Newbie with question

[bkhenry]

I've had birds before but never finches. One of my birds seems to have bled a bit on his wing. I'm guessing it was a blood feather. He's not bleeding anymore as best I can tell and he seems to be jumping and flying around just fine. I hesitate to take him out of the cage to check it because they don't want to be handled and I fear I will lose hold of him and spend 40 minutes trying to catch him. Any advice for what I should do? I will take him out if I need to. He's a zebra finch if it matters.

[ac12]

If he is not bleeding, I would leave him alone.

BTW when I have to examine a bird, I catch it with a sheet of krinolen, then take the bird into the bathroom to examine it. This way the bird is in a much smaller space where it is easier to catch it if it gets loose.

[bkhenry]

Well, darnit. I have pictures but the files are too big to post. He has issues with both wings. He's picking at them. I don't know if it is because he's stressed or upset or if they are bothering him. Still no fresh blood, but I'm at a loss. He's a new bird and I can take him back if I need to. I don't know if the other bird is picking on him or not. They both sleep together in their nest. They aren't in a space where they are being bothered by other animals- not on an outside wall, or under a vent or anything. I'm at a loss.

Thanks for the bathroom suggestion. That was very helpful.

[bkhenry]

I also have a nest for them. Should I pull that out? Could they be fighting over that? I don't KNOW that they are both male (god, I hope so) and I have noticed the other bird doing dominant type behaviors with the injured one.

[finchmix22]

He could be getting bullied by the other finch. Do you see any signs of mites? If he is itching or scratching, then maybe something for mites. I am not sure without seeing a picture or video. Hope someone with more experience chimes in. Good. luck.

[L in Ontario]

If there is no bleeding, I would leave them be. I think finches just typically preen their wings/elbows a fair bit more than the rest of their bodies.

[bkhenry]

These are the best I can do for pictures. Having a 5 year old take them with an ipod is poor at best. Looks like he's picking at them too much.

[terrig]

First I would spray with Avivera spray which is a natural Aloe Vera Spray and disinfectant to prevent infection where the bird has been picking. It could be mites but in my experience they don't pick to bleeding with mites? Not that they couldn't? i wouldn't spray with a mite spray though, because it might aggrevate the sore area, ya know? Honestly my gut says Giardia, do you have any Ronex or Ronivet to treat him with? It is relatively safe medication that is safe even on eggs or with babies. Giardia will make birds itch horribly and they pick out the feathers in patches like that, see this link. http://www.avianweb.com/giardia.html Ideally taking him to the vet and having tests. If that's not possible...I would try a week of Ronex or Ronivet and see if it improved:) Good luck!