*sign of stress?*

[smoura123]

hi
my 10 wk old green cheek conure (milo) appears to be losing a few feathers on his head? the feathers on his head are ruffled up..is this a sign of stress or just preening? if it is stress then how do i stop him being stressed?
im a new bird owner incase anyone hasnt realised yet! ive only had him for 5 days..
sofia and milo

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Could also be normal molting, although he seems young for that. Some pet birds molt semi- continuously, as my Scooter does, although he finally seems to have slowed down after 10 months.

Some stress is probably unavoidable in a new home, but is his cage in a quiet but not isolated place? Is it a generous size? Is he eating well? Is he being handled regularly and is he comfotsble with that? Does he get 10-12 hours of darkness for sleep?

[smoura123]

i thought it mightve been molting but i wasnt sure so i was just checking!
his cage used to be up in my bedroom but then i though he was getting lonely and some people that ive spoken to told me that he would be better off in an active place where there are always people around to keep him company? does that sound round about right? the cage is definately a generous size - its big enough for 2 conures to go in so it should be alright? yeeeeees hes eating very well - he loves his veggies and his normal parrot mix. i think he likes being handled..when i come up to the cage he starts squawking and running up and down the length of the cage and then i put my hand in the cage and he steps up straight away..im guessing thats a good sign??! the 10-12 darkness for sleep is when me and the rest of my family go to sleep so yeah he gets a good 10 hours in for sleep
sofia and milo

[zazanomore]

Well he sounds happy!

I think it may just be a molt.