I have a 3yr old, beautiful blue ringed parakeet, Gandalf.
Over the last couple of weeks he has started losing his feathers on his head and looks extremely tatty for it. He is still his chirpy old self, and I havn`t changed any of his food.
Any ideas what could be causing it?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I have a 3yr old, beautiful blue ringed parakeet, Gandalf.
Over the last couple of weeks he has started losing his feathers on his head and looks extremely tatty for it. He is still his chirpy old self, and I havn`t changed any of his food.
Any ideas what could be causing it?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.Ive 2 red rump parakeets...... if the bird is healthy??? then its moulting. Just top up on a little Vitamin for the bird.

Below is a list of foods that are healthy for parakeets but categorized according to the vitamin benefit. Broccoli, asparagus and spinach are the vegetables that contain the most amount of required vitamins:

Vitamin A Alfalfa, Broccoli, Carrots, Egg Yolks, Spinach, Zucchini
Vitamin B Asparagus, Broccoli, Eggs, Nuts
Vitamin C Asparagus, Broccoli, Potatoes, Zucchini
Vitamin D Egg Yolk
Vitamin E Alfalfa, Egg Yolk, Spinach
Vitamin K Alfalfa, Spinach
Calcium Broccoli, Dandelion, Kale, Mineral Block
Protein Beans, Corn, Fish


A molting bird is not ill, though it needs a bit of supportive care.



is the birds appetite good? droppings normal ? if your worried see the vet!

He is very happy and seems healthy in every other way.
I think I just wanted some reassurance.

Is that you on your avatar? You look like my hubby:hihi:

He is very happy and seems healthy in every other way.
I think I just wanted some reassurance.

Is that you on your avatar? You look like my hubby:hihi:

they can lose there feathers through stress too... and yep thats me... one wife is enough thanks...:P
although some so called mates do call me Grant Mitchell?

As madowl said, he could just be moulting. Supplememt his diet with fresh fruit and veggies, and you can also buy a moulting mix to add to his current feed. I have 3 lineolatd parakeets that I rescued and whilst they will never be the hardiest birds, I've managed to pull them round.

Are you feeding the bird a fully seed diet? If this is the case, find a good quality pellet to add to the seed. Kaytee are a good brand.

Also, as madowl mentioned, stress can be a huge factor with birds and it can be something you'd never consider stressful.

Have you changed cages or added lots of new toys? Is the bird in a consistent environment, not too hot or cold? Away from draughts and cooking smells etc. Teflon used in cooking utensils gives off a gas that can be lethal to birds.

Can I recommend that you join a forum specific to your bird. they can be a valuable wealth of knowledge.

Gandalf gets a very varied diet, different seeds and plenty of fresh fruit and veg.(didn`t realise that he could have fish)
However I have moved his cage recently, This morning having thought about it I have moved it back to where it was, as he started losing the feathers just after I had moved his cage. Hopefully this will help, it may have been a stress thing, he likes to be where all the action is!
Will let you know how we get on!

Hi, let's see if that makes a difference. I'd definitely get some egg food supplement to add to his diet as that really does help during breeding and moulting periods.

Also, how often do you spray your birds? I use a concentrated solution in a water spray bottle and spray my guys every day. They love it and it helps them to plume themselves :)

Good Luck

Hi, let's see if that makes a difference. I'd definitely get some egg food supplement to add to his diet as that really does help during breeding and moulting periods.

Also, how often do you spray your birds? I use a concentrated solution in a water spray bottle and spray my guys every day. They love it and it helps them to plume themselves :)

Good Luck

Can I get that food supplement from pets at home?
He gets sprayed everyday, he loves it and gets the face on if you forget!

Can I get that food supplement from pets at home?
He gets sprayed everyday, he loves it and gets the face on if you forget!

Hi,

Yep, PAH do a couple of types of egg food. Some prefer to add a few drops of water and have a seperate feeder, personally I just mix it in with my birds seed (which I refresh daily anyway).

Mine LOVE being sprayed too lol They hang upside down and spread their wings out to get the full pleasure of the water :)

thanks for that, will nip down in the morning and get some.
Yeah, Gandalf does the upside down thing with his wings spread so you don`t miss any where!

Gandalf`s much better now.
It seems he may have been stressed out with me moving his cage. I moved him back to his old spot stocked him up on fresh veg and he`s looking much better.
He`s now stopped losing his feathers and he`s returned to his super brightest blue colour.
Thanx for all your advice guys!:)

Glad to hear he his much better.

Do u have any pictures of Gandalf

Gandalf`s much better now.
It seems he may have been stressed out with me moving his cage. I moved him back to his old spot stocked him up on fresh veg and he`s looking much better.
He`s now stopped losing his feathers and he`s returned to his super brightest blue colour.
Thanx for all your advice guys!:)

Awww...good news :)

Glad to hear he his much better.

Do u have any pictures of Gandalf

Yeah they`re not very good though, don`t do im any justice as he dosn`t stay still long enugh and has a very bad habit of attacking the camera!
But here he is........................
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w202/lyndix/march07041.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w202/lyndix/march07042.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w202/lyndix/march07043.jpg

Yeah they`re not very good though, don`t do im any justice as he dosn`t stay still long enugh and has a very bad habit of attacking the camera!
But here he is........................
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w202/lyndix/march07041.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w202/lyndix/march07042.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w202/lyndix/march07043.jpg

Very handsome chap....lovely colour. Ringnecks are lovely birds :) x