G'day to all - mite question?

[Ozgrrl]

Hiya everyone,

This is my first time here, just found this board this morning. Nice to see so many other Bird luvvers here :)

Anyways, my question is - Has anyone ever had a bird totally chew their leg feathers off? I can still see pin feathers forming, and there is a "tad" of redness when I bathe her.
My female Alexandrine has been molting for well over a month now and recently I noticed that she lifts her feet (one at a time) and just stares at them for about 10 seconds. She also does a little head twitch from time to time (although I have seen her and my male Alexandrine do this when they are molting each year)
She does seem to be VERY agitated. I am taking her in for a skin scraping and bloodwork on Thursday but just wondering if anyone else has dealt with what might possibly be mites or similar parasite?
My male and female are not housed together, and he does not seem to be bothered as much as her, however they do share a gym stand perch throughout the daytime. Anyone got any ideas whilst I am waiting for the vet trip??

Thanx in advance.......Gina

[LtlWngdAngl]

I've seen something similar to that, and it's usually when the bird is suffering from anxiety...usually associated with change in environment, seperation from people or other animals, change in diet, etc.
This is just my experience, your best bet is to ask you avian vet when you go in. Try to make a list of anything you've changed in its life recently (when she began these habits) and ask if any of them could be a factor.

[LtlWngdAngl]

Oops...almost forgot....
WELCOME TO THE BOARD!!

[Ozgrrl]

Originally Posted by LtlWngdAngl

Oops...almost forgot....
WELCOME TO THE BOARD!!

:) Thanx! Hope to spend much time here. Looks like a fantastic group!

And thank you for your reply. I suppose I shall have to wait to see what the diagnostics say after Thursday. Just hate watching her be so agitated. I honestly cant say she has had a change in anything since I had her. I adopted her as the Humane Society here in san Diego could not find her owner and one of the workers there knew I had another Alexandrine and asked me if I'd like her. Of course I could not resist. She was very nippy and afraid when I got her, but after the past two years she is now my little "companion" and loves me just as much as I love her. She lays a clutch every year, and is normally a very happy bird, up until the past two weeks. No new changes around here at all I can think of.

Thanx again.....Gina