Hi I have a a two year old cockatial that has got the habit of plucking his feathers under the wings and on the small of his back just above the tail. I have checked for mites all ok and also cleaned the cage and perches and sprayed the whole cage etc with anti-mite spray. Apart from that the bird is healthy and eats well. Also his feet are pink when the younger bird (8 weeks old) has normal feet, any ideas many thanks chris

he could be stressed

is the younger bird a new addition?

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We have had him now for just over a year and he started plucking his feathers not long after getting him. He went into a cage with another cockatiel. Our new cockatiel is just over 7 weeks old and has settled in really well. He is not stressed and we thought he was lonely that is why we got another cockatiel, but he is still pulling his feathers out.

I have a budgie that feather picks. She is nearly 8 years old. I have never gotton to the bottom of the problem. She has been doing it for about 4 years now. I know she isn't bored as she lives with 3 other birds and she seems really happy in herself. Its got to the stage that her feathers have not grown back.

Feather Plucking is usually a result of boredom and your bird needs stimulation either with toys or things to tear up or even more human attention. But given her age you probably have an up hill struggle and may never get on top of it. There are also sprays you can buy which makes the feathers distasteful. The problem is that it's usually a behavioural problem.