bad molt

[dbryant]

My male Scarlet chest parakeet is molting and i hope that is all. he has two bald places on his head. Im guessing because he is itchy and is digging at his head with his feet. I havent found any evidence of mites .
Without seeing him can anyone confirm my findings of a bad molt? Does anyone elses babys get bald patches from a molt?
Poor little kiwi looks so pitiful. He is playing and eating very very well, and sings up a storm each morning and evening.

[Valo's Moirana]

how often does he bathe? i don't think that bald spots on the head are part of a molt.... ours never had bald spots, but i did see a budgie with slightly balding spots on the chest due to a molt....
you might wanna bring him to the vet to be on the safe side - comments on that without seeing the baby is pretty much impossible... (aka your question to "without seeing him to confirm your findings" is mission impossible )

[MaryG1959]

how old is your bird? Have you ever had him checked by a vet?

[Cindy215]

He should see a vet. Digging at his head isn't normal. Molting season is end of summer although you could be having a soft molt (protracted from too much protein)...but it doesnt sound like that to me. Molting should be symetrical. Meaning pin feathers on his head pretty evenly. Not really bald spots.

Could be parasites, allergy to pellets, vitamin deficiency, skin infection....alot of things.

Please don't do any home remedies or over the counter stuff that people might recommend. Insecticides are very powerful, have side effects and you'll be lowering his immune system using them. Then if it's not the right remedy for the right illness/bug he'll have a lowered immune system and be suseptible to more illnesses. It could also interfere with the right medicine that a vet might want to prescribe.

[Monica]

Just one question... does he have any cage mates?

[AbbeyNMommy]

Good question Monica!
Abbey never has bald spots while moulting.
I did have a budgie Mickie who did though and when I took him to the vet, it was nerves, from the other bird bothering him!
If budgies are scared or nervous,,,,,they will pluck out their feathers!