guys, So since our vet visit: Zahzu has plucked out a whole lot more feathers! She now has a bald patch near her bottom- it is sort of the area where the broken feather would have been touching her body, and a bald patch on her body by where her wing connects to her body (like her underarm). Her plucking has definately increased. However, we do notice that it is 95% only on the left side of her body - any ideas with that?? Am trying really had to keep her busy -and whenever she plucks we just ignore her. She's growling when I go to cuddle her, and she's not as affectionate towards me as she used to be - could this be because I'm forcing her to bath?? I put her in the kitchen sink a few times - and she hated this. *sigh* -Sameera

Zahzu will sometimes make a poop with just a tiny bit of the green and white stuff and lots of water if she's just drunk a lot of water and she's really excited. I don't think it's something to worry about if it is just a 'once off' occurrence. What sort of mischief was your boy up to when he pooped like this?

Morning guys! Husband and I were discussing this vet - and yup - conclusion is exactly what you say BMustee! Anyway, we are on the hunt for another vet which is the main thing. Thanks guys for all your support again! -Sameera

Oh - she doesn't have a bald patch at all! phew. it was an area where she's getting pin feathers on her body. I was doing the ignoring when she plucks thing and left the room (spying on her in a reflection on a window - do you think she'll see me?? lol - if i can see her i'm sure she can see me!); anyway, she was calling 'cuckoo' - my husband!!! - and i didn't go to her, so she flew (more like dropped) from her cage and came to find me. So, when i'm doing the ignoring thing do I put her back in her cage and walk away? or can i leave her out of her cage?

I totally agree with everyone - I had a gut feeling that it is not going to be a pleasant trip to the vet - but we weren't able to pull the feather ourselves so we did what we had to do. The vet didn't clean up the blood on her soft feathers while she was sleeping - so now she's plucked them all out because they were soiled with a lot of crusty blood! I'm so upset! She's got like a bald spot 2cm x 2cm or so (i just got a glance at it so can't be sure). Anyway, as I was saying her cage is next to our computer and tv and stuff - so we are here all the time - if I'm to walk away and ignore her - how long should I leave her alone for? Can I be on the computer and just not look at her or talk to her? She seems to get the idea that I'm leaving her now when I walk away. I just feel like crying about this whole thing - it's awful. I have earned a whole lot more respect for mothers, fathers and caregives of children! If this is how I feel over a sick/troubled bird - I cannot imagine the heartache parents must go through! -S

We are most definately going to have to find another vet! He said in a week or so if she is still plucking we must bring her back and he'll do a 'full workup' (do all the tests to determine what is going on). I dont understand why he couldn't have just done it while she was under in the first place. Also, I thought they would have an assistant to help rather than a scared owner! Anyway - what is done is done. Zahzu is sleeping. I'm very uncomfortable with the spraying thing - it seem so cruel - and if i shout at her and spray her that is getting attention - and then I leave her - that would confuse her right? So, whenever I see her doing it I'll walk away - but maybe for the 30mins he suggested??? What do you all think? I'm just thinking if I go away for 30mins - that means I may need to move her cage - she's next to our computer in our living room - and we have a 1bedroom flat... other option is there is a little space we might fit her into in the kitchen. Will it really stress her out moving? She often chills out with me in the kitchen on her 'tree' so she is comfortable in that environment. Anyway, Zahzu doesn't mind kisses so she's going to gt heaps of kisses. Poor baby. I'm sorry I've got so many questions and so much to say - in a way this forum is helping me keep really calm and cope! without you guys I'd be going bonkers I"m sure!:whistle: Also, the vet said that we shouldnt be putting aloe on her because its going to irritate the skin???? Oh, and this vet is NOT a proper avian vet - he just works with birds more than any other vet in town. But ya, will def try our best to find someone else!

