My conure is molting. Are those feather "stems" normal? How long?

It looks like he may be losing some downy feathers, which can happen during a molt or when adult feathers are coming in on younger birds. If it's a molt, you'll see new feathers growing in that look like little pins/needles poking out of the skin (hence the name pin feather) -- though these are usually better visible for large feathers such as tail/wing. If you're not seeing this, he seems to be picking at his belly a lot, or you see issues such as red skin, parasites on the skin, etc, a vet visit is a good idea to rule out any health issues.

Those look like they may be pin feathers growing out, especially if Maui is molting. Pin feathers are pin-looking like feathers that are the new feathers that grow in as the old ones fall out. They look like little needles poking out of the skin, and once erupted enough will fan out into a regular feather. Pin feathers are 100% normal!

Thanks for adding in a photo! From the photo, it looks like Meenu might be molting! This is normal in all birds, and happens when they replace their old feathers with new ones. Baby birds will also have a molt as they reach adulthood, losing their soft downy feathers (the wispy ones in the picture) and replacing them with their adult feathers. It is very normal for colors to change somewhat during a molt as brighter colors come in, and the feathers may fade some with time as well. As long as Meenu is otherwise healthy and happy, it isn't anything to be worried about. To see if your bird is growing in new feathers you can look for pin feathers (small like needle-like things poking out of the skin). Making sure Meenu is on a healthy balanced diet can help make sure she has a good molt and grows in healthy new feathers.

Thanks for reaching out about Rico and including photos. This is probably the result of new flight feathers having grown in after a molt. Monitor the color of the feathers as they can dull due to dietary deficiencies (not enough vegetables or protein) or excessive petting. When petting the birds, the oils come off the hand and can make the feathers dark. This is not a health concern, but occasional showers can help. Good luck.

Thanks for your question about Coco, and thanks for the photos - they are very helpful. You are correct that it could be taking him a long time to molt, however he may also be preening excessively and removing his feathers. In one of the photos he looks to have acreddebed area of skin - this is not typical of regular molting. If you are seeing feathers continuously at the bottom of the cage, this would also be suggestive of overpreening. I would recommend ensuring that his cage is very clean, that he is provided with multiple toys (which you will have to introduce slowly as budgies are often very nervous about new items), a mirror if he doesn’t have any company, and proper nutrition. These would all help with a molting issue, and may also help a bit if he is overpreening himself. If you are able to take him to a veterinarian, they would also be able to assist with this problem. They could look at the skin and feathers to ensure that there isn’t a medical reason for his condition. I hope that helps, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Baby birds can lose feathers in what looks like a molt as their adult feathers come in. If she is molting, you will see new feathers, called pin feathers, sticking out of the skin (they look like little needles). If she is otherwise healthy and active and on a balanced diet I wouldn't be too concerned, however you did mention she is a bit lethargic. If she is losing feathers and isn't growing in new ones, and remains lethargic or begins to decrease her eating/drinking habits, have changes in stool, etc, then seeking out an exam in person is best to rule out any issues such as parasites, illness, nutrient issues, etc that could be causing her symptoms. Keeping her eating and drinking, warm, and away from any other birds that may pick on her if she is ill can also help until you can get to a vet.

Molting is a normal behavior where birds lose their old feathers and grow in new ones. Making sure Chicky is on a balanced diet for her species is a great way to ensure she has the right nutrition to regrow her feathers. Adding in a few extra fresh fruits and veggies, or even some egg food can also give a little extra protein and nutrients to help. Most birds will finish molting and have new feathers in after about a month.