Feather Abnormality?

[healthyaddict]

Hello all! I just came across a thread that may be similar (Here: http://theparrotforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9606&p=65386&hilit=feather+abnormalities#p65386), but thought I'd ask just in case there's something else you all might pick up on.

Is this normal? (See photo link below.)

My wonderful tiel Cooper Bird has always had a couple of stunted flight feathers, however, I've recently noticed on the same wing these three little feather nubs on the inside of his wing. Maybe they're coincidentally just 3 new flight feathers growing in, but they've been there at least a week now.

I'll note that he's never been a good flyer, and that on that same wing are not only two stunted 1" flight feathers, but also a couple of feathers that don't look well-cared for (always frayed looking... not smooth like the rest. You can kind of see it below the branch -- the outer two).

I'm planing on taking him to an avian vet next week, but I was wondering if this is something 'normal' that I shouldn't be concerned about, or if anyone has seen this and it may be symptomatic of something else? He's acting the same as he always does, so there are no red flags other than what I see. Fingers crossed it's not PBFD, as that seems pretty common.

Thanks all! <3

[Wolf]

As far as I am aware of there is no way of knowing without testing either a blood test or the deformed feathers can be checked with a microscope.
The condition could also be genetic or caused by malnutrition or by an infection or basically anything that restricts blood flow to the feather.
That pretty much says all that I know about this. Sorry that I can't be of more help than this.

[TooLove]

It's really hard to tell what I'm looking at from your photo, but PBFD would probably not be the first thing that comes to mind. It's not that common of a virus, I don't think I've ever seen a bird with it in 6 years of working with an avian vet. Usually the first sign of PBFD is the loss of feather dust from powder down in birds that produce it...long before you would see any feather abnormalities. Sometimes feathers will grow in abnormally after stressful events, nutritional imbalances, or mild illnesses. That being said however, if you are concerned the first thing to do would be to check with your vet.

[healthyaddict]

Thanks all! It's nice to get the piece of mind here. That said I do have a vet appointment scheduled for Thursday next week so fingers crossed for the best!

I'll post updates of what I find out.

[Pajarita]

No, that's not PBFD but, even if it was, the form that tiels get is curable so don't worry about it. It looks like a genetic defect to me. I have a red factor canary that has something very similar on her left wing -only she gets a feather cyst from it (needless to say, she will never be bred because of it).

[healthyaddict]

Thanks for your feedback all!

We had blood work done on him and it all came back normal. Just some weird feather mutations on that wing. Nothing to be concerned about.

[Wolf]

Great news, I am so happy for you that it is nothing to be concerned over. Thank you for coming back and letting us know.

[Pajarita]

Good news!