For past few days when replacing the Kiki’s cage linings, I noticed quite a number of feathers (mainly primary and secondary) lying at the bottom of the cage. The feathers are complete with no sign of any plucking and picking. Kiki seems to be going through a serious feather molting process, definitely a tough period for Kiki.

Furthermore, many of Kiki’s flight feathers were fully regrown. She definitely in for another grooming session to have her flight feathers trimmed.

By the way this coming Friday will be her one year birthday. Three more days to the big day, I’m still deciding what treat I’m going to prepare for her. Everyone in the family is truly excited, especially my mum.

Related Post:
To Wing Clipped or Not To?

I wonder any of the parrot owners owning african parrots like African Grey or Poicephalus like Senegal Parrot, notice an eccentric behavior that the parrots have when they are young. Perhaps owners that only taken in the parrot at the age of one or two might not have notice it before.

Usually young African Parrots in their juvenile age, tends to build up a habit of scratching vigorously on the cage floor or kicking madly (similar like what you see a hamster does, kicking off the bedding). It may sound a little abnormal for a parrot to behave in this manner. My Senegal Parrot had this behavior for quite sometime, he started since young (even when he’s a baby in the brooder, he did that almost everyday and make a mess with all the beddings) but until recently he stopped.

I’ve ever read about an article from a parrot book addressing the issue. The experienced trainer reviewed it as a normal behavior for all parrots from the African genus referring those like Greys and Poicephalus (Senegal Parrot, Red-bellied, Jardines), and these parrots will grown out of doing it. Generally the habit will fade off as they start to mature. However, the habit can be discouraged by placing in more toys to keep them busy.

Like what most people always say:

“A Busy Bird is a Happy Bird!”