Red factor selective plucking?

[mareeee]

Charlie has a little red factor. He will be turning 4 in about 2 months. He occasionally gets red 'freckles' on his wings or an almost solid red tail feather (he is a TAG). For the past year or so, he hasn't had any red come in. Over the last few months though, some red has started to reappear.

 

The Problem: Charlie doesn't seem to like the red so much anymore. He selectively chews on the feathers with abnormal red and ultimately (over the course of a few days or weeks) will finally pull it out. There aren't a whole lot, maybe one every few weeks, but enough to notice. He has never had plucking issues before. We haven't had any lifestyle changes.

 

Is he self conscious of the difference in feathers appearance? Do they feel different to him? Some of the red spotted flight feathers seemed to be not as solid as they should be... could they be weaker or getting damaged on their own more easily and he is just trying to get them out of the way?

 

Any insights, theories, or similar experiences?

[mareeee]

These are the kind of red 'freckles' I'm talking about. This was about 2 years ago and these particular ones molted out on their own.

 

[Barbara2]

I know that I have read that some red feathers can be an indication of vitamin deficiency. I can't remember what vitamin it was now. I'm sorry I can't be more specific. I read the article quite awhile ago.

[mareeee]

Here is a better shot, but this was 2.5yrs ago. With his last molt, he lost all the red factor, but its slowly starting to reappear.

[ICERAT4]

My sunny has a few of these spot feathers is this normal.Should i be worried.Like on the tip of her shoulder 2 spots