This is to continue the discussion started on another thread about what to do if you see African Greys with Red Feathers, babies or adults. I have split the thread as I do believe it is important to discuss, but didnt want to take away from the original posters questions.  Please continue the discussion here  

Posted By Teri on 19 Feb 2010 05:19 AM 

Posted By ann conway on 19 Feb 2010 03:13 AM 
When you go to see this bird, please remember to check if it looks to be in good health. Check its eyes are bright, it is alert,nostrils are clear of any mucus, vent is clean, and feathers are not showing red anywhere apart from its tail. Its not all fluffed up. Check if poo looks normal. 
I would do all of this, and then ask questions as above. 
Its fine if the owner is being truthful with you, but just be aware that not everyone is. Good luck. Let us know how you get on. 

Whilst the above advice is good for an older bird, I would not take any notice of this in this babies case. It is only 9 months old so would not have had its first major moult. Red feathers in young birds is quite common and nothing to be worried about. 

Sorry Ann I dont want appear to be picking at your advice, but that isnt an accurate assessment..... 

hi teri

can i just add.....yes red feathers in young greys are very common.......but the desease can hit any age of parrot, and there has been alot of young birds with this, ann was just saying to be alert to this, no one would ever want to put there own flock at risk from this and be safe not sorry is the best way.....i along with ann would stand by this and would want the grey tested before i ever consideed bringing him to my home (if this was the case)...i would have to be certain my own flock were safe....so as unlikely it is to happen, dont mean its not possible  (Posted by Kerry H)

Posted By Teri on 20 Feb 2010 01:32 AM 

Ok I have a question. A few people think that because a baby has some red feathers it could be ill. I am just wondering what illness you think would cause this?

I am editing this post because.. I dont want to appear that I am saying that any bird with red feathers isnt ill, I am not. We all know that red feathers can be an indication of illness, however, some plucked birds are known to grow red feathers back and show no other signs of illness.  Also there are the 'Red Factor' greys which are becoming more common, these birds arent ill, its a genetic thing. 

I really do appreciate what everyone is saying and I really dont want to upset anyone, but, I am getting increasingly frustrated about incomplete information being passed about. 

Just to give an example. I had a young african grey here that had alot of red feathers, this bird was showing no signs of any illness, eyes bright, happy, playing, fantastic feather condition, but, because it had 'RED' feathers I had to have this bird tested.  I had said all along there was nothing wrong with him.. His result came back as I had predicted negative. 

So please lets not get hung up on different colour's in the feathers, it really isnt always the case.... As long as the bird is fit, healthy and in good condition I wouldnt worry. At the end of the day, there is always a chance that any bird, wherever it comes from, could have something wrong with it.... 

anns post was not just aimed at red feathers,greys with red feathers are much sort after now adays, it was aimed at health altogether i.e nostrils clear, red feathers, not all fluffed up,poo normal, which all those symptoms to lead you to think the bird was very poorly, i have a grey here with 2 red feathers round his neck which is no worry to me, but if i went to collect a bird with all or some of the symptoms ann listed id be a little worried x

I agree with you and I never said it wasnt just aimed at the red feathers. The point I was getting across or trying to is that, red feathers are not a clear indication of anything being wrong with the bird. Put with any other symptoms, then yes, I would agree there is a possible indication of something being wrong!!!  

when we brought jd home had the age of 4 months he had tiny ,,more like shades of red on his belly ,,but has the weeks passed they went,,and to be fair they never concenered me he has just got a beatufull red tail xxx but we did check all his eyes which were lovely and bright he was also alert and waiting for his head to be tickled very playful he poo was fine he loves all his food (any)  p.s does anyone if he got the bird today

 The fact is we are seeing more and more greys with mixed in red feathers. In a baby - Personally, I wouldn't be worried, this is increasingly common nowadays, as is a pink/violet tinge to the feathers. In an adult, where feathers suddenly grow in a different colour, and there's no other factors, ie plucking (which in itself can cause feather change), then I would start to worry.   With feather diseases, there is not always symptoms of feeling unwell, and many times the only thing you can see is the feather colour and maybe change in appearance of the shaft of the feather.  This is where we have to rely on information given by donors, as if we dont know the bird, we cant see if anything has changed.  If it's our own bird, we can keep a regular check. 

Can I just ask: What about a purpley tinge??. Has anybody else ever came across it before?. When our Charlie got ill his/her feathers got quite a deep purpley/blue tinge to them. Matt said that he had never seen it before and I just wondered if anyone else had?. When we used to give her a bath they looked definately purple but as she dried they just had a hint of purpley/blue to them?. Could this have been to do with her illness??.

Posted By Scott 'n' Dawn on 20 Feb 2010 05:23 AM

Can I just ask: What about a purpley tinge??. Has anybody else ever came across it before?. When our Charlie got ill his/her feathers got quite a deep purpley/blue tinge to them. Matt said that he had never seen it before and I just wondered if anyone else had?. When we used to give her a bath they looked definately purple but as she dried they just had a hint of purpley/blue to them?. Could this have been to do with her illness??.

Yeah, I mentioned that in my post above. Baby greys can sometimes have this tinge to their feathers, and I've noticed my Rommy (TAG) has it too in certain lights 

My male grey Harley had lots of bright red feathers on his back when he was a baby, but out they came with the first moult! My female Roxxi had a tinge of red feathers on her back now, both are disgustingly healthy.

If you google and do some research, red feathers can also indicate the area where they originated from, ie genetics, or certain foods can also cause it, ie Harrison's. Now, both have Harrison's and they are fit, healthy and have the best of everything. I'm not in the least worried, in fact when she went to the avian vets he commented on how healthy she looked.

 

dunno if anyone has seen these birds....Interesting subject

Adie

 I never said and never would say, if you are worried dont do anything. Yes a bird with red feathers and other symptoms should be checked out. 

What I said was, I dont feel that red feathers alone is a cause for concern!!!!