Feather Preening vs. Plucking?

[Nazir's]

Hello,

I have a general guestion...
I've been hearing so much about feather picking birds and I've recently started noticing the softer feathers at the bottom of my CAG cage. It has not been excessive and I've even saw some fall off of him as he flaps his wings. I've not ever observed any in his beak or him plucking his feathers for that matter. What I wanted to know--is it common to see the softer feathers at the bottom of the cage at times or is something that I should be concerned about? What are some signs to differentiate molting and normal preening from plucking prior to the point of the obvious? I have not noticed any balding areas and once concerned, I looked him over throughly. I am just a worried, overly concerned mommy. Any assistance or advice in this matter would be greatly appreciated...

[Lisa B]

yes, it is normal to see feathers on the floor of the cages. I have lots of white downy ones floating round my house.

picking, you will see thinner spots of feathers, and more skin left on the shaft, possibly blood in the shaft, and or feathers broken off without the shaft.