Skin Problems in Parrots

Under their feathers, parrots have skin much like our own. The main difference between their skin and our is that parrots produce feathers instead of hair. Parrots can experience skin irritations and infections under the cover of their feathers or on the skin of their legs, feet and cere, which is the area around their nostrils. There are several common skin problems that a parrot owner should watch out for. Any changes in the skin of a parrot should be immediately brought to the attention of an avian veterinarian.

  1. Ulcerative Dermatitis

    • Ulcerative dermatitis appears as red, oozing and swollen skin. Like in humans, skin ulcers can be a sign of diabetes. Other causes include infection, parasites or self-mutilating behavior. Treatment for ulcerative dermatitis includes cleaning the wound and applying a topical ointment. An avian veterinarian might also prescribe an antibiotic. The most important aspect of treatment is to determine the root cause.

    Missing Feathers

    • Missing feathers or bald spots on a parrot are usually signs of plucking, but if the bald area is on the head, then there is almost always another cause. The most common cause for a balding head is over-preening by a mate, but if the bird is solitary, there must be another reason. Soft food can become matted to the feathers and cause skin irritation or infection. The result of which would be feather loss. This is commonly seen in adult parrots that like to dip their food in water to soften it and in babies being reared.

    Scaly Skin

    • The feet and legs of a parrot are naturally covered in scales, but when that skin becomes flaky or powdery, the bird is experiencing a medical problem. Scaly skin is also commonly seen on the cere. Causes of scaly skin range from infections and parasites to an imbalanced diet. A bird with scaly skin should be seen by an avian veterinarian right away to determine the cause.

    Xanthomas

    • Xanthomas are yellow- or orange-colored skin tumors composed of lipids and cholesterol. The area is usually thickened or raised with dimples. These growths are often found in the breast area, thighs or wing tips. Xanthomas growths are invasive and usually require surgical removal. These types of growths are most common in budgies, cockatiels and cockatoos. The cause is unknown, but high-fat diets are suspected.