Lost long feathers--not symmetrical

[greymom]

Rita seems to be molting, not plucking. But it is not symmetrical. She has lost several long feathers in one wing only. They appear to have fallen out naturally, no broken shafts. She does not pluck and her feathers are in good condition. Have you heard of this?

[Ray P]

Its not unheard of to be a little off balance from time to time. You say she is not plucking so it will even out.

If it dose not even out over time than maybe a vet check would be in order.

[danmcq]

If she has perhaps flapped around in her cage from a fright, it could have knocked those primaries loose and they would come out and regrow. Only a natural molt will induce primaries coming out in order on left and right sets of primaries.

[greymom]

Thank you Ray for your reply. I took Rita to our avian vet on Monday and as it turns out she probably hurt her wing when she was flying around the house. So it is a trauma. Her wing is not broken but the feathers suffered damage. He will see her again in 3 weeks to see if her feathers are growing in properly.

[greymom]

Thank you Danmcq,

That is definitely a possibility. As I wrote in my reply to Ray, the vet said the loss was due to trauma.

[judygram]

The fact that the feather loss was not symmetrical was a clue to ask your vet and you found out she suffered a trauma, it happens sometimes but she should recover from it soon, good thing you took her in, poor dear but she will be fine.