What Does It Mean When Birds Start to Lose Feathers?

Feather loss is similar to fur loss in other animals. In some cases, such as shedding or molting, it's normal and necessary, In other cases it indicates a problem. If your bird is losing his feathers in odd patches, has inflamed or irritated skin, or is constantly pulling at his feathers, or if the remaining feathers look ragged and broken, find the cause. Don't hesitate to consult a vet.

  1. Molting

    • All birds molt at least once a year, some even more. During a molt, the feathers will naturally shed from your bird's body in a bilateral pattern, quickly replaced with new ones. You should see no signs of chewing or plucking -- such as ratty, broken ends or small pieces of the shaft, or feather base, still embedded in the skin. Some molts are complete; all of the feathers are replaced. Some are partial molts. It depends on the type of bird and the season.

    Stress and Boredom

    • An unhappy bored bird, or conversely, one that is stressed, will pull his own feathers out. This is characterized by random sparse patches and damaged feathers. Give your bird toys to keep him busy; spend extra time with him to ease his boredom. Make sure that he has plenty of cage space, that he isn't crowded or bullied by cage mates, and that nothing in his environment is causing him stress, such as another pet like a cat or dog.

    Parasites and Fungus

    • Mites and parasites may cause your bird to itch and pick at his skin but are not a primary cause of feather loss. Fungus, on the other hand, can cause an infection that creates feather loss. It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference. Since your bird is pulling at his feathers in such a circumstance, it might be difficult to differentiate the cause from stress or boredom. One clue that a fungal infection may be to blame for feather loss is red and inflamed skin or follicles. Check with your veterinarian to diagnose parasites and fungal infections, and provide treatment.

    Illness and Diet

    • Diseases and malnutrition can cause your bird to lose his feathers. A sudden loss of feathers unrelated to molting may be a sign of kidney disease, liver damage, upper respiratory infection or tumor. Allergies and hypothyroidism can cause feather loss. A bird fed a diet consisting exclusively of seeds is unlikely to be receiving adequate nutrition for feather production. Feeding your bird nothing but seeds can lead to hypovitaminosis A, which in turn leads to feather loss. In case of disease or malnutrition, feathers fall out on their own as with molting, but not in any specific pattern. It also occurs outside of regular molting season. Have your bird should be examined by a veterinarian if you suspect disease or malnutrition, and make regular visits part of his lifestyle.