Factors In Parrots Mean Color Variations
If You Are Adopting An African Grey Parrot, How Do You Know If It Is Really A Red Factor?
If your pet is at home and plucks, obviously he or she won’t be cold or anything. However, it is super-important to dig into what is causing your parrot to pluck. There could be a variety of reasons, including health issues. (go to https://parrotbliss.com/why-do-african-grey-parrots-pluck-their-feathers/ to read about causes for plucking and some things you can do to try to remedy it).
Red Color Or Damage?
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Red Factor Feathers & Damaged Feathers?
If you look at the pictures closely, you’ll see that Hera and Venus’ damaged feathers aren’t RED, they are varied and dull or faded. There are also some feathers that are part grey and part pink/faded red and white.
In my layman terms, the follicles are ‘confused.’
All of their grey feathers and tail feathers are consistently grey and red; the feathers, like on their head, that are grey with white edges look uniform, consistent and like they were designed this way. Feathers from the damaged follicles sometimes have inconsistent shapes and the colors look accidental and random or chaotic.
Unfortunately, caring for parrots has been far more involved – and rewarding- than caring for my cats and dogs. Perhaps it is because cats and dogs have been domesticated for so much longer; they just seem to easily and happily live with us. Parrots, on the other hand, are challenging. Each species has specific dietary requirements, which can vary to a almost no-fat diet with Amazons all the way to a heavy nut diet for Macaws and African Greys. They also require fresh foods daily, like carrots and other fresh vegetables. Parrots are intelligent and require more engagement than cats and dogs do. It is common to hear experts say that parrots require that you constantly buy them toys and/or provide enrichment (Video on What Is Enrichment on YouTube). Yes, parrots need to exercise their wings, their beaks (by chewing wood and nuts) and their minds. Yes, you have to figure out how to give them something to figure out! Dog’s are a man’s best friend (and a woman’s, no?) but parrots are a person’s demanding partner and companion who will outlive two, three or maybe even four dog’s lives.
When a parrot’s physical, emotional and mental needs aren’t met, they can run into physical or emotional health issues- and plucking can be either. So, while I don’t think it’s “bad” to have a parrot that plucks – not ideal, of course – I do think it is important to try to restore their well-being.
We had had a Green-cheeked Conure who had sezisures (she had been given to us because she had neurological damage so that she couldn’t fly and couldn’t use her feet too well). Our research led us to create a CBD oil for parrots in hemp oil, which has the correct balance of Omega 3’s and 6’s. So, I’m using this for Hera (and her partner Zeus, who we also adopted as a plucker). I’m intending for it to calm them if they feel any stress (which my Amazons or Macaws may cause) and to help give them the proper fat balance.
Additionally, I’m giving them time out in the sun and fresh air. Turns out, Mother Nature may have more floating in the air that will do them some good than you may have guessed.
We’ve been giving Venus time outdoors for several months and we are having a harder time figuring out which is Venus and which is Adonis when we look their way because some of Venus’ feathers are growing back. Hera had been on eggs, so now that she’s not, she and Zeus are receiving the same sun and air treatment and I can’t wait to see if it improves their plucking status!
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Follicular damage. I have a red factor African grey and her butt feathers radiate like a gradient pink that softly transitions to grey. When she looses a wind feather its grey and if you look close you can see pink blush in the middle. Funny story, the breeder actually carefully selected her mate so they could have more rare african greys. It’s been like 5 years since his aviary shut down (after the parrot trend died as novelty pets when they got associated to the people impulsively buying novelty pets…) So my parents got both the female and her partner that still feeds her and guarded the nest box… “he” finally matured to the age and decided to lay eggs a few months ago. But, my uncool, and now socially cringy little pet buddy unfortunately has a very common plucking problem. When the feather looks like a shrimp and stands out on other feathers it is follicular damage. If it’s innate traced back to the breeders that made the red factor breed in New Zealand it will be like a blush pink shading that is generically on a part of the body and slowly blends to the other feathers. When you look up red factor you get African greys that are full of these bright shrimp feathers all over, I feel pretty certain these parrots get plucked by people until the point they have follicular damage and turn red so they can be sold for more money.
Interesting! Yes, the follical gets damaged. Ironically, I don’t prefer the red-factor Greys. I love my Greys in Grey!
I agree, breeders try to make them red, seems like it is still a trend. I hope they don’t pluck them, although it wouldn’t surprise me. Parrots should be appreciated for their natural spelndor! However, I too have a plucker. We adopted her as an adult and she’s always plucked…
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be surprised if people are plucking to get the pink feathers. Sad. I actually don’t prefer the color. Sounds like you have a sweet pair!