Oh dear What an awful trip to the vet. We got in the car and to the vet and were happy - talking saying "cuckoo"...then the vet asked me to hold Zahzu while he pulls out the feather - I was so nervous and asked if someone else can do it, and the vet got so irritated and told me how to hold her - I did my best but Zahzu managed to nip at the vet and he lost his temper - practically threw her back in her carry cage and said "tell me if you can't hold her". So I said that I can't - I had already indicated I was uncomfortable - and then he said "so I can't help you". Then there was blood - and he saw that and went away and comes storming back in, takes Zahzu and says he's putting her under anesthetic. After that he sorta calmed down and we apologised profusely about the bite. But really, this incident upset me a lot. Anyway, the feather was removed under anesthetic and now she has antibiotics for the next 5 days. While we were in the car on way home she was plucking like mad - counted about 20 feathers or more that were pulled out. Anyway, Vet has reccommended since she doesn't have a sprayer misting, that we can use the spray bottle to stop her plucking - he said whenever we see her plucking we say no, give her a tiny spray and walk away for about half an hour. What do you all think about this??? It goes against a positive reinforcement method...but he said it is behaviour modification. He also said whenever she goes into her cage we must reward her with a seed. Geez...what a drama. Any help or advice will be appreciated. -Sameera

Hey guys, I think it is a broken blood feather Zahzu has - last night 6 more drops of blood appeared on newspaper at bottom of her cage, this morning one drop, and when i put my fingers under her wing to apply aloe (she bit me and jumped away) - i had blood on my fingers. The vet can only help us at 4.30pm, which is 1hr15mins away...and he is the same vet that cut her nail/beak too short - the other vet in our town that deals with birds (and breeds greys so i hear) is very unwell; no promises when he'll be returning to work. I'm really worried about taking Zahzu to this same vet. I think he's going to suggest putting her under anaesthetic again and removing damaged feathers - what do you all think about this? Can the broken blood feather be removed without her having to go under (which means he can do it today, rather than her having to starve for 8 hours before anaesthetic)? Will it hurt a lot? I notice whenever I try to touch her back/wings she growls and gets upset... I think this is coz she's not happy about me bathing her for one (I put her into the kitchen sink - she hates it and jumps out pronto!); and also she's plucking at the feathers on the back of her wings so maybe she's sensitive about that too?? I'm trying so so hard - I'm busy all day threading pasta onto strings, scrunching up paper, shredding newspaper, doing training (we can shake hands, wave, turn around and fetch objects).... i've renovated her cage - put more perches in, stuff to shred... i put aloe on her skin (she hates it)! I know it's a waiting game, but I just feel now with this bleeding feather or skin or whatever it is that we are going backwards rather than forwards. *sigh* ok, 30mins till i can leave home and take her to the vet - just want the vet trip over with too - she's not happy about going to the vet usually - she gets in her carrier fine but is always really quite when we there, and quite in the car. -Sameera

If you get her nails clipped or filed please please please be careful its not too short - my bird's nails got filed too short, and she is plucking her feathers. I'm not sure if the nail clip is the root cause of the plucking, but it sure didn't help! I'd much prefer to have all the scratches on my hands back than see her plucking. She's unable to grip on things to climb now because they are so short - it's awful.

Thanks DanMcQ - I have been sitting with her and she preened herself on my lap - and it is not a tail blood feather - but the blood is on the edge of the wing - where she is plucking her feathers - she does seem to be getting new feathers so do you think she damaged a blood feather? I hope that is what it is - and that she hasn't plucked her feathers so much that its breaking the skin now. I'm just keeping a close eye on her and we'll see how it goes. Thanks again...

Hey guys, Zahzu was busy playing on her tree perch and she called me so went over to notice 3 rather large drops of blood on the floor and blood on her perch! She's' got a lil blood on one wing feather and a bit by her tail, but bleeding has stopped. I dont know if she's plucked her wings so much its bleeding, or if she broke one of the blood feathers that are growing on her tail. I called the vets but nobody is available - and not keen on taking her back to the vet she has been to in the past. She was playing normally and everything, but now I put her in her cage and she's sleeping. She seeems ok, but I'm worried - I dont want to force her to see where exactly she's bleeding from because I'm worried if she flaps her wings too much it'll start bleeding again if it is on her wing. I'm suspecting it is from a tail blood feather though, due to the position of the blood... and the stained white feather near her tail. Very worried guys - help! -Sameera

Hehehe....Amberly I can see ur sooo excited! ))) All the best - enjoy the new family member! Oh, and maybe shoo the cat away first few times you take him/her out of the cage just incase one of them gets a bit too curious. -Sameera