TAGs tail feathers

[Michele WithOneL]

When do TAGs usually get in their maroon tail feathers? If I did it right, I've attached a picture of my TAG who is almost 6 months old. I think I've seen pictures of younger TAGs that already had some of the maroon feathers in. But my tag just has a little bit of pink at the base of his tail. Does the age they get those feathers in vary a lot?

Michele

[cfulhage]

I think the majority of TAGs are born with maroon feathers, while the majority of CAGs are born with bright red ones. However, my CAG was born with maroon colored tail feathers. She is now 18 months old, and has molted out most of those maroon ones and they have been replaced by bright red ones. Your TAG will probably get his maroon tail feathers when he has his first molt- which varies.

[bb100]

At least he's got feathers. You've never experienced a Hard Molt since your TAG's young. Basically I woke up one morning & it looked like a pillow exploded. CAG Feather's everywhere & for a week I watched every tail feather disappear. They grew back right away bright red & beautiful but he was a grey ducky butt for a little bit..

By the way, your TAG is a beauty.. I'm sure they'll turn colors in time.

[radiogirl995]

BB100- LOL! That description was hilarious and vivid - pillow exploded.

I never knew some CAGs or TAGs went through a time without the red tails! I've seen tons of pics and read a lot...but still never knew! (perhaps I just missed it?)

Tuki (CAG) is now 6 months old and has always had a deep maroon tail...but within the last month his bright red tail feathers have been coming in. He loses tons of downy white feathers -- but has not lost any others.

[bekfreak]

I told Bella that with all the down she's molting I could have a pillow out of it. She's lost two tailfathers and a little butt feather...so far but all I get is the downy stuff.

[Kristi]

I think it just depends on the bird.
Marley is still just about a year old and he has some bright red feathers (go figure...that's not a TAG thing...) but has just recently gotten in some of his maroon feathers. He's just showing his fall colors.......

[greyburd]

Originally Posted by Michele WithOneL

When do TAGs usually get in their maroon tail feathers? If I did it right, I've attached a picture of my TAG who is almost 6 months old. I think I've seen pictures of younger TAGs that already had some of the maroon feathers in. But my tag just has a little bit of pink at the base of his tail. Does the age they get those feathers in vary a lot?

Michele

Michele,

Your TAG will probably get new maroon feathers in after his first molt. If he's 6 months old now, watch for it some time in the spring. Spencer had mostly gray with a slight splash of maroon on his tail feathers when I first got him last year. This spring, he molted out his old feathers, and the new ones that came in had much more color to them!!!

[Lisa B]

Yes, baby tags have more grey tail feathers and loose them at first moult and are replaced with the maroon ones. Tho I do think your baby has more grey then I have personally seen.
My cags tails when babies were a darker dull grey red....now they are just screamin red. Emma just lost her last baby tail feather last year. She is 3!
Stirling at age 20ish has one grey tail feather among his red ones.

[bekfreak]

I also wonder if like female macaws that female greys are more careful with their feathers. Bella has only had two broken feathers since I've had her. The others molted out.

[little_angels]

hey beak freak...i dont think they are...my aunt has a cag female just turned one and she had NO tail feathers due to silliness on her part untill a few weeks ago, she only had a red stump for a tail...now she has one lone feather and tahts not looking to healthy due yet again to her antics when shes out of the cage! lol