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The most common cause of feather loss in birds is feather picking. This is a very frustrating problem that can be caused by numerous factors:
Mites, lice, bacteria and fungal (yeast) infections Hormonal imbalances Dietary deficiencies Injury Underlying disease processes that secondarily affect the skin Psychological problems (boredom, etc.)
 Some of these problems are easy to correct, while others are more difficult or impossible to resolve.
MITES, LICE, INFECTIONS:
Often these problems can be solved with dusting the bird with medicine or using oral treatments.
Diagnosis is generally made by examination of the feathers under the microscope, or by taking cultures of the feathers.
HORMONAL IMBALANCES:
Sometimes improper activity of the thyroid gland, ovaries, or testicles can result in feather picking.
Blood tests or biopsies (small sections of skin) may be needed for accurate diagnosis.
DIETARY DEFICIENCIES:
A lack of protein, fatty acids, certain vitamins or minerals can result in feather loss and/or feather
picking. Sometimes the fault is not in the diet, but rather the bird's ability to utilize the nutrients included in the food. A good history often provides clues as to the cause. Diet changes generally help.
INJURIES / UNDERLYING DISEASE:
Sometimes an injury or illness (gout, tumors, arthritis) can cause the bird to hurt or itch. When he
hurts or itches the bird may then pick at the area. Generally these causes are suspected when only one area of the body is attacked. Often it is difficult to cure these individuals because the real cause
is not treatable since the stress cannot be alleviated.
PSYCHOLOGICAL:
By far, the most common cause of feather loss !
These types of feather pickers can be the most difficult to cure and have the highest incidence of recurrence.
Common psychological factors are:
Unhappiness - can occur over such minor things as moving the cage to a different location or
transferring the bird to a new cage. Arguments between family members can create stress feather picking as well as the disappearance of a favorite family member.
Boredom - is generally due to lack of exercise, decreased attention or no variation in environment.
Changes in the cage or more attention can and usually does help. A companion bird may be the solution (it's a gamble because it can also make things worse), especially if the feather picking bird is
very "people oriented".
Lack of Privacy - is usually seen in new birds or established birds after a new addition is made.
Usually the addition of a nesting box will reduce or eliminate the problem.
Bad Habit - is often the underlying cause, such as people that bite their finger nails or pulls their hair
out. These are frustrating!
Treatment of the cause of feather picking can vary widely but the method of stopping the behavior is initially
the same whatever the underlying cause. An Elizabethan Collar (cone-shaped collar) is applied around the
neck of the bird. It may take the bird several hours (or days) to adjust to the unusualness of the collar. During this time the perches should be placed low in the cage and food / water should also be moved to
within easy reach of the collared bird. Often the collar is left on the bird for 1 - 2 months!! This is necessary
to try to break the habit that the bird has developed. Often all feathers will not regrow for many months or
until the bird goes through a natural molt. In severe cases the feathers may never regrow or take years to
come back. Occasionally bitter liquids (i.e. Bitter Apple) can be sprayed on the affected area to try to dissuade the bird from picking himself.
REMEMBER............PATIENCE IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN TRYING TO SOLVE FEATHER LOSS
PROBLEMS IN OUR PET BIRDS!
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