Why Are My Lovebirds Losing Their Feathers?

Lovebirds can lose their feathers due to an assortment of causes. Some feather loss is normal as birds age, molting is natural at regular intervals. Severe or unexpected feather loss, though, is a sign of health problems that should be thoroughly investigated and diagnosed by a veterinarian who specializes in avian medicine.

  1. Molting

    • Molting occurs when a healthy bird naturally loses some of its feathers and replaces them with new feathers. Adult lovebirds will molt twice a year, typically during spring and fall. Young lovebirds may also molt more sporadically or out of season. Stress, illness or poor nutrition can also prompt a lovebird to molt out of season.

    Pollifelliculitis

    • Lovebirds are prone to a condition called pollifelliculitis, which occurs when multiple feather shafts grow from a single follicle. Pollifelliculitis is believed to be caused by a viral infection that may seriously damage a lovebird's skin if the condition is left untreated. A lovebird who is suffering from pollifelliculitis may suffer from itchy skin or pluck out his own feathers trying to alleviate the skin irritation. If a lovebird suffers from untreated skin problems for long periods of time, his skin may become permanently damaged; feathers may not grow back.

    Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease

    • Psittacine beak and feather disease is a viral disease that affects lovebirds. Psittacine beak and feather disease will cause a lovebird's feathers to appear disheveled or fall out. If a lovebird is suffering from psittacine beak and feather disease, the feathers may grow back malformed or fragile, or they may not grow back at all. This disease is highly contagious and can cause long-lasting skin damage, severe illness or death.

    Nutrition

    • Lovebirds need a diet that provides them with plenty of variety, including seeds, berries, fruits and grains. Specially formulated pelleted or seed-based bird feed mixtures generally ensure lovebirds' basic nutritional needs are met. Choosing a good basic feed mixture, and adding fruits and berries, will keep lovebirds healthy. Lovebirds with unbalanced diets will suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies can cause lovebirds to experience feather loss an assorted other problems. When lovebirds are experiencing significant feather loss problems, it is a good idea to discuss diet with an avian veterinarian or a lovebird breeder who can provide instructions about the diet lovebirds need to eat to stay healthy.