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The feathers on my amazon parrot look worn out with brown patches, like the color has rubbed off. Is this something I should be worried about?

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Age: >12; Female; Breed: Lilac crowned amazon

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Status: Closed Value: $9

HI Jane,

Thanks for trusting JustAnswer.com with your question. I will be happy to help you with your problem but I would like a little more information to provide the best possible service to you and your Amazon.

First of all, you mention she is over 12...how old is she?

How long have you noticed this feather color change happening?

Does the coloration appear as bars across the feathers, does it appear on an entire feather, or exactly where and how extensive it the problem?

Please tell me about her cage and toys.

Please also tell me about her diet and any recent changes in diet. Many problem are diet related so this will help a lot if you can be very detailed.

Have you noticed this discoloration on new feathers as soon as they come out of their keratin sheaths or only on older feathers?

Do you add any supplements to her drinking water or food?

Please include any other details you can think of that might possibly help me better help you and your Amazon.

I look forward to hearing from you so we can try to figure out the possible cause.

She is seventeen. She has always had this. I handle her a lot, petting etc and I have a feeling I am wearing out her feathers, or the oil from my hands is changing her color. She is otherwise very healthy, I have her vetted yearly.

They are not stress bars. When the feathers come in they are green and new. No supplements to food and water. She is on Zupreem with fruit and veggie supplement.

Sorry this took so long, was out of town.

HI Jane,

Thanks for getting back to me after you returned home.

Handling your bird everyday should not cause a feather discoloration unless it is from something you use on your hands. Even near constant petting should not "wear out" feathers.

Has you discussed this with her vet when she visits? Has the vet had any ideas or suggestions.

I'd like to ask for just a little bit more information to see if I can help you identify the cause. Naturally, I felt from the initial question that stress bars could in fact be the problem, but if you are certain this is not the case, then we need to look at further details.

How long has it been since her last yearly vet visit? Is the vet you use a certified avian specialist?

Does anyone in the home smoke?

Is the discoloration limited to specific areas of her feathers or is it evenly distributed all over including near her vent?

Do you use any products on your hands such as moisturizer, lotions, or doctor-prescribed products?

How long after the pretty new green feathers come in does the discoloration appear?

I'd like to ask you also to tell me how much of her diet is Zupreem and how much consists of fruits and veggies or other people foods? Give me a percentage of each, or your best guess at a percentage of each, please.

I look forwarding to learning more details so I can help you figure out this unusual problem.

She just had a vet check in December. My Doctor is an exotic avian vet, one of the best here. NO smoking.

Discoleration mostly on her wings. When we drive in the car, she sits on my shoulder and leans against my cheek, I am thinking it may be my face moisturizer?Zupreem is her staple diet. 80% I would say. She gets pine nuts, whole wheat bread, beans, pasta and veggie mix that I cook.

Hi Jane,

I'm very happy to learn that your Amazon has a top-notch avian vet. Hopefully he did a full workup with swabs and blood work.

Some feather discoloration can be caused by fungal growth. However, if you called this problem to the vet's attention, this should have been ruled out as a possibility. If it was rules out, then I think you may very well be right on track with the idea that your facial moisturizer or a product you use on your skin is the culprit. This would be especially true if the main discoloration is limited to areas which you touch or where you pet her. That is why I wanted to know if the distribution was even all over her feathers.

If there is discoloration in areas which you do not touch, however, then I think it would be related to something she ingests which is the culprit if fungus is known not to be at fault. If she has this same discoloration in areas she does not allow you to touch or where you do not usually contact her (her vent area, for example), then the cause is not your skin products.

In order to ensure your Lilac Crown Amazon lives the happiest and healthiest life possible, she needs to have a little change in her diet. Ideally, 35% or so of the diet should consist of pellets, seeds, or zupreem. The rest of her diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, dark leafy greens (but very little spinach), and other people foods. Basically, you are feeding her the right things, but you simply need to increase the fruits, veggies, and other items quite a bit and reduce the Zupreem. This will help her get a balance of nutrients that will optimize her health. Click here for more information on what to foods to provide and which can be deadly.

I can tell you truly love your parrot and have put lots of time and effort into providing her with a good life. I do hope this information helps and that you can get to the root of the problem. If I can help further, please use "reply" after accepting this answer.

If my answer was helpful, please click ACCEPT. Even if a deposit was made, I do not get paid until you accept. Leaving feedback benefits everyone.

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