New to the forum - help with molting lovebird please!

[AleishaB]

Hi everyone

I have recently joined the forum and am seeking advice regarding my male lovebird Iggy.

He is about 4 years old and this might be his first molt. Firstly, is that strange?

I have noticed pin feathers, particularly on his back around his shoulders, for about 1 month now.

But in the last week or so it has got increasingly severe and he is losing feathers rapidly and it looks very sore / scabbed.

I am worried that this is from a disease or plucking, but I have been watching him and he doesn't pull the feathers - they just fall out. And there are some large pin 'blood' feathers in the area, suggesting it might not be from a disease? One of these black pin feathers is visible in the attached photo.

I am no expert, so am hoping somebody might be able to help. I am unsure whether or not this is normal and to let the molt progress, or to take him to a vet.

Thanks very much!
Aleisha

 

[WilliamKenyon]

Hi welcome to the forum. From what i can see this looks like he is feather plucking but it could be caused by some other medical condition. going by your birds age he would not be having his first molt as most parrots have it between 8 to 12 moths of age and he is 4. He may be going through a molt at the moment but birds even in severe molts do not loose that many feathers. I would recommend that you see an avian veterinarian so that they can get him checked up on. If it is plucking the vets should make up a collar for him to stop him plucking. he may also have a combination of problems like he had a cut on his back and so started to pluck his feathers and pick at the scab creating a bigger issue. I hope this helps and that you find out what is wrong with him soon, good luck. :41:

 

[MyFlock]

No not normal. I'd have him checked by your Avian vet.