White dust when bird fluffs up?

Question

I adopted a male cockatiel whos about a year old and when we pet him, ur fingers are white...is he needing vitamins or what? And is it harmful for us if breathed in?

Answer 1

Bird dander he needs to bath himself sprtitz him with room temp water a few times a week and let him keep clean by preening and it will keep the dander down also. or put a small towel in the sink and let the water trickle and he will usually clean himself up. they love water we take ours in the shower with us once in awhile and they spread their wings and shake every where.

Answer 2

Birds have special glands that are "dust glands", and that's what they produce- feather dust.

A bird when he fluffs and shakes his feathers releases the dust in the air, and it falls and coats his feathers to keep them pretty and shiny and perfectly placed. Cockatiels being in the cockatoo family- create a little more feather dust or dander than other species (african greys are pretty bad for it too). Give him a bath if it seems like it's getting out of hand (in just plain water). And yes, it's only harmful if you are allergic to it. It is just like cat or dog dander.

Answer 3

that is normal for them.  they have special feathers that disitergrate and make a dust.

Answer 4

cockateils and cockatoos make feather dust normally.  Like someone already said, they have feathers that break down and make it. It's normal

Answer 5

This isn't harmful to you - unless your allergic to bird dander.

That is all it is - just dander! All birds have it, some are more obvious then others!

Answer 6

That white stuff is dander and cockatiels have a lot of it-- that is normal for cockatiels.  You can try giving him a shallow bowl of water so he can bathe in it daily,  or mist warm water on him daily to keep the dander down. It should also help keep his feathers and skin clean and help with grooming.

If you have proper ventilation and no allergies to birds there should not be any problem with the small amount of dander from one cockatiel.