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We moved into our new house this weekend and I could not find the little night light that I usually have in the living room (where Casper's cage is). I woke up on Tuesday morning and there were feathers everywhere. Long ones and short ones. So I am guessing she had a night fright.

She seemed ok. I took her out last night and let her sit on her cage door. She went to fly over to me and just headed straight towards the ground.

I noticed that her long feathers in one of her wings were not there. Are those the flight feathers? I wanted to make sure that she can't fly because she does not have the right feathers, not because her wing is broken.

I put her on the kitchen counter last night while I was in there, just to watch her. She has stretched her wing and has preened. She does not seem sensitive to the touch.

Could it just be that she lost those flight feathers? I figured you seasoned tiel owners could answer this one for me.

PS - it has been over a year since we had her wings clipped, so I can't even remember which feathers were gone.

Every feather will eventually be molted and replaced, but gradually enough that a bird's ability to fly is never impaired. That would mean death in the wild. I think Casper's inability is the combination of feathers she lost, some to the fright and others perhaps were already loosened and about to molt. If she's moving the wing and not showing pain, I doubt there's a break.

Do keep in mind -- I'm sure you know this, Lisa, but others might not -- that Casper might be flying beautifully again any minute. Cockatiels' readiness to fly is nothing short of miraculous. Never assume one cannot fly from one minute to the next. Safety first.

Congratulations on your new home!

I do think you are right. I will keep an eye on it though just to be sure.

And yes, with a brand new house, new surroundings, etc, I will be really careful with her. Doors are always closed and fans are never on when any of the birdies are out. Casper loves to have free reign of the house, but for the time being, we are being extra careful with not knowing her surroundings.

Thanks, it is so nice to finally have our own home. Brian has owned houses before, but this is my first. So I am pretty happy right about now!!!

Good diagram. That shows the LONG feathers that Casper lost. When you look at her, with her wings in, she only has the short ones on one side. I am sure it is those primary feathers that she lost. The ones she lost are the visible ones when her wings are tucked to her body.

Thanks!!!

Ash and Tweety loose those feathers sometimes too. It does hamper their flight for a few weeks, but they soon learn to work around it. I wouldn't be suprised if her wing is a little sore, my boys seem to be after loosing those feathers. Good news is that they will grow back in!!

She was in the process of molting also, so it probably was not hard for her to lose those other few feathers.

Poor little Casper, I bet that was horrible for her being in a new home and then going thru a night fright .. I remember one that Rosie went thru and I didn't hear her and the next day she was freaked out all day and so stressed from it.. I am glad that Casper don't appear to be sore or hurt badly.

You are such a good Mommy to Rosie!!! She is so lucky to have you!!!

I did feel bad thinking that she went through it alone. I was upstairs and did not hear a thing. But she was extra snuggly last night, so I gave her lots of attention and kisses. I will again tonight.

Thanks everyone!!!!

Lisa,

I thought you had let Casper's flight feathers grow out. Have you clipped her since you were getting ready to move into the new house? Either way, if you didn't clip her so severely that she can't fly, she'll be OK. It takes a pretty good while for the birds to molt out the primary flights, and several weeks for them to grow completely back in.

Cappy was clipped just before we got her, and she has regrown 2 primary flight feathers, both on the tip of the wings. It took about a month and a half for the feather to reach full length, and while she could glide or fly level for a short distance, just with the addition of those two tip feathers, she can now gain altitude, and her flight distance has increased to about 25 feet or thereabouts. They are just amazing fliers when they really want to fly.

Sam

No, we had not been clipping her wings. She had a night fright a few evenings ago and must have lost those long feathers in the process. Her cage was covered with feathers, but she seemed ok. But now, she is unable to fly. So I am guessing that the ones she lost are the ones responsible for the flight. So, time to keep her in her cage while the dogs are in. I only take her out now when they go outside. She is not too pleased with me, but until they grow back, she is a flightless birdie once again!

She seems fine, so I don't have a concern that she broke the wing or damaged it. Just lost those feathers. She looks funny, long feathers on one side and a rounded wing on the other!!!