I see this subject has come up before but I couldn't find a definitive answer. I had 20 King Parrots in the garden this morning and several had the odd yellow feather. As you can see in the (not very clear) photo the bird with back view has a few yellow tail feathers and on the right wing. One or two others had a yellow spot on their heads. Any suggestions please?
Sometimes these symptions are associated with malnutrition from inadequate diet, which can be associated with artificial feeding.
Sometimes yellow patches on feathers are indicative of pscittacine beak and feather disease, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease of parrots commonly found where birds congregate and feed in close proximity, particularly around artificial feeders.
Thanks very much for your reply. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos have turned up here with beak and feather - it is very sad to see. I know King Parrots can also have the virus but didn't realise yellow feathers was a sign. I don't leave feed out on a regular basis, just when the birds turn up.
Bridges
Natural habitat provision far outweighs artificial feeding, I would have thought.
Absolutley. You get a freezing cold day with 20 King Parrots turning up. However, I don't do it very often.
Bridges