Why is my parrot shedding feathers, itching, and getting red bumps?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Hello there..!! My parrot has shed feathers on chest and wing area..now he is having itching all over and red bumps we are all unaware of this kindly guide us
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 16th, 2017
He may have mites or a bacterial infection. There is also a serious viral infection that can cause similar symptoms. Have your bird examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet as soon as you can get an appointment. If your bird is caged with others, separate him until a diagnosis is made in case his condition is infectious.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on March 1st, 2018
It may be that he is just starting to get his adult feathers and as such is losing the baby "down" which you may be seeing. If he's acting otherwise healthy and normal, and you see small pointy "things" poking from the skin, then it is likely his adult feathers starting to come in. If he's itching and scratching a lot and losing large feathers, looking for causes such as parasites or infection is best. You may see redness on the skin, flecks of "stuff" under the feathers, or other irritation. A mite spray can help with parasites, however if you see visible wounds or discharge it is best to have a vet take a look. Making sure your bird is on a balanced diet can also help make sure his feathers regrow in healthy.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I received a parakeet from a friend’s grandparents. He has been kept alone for at least two years. He is always itching, plucking feathers and his face is very crusty. He appears to have no appetite and hardly makes any noise.
Poor little guy! He very possibly has scaly mites. Ideally he should be seen by an avian veterinarian, but there is an over-the-counter product called Avimec that is a drop-on remedy for scaly mites. These mites only live on the body, so you don't have to treat the cage as well, but it would be a good idea to take it apart anyway and give it a good deep cleaning just to be safe. Plenty of soap and hot water and thorough rinsing will work. Good luck with him.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello i have a parrot with bald head and chest feathers are fluffy
Ouch! Those areas look pretty irritated. A good first step is to bring your bird into a local avian vet so they can check for issues such as parasites, illness or infection, or even nutritional issues that could be causing the feather loss and dull coloration. Getting him on treatment can help improve his health. If he checks out healthy, looking for behavioral causes is a good next step. Boredom or stress can cause excessive feather plucking, so making sure he's kept in a stress-free area can help as well as adding in some enrichment to his environment. Toys that are interactable, time outside the cage bonding with you or on a playpen, and fun food and puzzle treats can help keep him interested. An Elizabethan (cone) collar can also be made to help with excessive feather plucking or scratching while the area heals.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My budgie is feeling itchy he is constantly scratching his fluffs. He isn't a tamed budgie. Is he alright and if not how should I cure him? Is there any medicine for him?
You can mist him with warm water to encourage preening. This will promote healthy plunage. If he continues to itch, it may due to mites or infection. These would require an exam with your veterinarian for confirmation. Mites can be treated with an over the counter spray. Read labels v\carefully to confirm the chosen product can be used on birds. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, perches and toys. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Change the cage paper daily. If an infection (bacterial or fungal) is diagnosed, your vet can prescribe the appropriate medication.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
One of my lovebirds has a skin problem. It has lost feathers from the bottom of the body due to itching. Its inner skin can be seen clearly, somewhat reddish in color. I hope its an infectious one....what can I do doc?
If you suspect Mittu has a skin infection you will need to bring her into your local vet for an exam and for a prescription of antibiotics to help treat it- this may be either oral or in a cream form that can be placed directly on the affected area. You can also use a clean washcloth to gently clean the area and keep it free of debris until it can be examined. It is best to rule out other causes of feather picking as well such as parasites, boredom, malnutrition, etc, which is why it is important to have a vet take a look first before attempting to treat it. Moving Mittu to a hospital cage if she is housed with other birds can also help prevent her from being picked on until she is feeling better.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my parakeet is about 6 months old and his forehead is red skin like where feathers are not growing
It looks like Pretty Boy may be having a reaction to something causing the redness. External parasites such as mites, excessive itching, and rubbing on cage bars may all cause redness or loss of feathers. Infections from bacteria or fungus may also cause feather loss and redness. It is best to have the area looked at by your vet, who can recommend treatment such as a mite medication or antifungal to help the area clear up. It can take some time for the feathers to regrow, so even after treatment it may take a little time for the area to return to normal.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Can you tell me what is this on his head please
This could be due to an infection, to Polyfolliculitis which can cause itch, or nutritional imbalances. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease due to a viral infection, Feathers mites, lice or ringworm must be ruled out first. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My budgie is facing from too much itching it has lost some of it's feathers near it's neck. There are no vets available also there is no avian medicine available here. Can you please help me with any medicine that I can get in any general medical sto
If buddy is very itchy you can try a lice or mite spray for birds (available at most pet stores) to see if that helps with any potential parasites that could be causing his itching. Making sure he's on a balanced diet can also help with any skin or nutritional issues, and making sure he has toys to prevent boredom scratching and plucking may also help. However, if you are seeing wounds, redness, swelling or the feathers are not growing back in, it would be best to try and find a vet in your area that would look at him to rule out any more serious health issues.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My budgie is loosing some of it's fluffs and it is feeling a bit of itchy I think is he alright? What should I do to prevent it?
Bathe or mist him daily with warm water to encourage preening and to promote healthy plumage. If the itching or feather loss worsens, have him examined by your veterinarian to diagnose infection or parasites. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, toys and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Change the cage paper daily.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My parrot has like greyish red spots on its head right above its beak what does this mean
It could be infection or irritation. You would need to have her physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian to definitively diagnose this or other cause.
Some birds will develop "stress bars" or spots on feathers when ill or when facing nutritional deficiency. Feather development is affected by an underlying cause resulting in darker coloration. It usually occurs in younger birds, but can happen in mature birds too.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My lovebird's feathers near eyes are coming off. The underneath skin is visible now. It keeps itself alone nowadays.
Hello! There are several issues that might be going on with your bird. Mites are a common cause of feather loss on the face. There are certain bacterial and fungal infections that can cause this as well. I noticed that your parakeet also has a cagemate - is it possible that the other bird is over-preening this bird? The only way to determine the cause of the issue is to visit your veterinarian - preferably, a vet that is comfortable treating birds, or a bird-specific vet. The vet will likely take feather and skin samples from your bird and look at them under the microscope to try to determine the cause. There isn't much that you can safely do at home to treat mites, bacteria, or fungi, so visiting your vet is the best way to get your bird the treatment he needs. Best of luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Have A Vet Question?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
