Indian Ringneck's feathers and skin

[anastasia]

Bo's tail feathers were very short when we got him in early February, and they've grown longer since then, so the damage to the ends of the tail feathers is as far as I can tell all old damage. However, it looks like he might have been plucking under his wings, which I wouldn't have been able to see when we first got him as he was so scared of us he wouldn't even preen around us, and then when I did eventually see it I assumed it was just molting as the images I'd seen of plucking had all looked a lot more dramatic than this. He's molted since we've had him so if I would imagine that any currently visible signs of plucking must have occurred within that time. But I'm still not sure that what I'm seeing is a real sign of plucking or just normal exposed downy feathers while he's preening during a molt. He won't let me hold his wing out to closely examine under there, as although he'll happily approach and play with my hand, my hand isn't allowed to approach him for anything other than offering food and inviting a step-up. Only my face and mouth have that privilege, but unlike him I can't use my mouth as a third hand, haha.

I'm also not sure if the line above his beak that turns black in the males, has some kind of skin or feather problem at the moment or if that's just how it looks when a male's black markings first start coming through. It's only been looking like that for about a week. It looks a bit like lots of tiny little pin feathers, but I don't know if that's what it really is. I don't want to take him to the vet if there's probably nothing wrong, because being physically examined by a stranger would be terrifying for him.

These are the best quality photographs I was able to get, sorry if they're not good enough for anyone to make a judgement. When I click on the eight photos below they get enlarged, please me know if that doesn't happen for everyone else.

[Marianne Marlow]

I don't know anything about ringnecks but I didn't want to read and not reply.

Just to let you know that when I click on the photos they do enlarge

[Hezz]

I don't know anything about IRN's either, but to my uneducated eye the underneath of his wing looks fairly normal for most birds - most don't have a full feather cover under the wings, but look a little sparse. The only thing I would say is that they do look a bit patchy; that might simply be due to the moult. I can't help with the above-beak area either. The photos are not really sharp when fully expanded. I don't know whether he has lost feathers in this area, or just what, sorry.

[starlingqueen]

There is no plucking under the wings. I can't see the any issues with the feathers above the beak. Looks like a healthy bird to me.

[anastasia]

Thanks, consider me reassured!

His skill and stamina in flight have both much improved in the last few weeks, so it would be a shame for them to start falling out now.

[Hezz]

You guys have been through a very hot period; it is understandable for him to lose possibly more downy feathers than normal, making his under-wings look a little sparsely feathered.