Hi guys,
I just joined this forum because I have a little problem with my green cheek conure. I think it's a problem at least. He's about 1.5 years and he's changing his feathers now. I looked at his tail feather and it looks all wrong. Usually they have white tip and then they grow and white stuff peals off and left with a feather. But this has hard top that's pinky and it's very hard and a little curly, closer to the skin is regular looking growing feather. Does this usually happen and I just didn't notice before or is something wrong with his new feather?
Also he hasn't changed feather on top of his wings yet, but tail and wing tails are changing for the second time now. Any idea?

Thank you!

It sounds like how the feather just starts up out of the skin - like tulips poking out of the ground. - if i understand your description...

here's a shot of Laker's head when the pins were all coming in at once but hadn't gotten big enough open.


I remember looking at my bird's shoulder & thinking he had mites & then on closer inspection saw they were unopened feather tips.

Attached Images

Laker - molt april18 07 001.jpg (218.4 KB, 19 views)

Can you post a photo? Sounds as though it could be the normal keratin sheath, but a photo would be helpful. What's he on for a diet?

a photo would be great.... sounds good that it looks fine closer to the skin

As per your request I have taken a picture. Feather in question is very small so if you guys guys need a better picture please let me know.

Attached Images

Yolki's tail.jpg (204.8 KB, 34 views)

Didn't notice your question regarding his diet. He mostly eats zupreem (i think that's the name). He's eating plane pellets and coloured ones (that look like different fruits). That's his main food and also we give him fresh fruits and some feggies and sometimes (rarely though) pasta and bread. He takes my food sometimes too from my plate so whatever we are eating (if it's not too fatty).

Hi and welcome to PC.
That looks like a normal pin feather to me. Did he molt recently?

I think it is a normal new pin feather. The feather next to it is still a blood feather so he is probably molting.

Looks ok to me too but I'm no expert - tail feathers have such large shafts.