Sun Conure lost her long wing feathers and can't fly

by Susan Sumpter
(Manteca, CA USA)

My sun conure is about 5 years old and she was flapping around the cage and lost all of her long wing feathers on one side. She can't fly anymore. Do you know what might cause this? How long will it take for them to grow back? She wants to fly but it is like having her wings clipped. She seems upset about it.

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Dec 12, 2013
 Sun Conure lost her long wing feathers and can't fly
by: Linda

This is called "night fright", and birds can become seriously injured during these attacks.

You will need to take steps to prevent this happening again. First, get one of the little nite lights that only come on when it starts getting dark. You plug it in in bird's area so it does not make a lot of light. They are very soft light, and our birds have always had one in their room. Next, get a lightweight polyester cover for bird's cage. Make sure a couple of inches are open around the bottom for air circulation. Also make sure fabric is thick enough to also keep bird cozy and warm during the night. Bird will be able to detect nite lite from the two inches left open at the bottom. Bird may fall off perch if something frightens him, but he will be able to see well enough to climb back up to perch. Night Frights are from birds being startled in the night and having no light to be able to see what it is. They completely "lose it" and can be hurt very badly. Remember this when or if electricity goes out because they will also do this when they are used to a light and it goes out completely. Keep battery operated camping light handy for anytime that happens and just sit it on floor or on a cabinet in room with bird until lights come back on and the nite light works again.

Thanks for writing and hope your bird likes the new ideas for him.

Linda
Dec 12, 2013
 Conure lost wing feathers
by: Tracie

Most likely something startled or scared the bird, and that is why it was flapping around in the cage. The feathers will eventually grow back, don't worry.

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