Why does my 2 year old African Grey have no tail?

Question

His tail never has gotten to grow in properly. Before it can fully grow, the feathers get ragged and yucky and then fall out. The rest of his plumage looks great, he is not a feather picker. He's a happy, well-adjsted baby who spends time both with the family, and happily amusing himself in his cage. I got him when he was 6 weeks old, and hand-fed him.

He preens and takes good care of all his other feathers, but it seems like when it comes to his tail, he has a mental block. Once in a great while, he will preen it for a minute or so, but it's not enough. I wondered if it was getting rubbed or abraded on the bars of his cage, but all his perches and such are far enough away from the bars that his tail doesen't touch.

Any suggestions?

--Oh, and by the way, like most greys are reputed, he despises baths, water droplets, etc. I bought some feather conditioning spray, and can get away with using it on him once in a while, but he really doesen't like it.

Answer 1

maybe they just cant grow one

that's all i can say and no birds are perfect

you should get a vet to look after him

Answer 2

See if the vet has any advice!  Try touching the tail as if to preen it yourself although he may not care for that.

Answer 3

ahhhhhhhhhhhh alfred hitchcock birds

Answer 4

I have never seen a grey with a long tail.