My Bobbie has dusty colored wings

[BobbieSD]

Bobbie has developed dusty colored wings, like he has been rolling around on a dirty floor, but it won't wash off. It also seems almost oily like, not fluffy like his other feathers. I searched the net, but found nothing on the wing discoloration. He has also started stripping his feathers...on his tail and wings...so he has these pointy stiff twigs.

He may be bored-I haven't given him pine cones in a while, so I resume that. I was also giving him mini carnations from the restaurant, but am thinking maybe there is a preservative in them causing an irritation...so am ceasing that. he has also once again gotten picky about eating his pellet mixture...but nothing else has changed.

I got some Red Palm Oil and Aloe Vera Juice today, so I will start doing that (can you tell me how to mix the aloe and how much palm oil to melt per serving?)

He is in great spirits...and sees the vet Tuesday. Anything else I sould try? Have ever heard of a discolored feathers?

[fluffy_stitch]

i got a bottle of red palm oil for mine too,it says "give your bird 1 drop orally per 100g body weight,not to exceed 3 drops,continue use as directed by your veterinarian"
dont know anything about the discoloured feathers or aloe juice though but i hope everything checks out ok with the vet,:)

sorry!!!!!!! didnt see that this was posted in the experts section!!!!!(wich i'm definately not)

[KimBear]

The stains could be from any number of things. The pine cones have gottne a bit of pine tar on him. Also, if you use newspapers in the cage, it might be ink. Some things will stain the feathers and won't come out in a bath. If there are smokers in your home, or you burn candles or incense, it could be smoke residue.

It might not be a bad idea to talk to your vet before you use anything other than water on your bird's feathers and skin. Using aloe and any kind of oil may not be a good thing to do because you could interfere with the normal balance of the feathers and skin. If the feathers have a dirty, oily quality to them, adding oil probably isn't helpful. Or is this something he's supposed to eat? Again, talk to your vet. Sometimes home remedies are effective, sometimes they're not.

Diet will certainly affect the quality of a bird's feathers, as will some things in the overall environment, such as smoke. But any time a parrot starts chewing at his feathers and they don't seem "right", it's probably time for a vet visit.

[BobbieSD]

Still can't figure it out. I dont burn candles, incense, or air fresheners. I smoke-but only outside, not in the home. The bottom of his cage is lined with newspaper, with computer paper on top (white), and is seperated by a grate. When I bathed him on Wednesday-he had a perfect round bald spont on his chest, ,limited feathers on his left leg, and under one wing. I freaked out....can't see this unless he is wet. So-I took Bobbie to the vet Thursday. They are doing a full panel and also testing for PBFD. Keeping my fingers crossed!! It's going to be long week waiting for the tests.