Is My Parakeet Eating?

User Question
I am a new parakeet owner. I have two white birds that I am told are albinos. First, how do I know if they are eating? they have a little poop in the cage but they are really scitzy. Second, there are feathers in the cage, is this normal or could it be stress? Third, how do I know how old thy are are if they are males or females? Thank you for any help you can give me.. Your site is great!

Lisa's Answer
I would love to see photos of these, please send them along! If they are pooping they must be eating, pretty much. Birds are sort of shy about eating because it's a time they're open to being attacked and eaten. So it's likely, while they learn to trust you, that they are eating when you're not around.

I have a page on feathers here - Parakeet Feathers. Parakeets shed heavily in the spring and fall so since it's spring, undoubtedly they're molting. I wouldn't worry about it unless you see them actively yanking feathers out of their body non-stop. It is normal for them to PREEN just like you brush your hair, and feathers will fall out as they do that. But if they actually just sit there yanking feathers out one after another it's time to take action and go to a vet.

I have pages on parakeet age and sex here - Parakeet Sex and Parakeet Age. Often you don't really know until they are much older, when their bodies finish growing and changing color.

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