Tail feathers and flying

[boojman]

Hi - it has been a while and all has been well with Booji except today I cleaned his cage and found a long tail feather, which initially I didn't think twice about. However, when he went to fly I noticed a problem. He usually flies all around the room up high and sits on the various perches and toys that are there. He will then come and sit on my head or computer, then fly some more, etc. Today, however he flew up to a perch then kind of dive-bombed to a lower book shelf - something he NEVER did before. I got up to see where he went and if he was ok, and he was sitting on a book. He then flew up to the ceiling again, and dive bombed again this time to a chair, again someplace he has never landed before. I went over to him and he was panting and I was able to pick him up (another never) and I put him in his cage. He is fine now eating, chirping, grooming, but I am worried, of course. Could the missing tail feather be affecting his flight?
Thanks,
Jackie

[barrieshutt]

The tail acts as arudder and could be the reason for his dive bombing , i suggest you keep him caged for a while to avoid any serious injury

[boojman]

Thanks Barrie - I agree and am hesitant about letting him out for now. He does seem fine in every other way though, thankfully. Just curious -is this normal as far as molting goes?

[Hezz]

Tail feathers moult out the same as other feathers, Jackie, sure. But I have never noticed any difference with mine when they have shed their tail feathers. Does he still have one long tail feather, or has he maybe lost both and you didn't notice the other? If he has lost both you will know - he will look like a stubby budgie.

I realise the tail is their rudder, but have not noticed any difference in mine when flying without a feather. Hope the new feather grows back quickly then.

[robert]

I stepped on my bird's tail feathers once and when he flew off they pulled out, He fully recovered and flew fine afterwards. Your bird will adjust till they grow in.

Mine didn't seem to have much problems without them either, just looked funny.

[boojman]

Thanks Hezz and Robert - He is just over a year old and last year his tail unfortunately feathers broke (and grew back) but I don't think he was flying full force out of the cage yet, so I don't know if they affected his flight then. I did not let him out tonite - I may call the vet tomorrow just to make sure everything is ok. Of course I am concerned - I never saw him like that before. :-/He is totally fine otherwise.

[Hezz]

I do hope he is okay, Jackie. Poor little guy.