male plucks female head feathers

[mano]

Hi all. Good forum hear. Many thanks to the moderators.
I have recently purchased a 2 year old pair of breeding parrotlets with in the lst couple of weeks. I dont have much experience with them and they seem to love and cuddle each other but...... I got up the other day and checked on them and the female was totally bald just on her head. The people I purchased them from wont answer my questions except to say that when the pair decide to mate they pluck feathers to line the nest. It doesnt seem to bother the female and was rexcommended using Bitter Apple on her to stop the plucking.
Any help out there?

[huntress]

It is correct that it is common mating behavior in some birds although I have not seen it in any of my pairs. I f in fact it is then bitter apple most probably wont stop it from happening anyhow.

[birdsnreps]

ive got a female tiel that does that to her mate when they are ready to go to nest. they just got off a clutch, so his feathers are growing back. ive also got a female meyers that plucked her mate's head bald, he just looks so awful all bald, haha. i think they do it cause they are ready to nest, but maybe the males arent at first.

[T.W.]

I've seen that alot with parrotlets. Fortunately, none of mine do it. Make sure they have at least 3 toys in their cage, they love to chew wood, they love swings. Mine still breed, even though they have toys like pet birds. They also love little balls with bells to knock around. Good Luck!

[mano]

Whew! I am glad to know that some other members know about this plucking of a mate as I had a hard time finding any info on it. It didnt seem like it bothers her a bit, sans feathers to her noggin.....A big thanks from a first timer here. I had been told to seperate them but the female adores her mate and they cuddle so close as to look like one big fat bird with two heads....maybe he just prefers bald females??? Ha ha. The bitter apple doesnt seem to be working. They have plenty of chew toys and paper to chew. I even thought of finding some feathers and sticking them in the cage. But if it is normal then I'll be groovy with it.