Several birds have tail feathers that look worn and frayed at the edges. Not broken, just tatty looking.
Is this normal winter wear or sign of a problem? They moulted these feathers in autumn.
Some wear is normal, especially if they’re rubbing against perches or walls. Tail feathers take a beating.
Excessive fraying could indicate:
- Lice/mites damaging feathers
- Nutritional deficiency
- Stress-related feather quality issues
- Overcrowding causing physical damage
Check for parasites first. If clear, it’s probably just wear that will fix at next moult.