Difference between Parrot Dust & Parrot Dander.

[lovethatgrey]

I thought they were just two different words which meant the same thing. Apparently they're not.

 

Would somebody be able to clarify the difference and point out which parrot species have what please? Thanks!! I thought they were just two different words which meant the same thing. Apparently they're not.

 

Would somebody be able to clarify the difference and point out which parrot species have what please? Thanks!!

[Dave007]

There's no difference other than what name they label it. Parrot dust is dander. Dander is parrot dust. Any normal type of household dust that may be in a bird area becomes heavier because dander is landing on top of it. That's why vacuuming needs to be done frequently. Greys have constant dander. Cockatoos have much larger amount of dander. Actually, they have the heaviest amount of dander. Cockatiels have dander but very little. Dander is a feather protectant but can also cause dry, itchy, scaly skin if not periodically washed off. In the wild, any bird with dander will bathe itself to get rid of dander that's become old and dirty. Parrots originating from Amazonia don't have it. The highest population of cockatoos resides in Australia and all the different types have dander but very few are kept as pets.

[lovethatgrey]

Thanks Dave!! Love your posts as usual!!!

[GoDiego]

Parrots originating from Amazonia don't have it.

 

This would explain why I have not seen it on Diego. What are the small fluffy feathers that come out occasionally, are they just baby feathers?

[Dave007]

Those would be the tiny breast feathers and other areas that have tiny feathers. They're the ones that molt out once or twice a year and some also fall out once in a while during the whole year. They fall out and are replaced with others but those feathers shouldn't be confused or compared to flight and tail feathers. basically, that happens to all parrots.

[GoDiego]

Thanks Dave.

 

Because Diego does not produce Dander, I have no idea what this is. Does it just look like dust and what produces it? Also wondering why parrots from the Amazonia do not have it?

[Dave007]

All feathers, no matter what species of parrot have feathers that die. They simply dry up. It may be due to dryness, how old the feathers are, etc etc.

 

Nature has decided which species has what features or lack of. The climate in other parts of the world is very different than where greys come from which is very different in other parts of the world. Birds from some of these countries retain more moisture than other species. Birds in the various types of everglades all over the world are constantly surrouded by a very moist atmosphere.

 

Because of the climate of greys habitates , their feathers have a protective covering on their feathers to deal with extreme dryness. They remove that coating when it's time to remove it. New oils in the body of a grey quickly replace other feathers that die off when their life span is finished.

Why does all of these different things are the way they are? Only nature and the way the habitable areas of the world can answer that.

[DrTak]

OK. So I will remove my question.

Edited September 18, 2010 by DrTak
I won't play this game. It smells bad.

[Dave007]

I don't really know what odor you're talking about. I never smelled your bird . None of my birds smell. Dander doesn't smell.

[DrTak]

No comment.

Edited September 18, 2010 by DrTak
snotty response

[Dave007]

Well, when and if I get the sensory abilities of your dog, maybe I'll change my mind. Can you smell drugs at the airport hidden in baggage? Can you smell a dead body that's buried 6 ft under in the woods? I'd bet your dog can. I have a hunting dog and he's never gotten into a sniffing mode around the birds. And he's never wanted to chat with me about the odors or lack of odors that the birds have. He's simply not interested.

[Jayd]

I've never noticed a odor from our Grey's or the one's we've worked with. On a duck, it's the oil gland that dog's smell, different than a Grey...

[GoDiego]

Thanks Dave for your answer, it is wonderful how nature evolves to their surroundings.

 

I've also not heard of parrots smelling other than Amazons which are renowned for their musty smell. Some people actually find it an offensive smell, however, I love the smell of Diego. His smell gets stronger if I have skipped his shower for a couple of days.

[Jayd]

Diego's in love with you, he's sending off pheromones..[lol] The musk odor actually emitts from the Zon's "Ceres", they will also emit this when there excited.......

[Dave007]

""""""I love the smell of Diego"""""

 

That's extremely exciting to know. Just remember to only use your nose to get the full impact.

Edited September 17, 2010 by Dave007

[Jayd]

[b]""""""I love the smell of Diego"""""[/b]

That's extremely exciting to know.

 

LOL HaHAhAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH, Thanks Dave..........

[GoDiego]

ROFL, Hahahahahah!!!! Thanks for the laugh Dave!