My African Grey parrot has pink feathers. Is this normal or a problem?

I'm not really seeing the rash you're talking about, however pink skin is normal for most birds, and can sometimes be seen if the feathers are thin or new feathers are coming in. If you're seeing bald spots, irritation, the area is itchy or bothersome to Peeru, or other signs of illness, then having it looked at is best. Skin problems can be caused by a number of things including mites, allergies, infection and even boredom behavior.

If you are sure she is not actually pulling them out then here are some reasons why the feathers could just be falling out. 1. Dermatitis: skin infections a. bacterial, fungal or viral b. chemical (e.g., nicotine absorbed from the caretaker's fingers) c. allergic (unproven at this time). 2. Folliculitis: inflammation of the feather follicles 3. Malnutrition: nutritional imbalances are a common cause of illness in our pet birds. Seeds should compose less than 20% of the diet. A balanced pelleted diet like the Harrison's you are feeding should be fed as well. Hard boiled egg yolk, pancakes and cornbread, the tops of fresh greens, dairy products such as yogurt and cheese, fresh fruits such as apples, pears, melon, kiwi, and berries, vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, beets, asparagus, cabbage, sweet potato, and squash, and even tiny pieces of meat should be offered. 4. Environmental conditions: extremes of humidity, aerosol contamination and cigarette smoke. 5. Underlying medical problem: liver pathology, osteomyelitis (bone infection), pancreatic disease, renal disease, neoplasia (cancer), underlying abscesses 6. Reproductive activity/inactivity 7. Parasites: mites and lice 8. Stress I strongly recommend you get her to an avian veterinarian for an exam and some testing. At her age I would be worried about an underlying health issue (#5 above). You vet will need a thorough history which should focus heavily on the bird's interaction with its environment and the people and other animals around it. My guess is that some diagnostics will be needed in the form of blood and urine tests and whole body X-rays. Skin biopsy may also be recommended. Be sure to use a vet that is well-versed in treating birds. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for reaching out about Mango and including a photo. There are a few possible causes for this. Nutritional deficiencies and some viral disease can cause improper pigmentation and a veterinary visit is recommended to assess. But, if you pet him a lot in this region, the oils from our hands can sometimes elicit this change to black but to loss of pigmentation, and this is not a medical concern. Good luck.

As far as I can see from the photo, the feathers look normal and healthy. Some color change and darkening of feathers is normal, and the feathers may continue to change somewhat until Pa Pa reaches maturity. Molts can also change feather color some as old feathers fall out and new ones come in. If he is otherwise healthy, normal, and active, I wouldn't be worried. If the feathers change rapidly, fall out, seem bothersome, or you notice any signs of illness in addition to the changes, scheduling a checkup with your local vet to rule out any health issues is always the best course of action.

I would recomend a vet visit as it is not normal molting for feathers to fall out without new feathers coming in to replace them. This could be caused by viruses, nutrition deficit or metabolic disease. The vet may recomend some bloodwork after performing a full exam and history. Once the cause is determined the approriate treatment can be started. Good luck with Misty!

It could be infection or irritation. You would need to have her physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian to definitively diagnose this or other cause. Some birds will develop "stress bars" or spots on feathers when ill or when facing nutritional deficiency. Feather development is affected by an underlying cause resulting in darker coloration. It usually occurs in younger birds, but can happen in mature birds too.

Thanks for reaching out. Diet can have an affect on pigments of the plumage. An only seed diet lack multiple vitamins, minerals and nutrients, and is a poor diet. A wide variety of vegetables and avian pellets should provide an adequate diet. If continued to be concerned, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a physical examination. Good luck.