My Senegal that I have had for 21yrs has started plucking herself, she is in a big cage by the window in the kitchen, I took her to our caravan in the car, would this cause her stress as she seamed to enjoy outside when it was warm. Thanks Sue. Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female | unspayed | 17 years and 6 months old

That could be stress related (change in the environment, temperature, poor stimuli, lack of toys) or related to a skin infection (bacterial or mites usually). Nutritional imbalances and other metabolic disorders can cause that as well. More sinister causes are possible as well. A check up to rule out skin infection would be ideal. If that is negative I would recommend to move Tinsel in the old position, supplement her diet with omega fatty acids, and enrich her environment with toys. Please complete your question describing the problem to receive a specific answer from us.

It's possible something could be irritating your bird, such as a skin issue (infections, fungal problems etc), parasites on the skin, nutritional deficiency or even boredom. You can check for parasites or skin issues by looking at the skin for any signs of redness, visible wounds, or dandruff/dander on the base of the feathers that may indicate parasites. Making sure she is on a balanced diet can also help prevent any nutrient deficiencies that may be causing problems. For boredom, adding in extra toys to play with or chew on can help, as well as spending more time together. TV and talk radio shows can also sometimes be soothing to birds if they have to be left alone. If the problem can't be easily found, worsens, there is a visible skin issue or wound, or you see other signs of illness, scheduling a vet visit for an exam and treatment is always best.