I hope this is molting

[Ginkai]

When I took Suki out today I noticed her feathers where looking very scraggy and ruffled. So here I am panicking that something is wrong with her, or she's started plucking or something terrible. She has alot of pin feathers around her neck and where she will let me touch. Is she molting or is something wrong with her?

Heres a picture to help you help me
P.S she was just getting head scratches from me so thats why she is a little bit fluffed up. And otherwise she is acting completely normal

 

[MacawGuy]

i really cant tell but it does not look like she is plucking

 

[Ginkai]

Would more pictures help? I hope I'm just freaking out about a bad hair day and theres nothing wrong with her, but with the wealth of knowledge on this forum I thought better safe to ask

 

[Akraya]

Just looks like a scraggly molt to me, I know mine are molting and don't look their best (brisbane weather ftw)

 

[Alisana]

Could you post a close up picture of where the feathers are the worst and possibly her beak?

 

[Alisana]

If you can, get a picture of her skin (if she has bare patches). Also, is she dropping the same levels of 'too dust or less?

[Edit] You can also tell by looking at their feet. Refer to the image below and notice the dark colouration of this galah's feet.

Caption for image: "Young galah shows typical signs of early chronic form of Psittacine Beak Feather Disease circovirus infection"

From what I can see, her feet aren't as dark as the galah pictured above, but it's hard to tell based on the photo quality.

Being the owner, you should be able to notice if there are any other conditions that have changed with her. Look for things such as darkened feet, discolouring of feathers, scaly beak, etc. Changes from when you originally got her. Some birds do have a scaly beak, but if it is showing severe signs of this, get her to a vet ASAP.

If this is her first molt and she is 'new' with you, birds can sometimes have a haphazard molt because they're holding it off until they can trust their "new flock". (It's to do with survival) Weather (as Akraya has said) can sometimes play a part in their molt.

If in doubt, go and visit an avian vet.

 

[Ginkai]

I've owned her a few months and never noticed any 'too dust. Her beak is perfectly normal but I'll watch that thanks alisana. I'm hoping to bring her into vet soon for checkup anyway so I'll then.

 

[PortaPerch]

Suki looks just like Chewbaca, who seems to be molting now, judging by the feathers around. The feathers are from all over, not just pinkies. Her flight feathers grow out one at a time.

 

[Ginkai]

Thanks portaperch they do look the same. And I have been finding a few more feathers recently, and no bald patches on her. Thanks you've put my mind at ease.

 

[MaraWentz]

Yep that looks like a molt. Def. not plucking and she doesn't look like an over preener.

 

[melissasparrots]

Unless you start to see a lot more down feathers poking though in patches or feathers in general starting to look really thin in areas, I'd vote for molting. She just doesn't have the plucker look yet unless she hasn't been doing it long enough to show.