Morning Everyone,

Seems like I have to learn from the difficult part with keeping Eclectusses rather than learning the easier stuff first.

3 days ago I noticed that Lila is plucking the feathers at the back of her neck. This morning I noticed flakes between her feathers that looks like dandruff just much bigger.

What on earth is it? And will I be able to treat it? I was in the city so I bought her lots of toys and ropes.

Will it be a problem if Lila sits on top of her cage and she is much higher than me? The same goes for the stand she sits on during the day she sits much higher and it seems to me that she thinks she's now the boss.

If we go somewhere for a few days and it is possible to take her with us will the stress be less seeing that I will be around or should I just leave her at home?

Sorry for all the questions but I just want to take care of her the best way I can. And to stop the feather plucking as my mom has an African Grey who does this and he looks terrible and she had tried everything to let him stop but with no success.

Hope you have a great day
Doret
Namibia

She could be molting. My ekkie is molting and losing feathers like crazy! Are what you describing pin feathers or pin feather remnents?

I agree with Dominique in that you are most likely seeing the keratin sheath being shed from new feathers growing in. When the new feathers molt in they are covered in a keratin sheath, which looks waxy and white - these are called pin feathers and they look spiky and weird. The keratin helps to protect the shaft since all new feathers growing in are blood feathers, meaning that the new shaft is full of blood, and you can sometimes see the blood receding in certain feathers over the course of a few days. Once the feather is grown in and the blood has receded, the bird will then use their beak to peel/scratch off the keratin sheath and the brand new feather is revealed.

I agree with the other replies on what you're probably seeing. Regular bathing is very important, especially during a molt. How often are you bathing Lila (love her name, BTW!)?

There is some thought that allowing birds to sit up high can cause aggressive or domination type behaviors. I don't know how much I believe that. Birds like to be up high because that's where they feel safer. Here is a great link that you'll want to check out: Behavior Poll

Ollie goes where ever I go. She's been traveling with me from 8.5 weeks of age, and I feel much better taking her along than leaving her behind. There are a lot of things to consider when traveling with your bird, and also when leaving them behind, for that matter. If you're planning to leave her, you'll need to have somebody able to care for her while you're gone- somebody you trust and who preferably has parrot experience. By doing a search here on the site for 'traveling', you can find some information on things you need to consider about that. Here are a few threads: Long Car Trip?, Traveling Suggestions?

I don't like for Lucy to be any higher than I can reach her. The same for Echo and Harley. After a time or two of me not being able to reach them, they find that they can get away with it. Sure, I'll let them on top of their cages, but I wouldn't let them get any higher than a arm's length; it can be dangerous for them and in an emergency...