My cockatiel is picking blood feathers. Is this normal? What to do?

Question

My cockatiel is growing a few blood feathers and seems to be constantly picking at them. He has previously had a broken blood feather during a night fright, but managed to pull it out himself. How do I treat these new ones without hurting him? Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Male | unneutered

Ady Y. Gancz, DVM, ABVP (Avian), ECZM · Accepted Answer

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, Generally speaking, there is no need to do anything unless the feather picking results in bald areas. What you are describing sounds more like normal preening than feather picking. Blood feathers are new feathers that are growing in. They can brake sometimes, but that is usually not due to picking.

My cockatiel is picking blood feathers. Is this normal? What to do?

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