Itchy face?

[Missi]

Actually, I think I've figured it out. I gave her another shower after leaving my last post and looked at the itcy area wetted down. There are a few pin feathers all the way down to the skin so I can't help her remove them yet. They must be soooo itchy!

[Missi]

Jasmine has been scratching her face around her beak more than usual lately. All around it, top and sides. She is getting a couple little spots of missing feathers where she scratches. I held her down and checked for mites, none visible. I looked at a bunch of spots at the feather base for signs of beak and feather disease (God forbid), they looked healthy. No feather base spotting visible. There are tiny pin feathers at the spot on top where the "most" feather loss is noticable. Skin looks healthy and pink where she is scratching. So what the heck is going on?
I have noticed she has a bit more dander than usual around those spots. I have been slacking on her daily showers and outside walks lately, maybe that's the problem? Could it be her diet? She gets a well varied mix of fruits and veggies twice daily, Zupreem all natural pellets while I'm at work during the day. I'm clueless. Thank you.

[mizbirdy]

How old is Jasmine?? It could be that she's molting & those pin feathers you're seeing are coming thru & they itch. Be carefull giving scritches in those areas till the feathers come in more. You might try giving her more showers to see if that helps....

[Valo's Moirana]

possible molt would be my forst guess too... newly incoming feathers itch like crazy - you might wanna help scratch a little

[Missi]

She's only 5 months old. A molt at 5 months

[veryorignal]

My bird Bug started around 5 or 6 months for his first molt... i have to tell you to Jasmine is beautiful!

[leighrivera161]

My G2 was 5 months when I got her and scratched the same place by nostrils constanly. she would also shove her nail up her nose to make herself sneeze. I was horrified that she might be sick. As I learned about my girl, I realized it was new pin feathers coming in. Not only do they itch, but the scratching is their way of popping that coating of of the feathers, ya know the stuff that looks like plastic capping. Anyway, if you help her a little with some scratches and a light roll the tips of the feathers between your finger tips, you will help to pop open the feather for her. In the wild, they preen each other in hard to reach spots like from the neck up. So you have to be the preening buddy! This is a good bonding method also. But NOTE, dont go too far down on the shaft where its pink. Thats the blood line and you could pop it too early and it will bleed.

[Monica]

If it's not molting, then my next best guess would be pellets.... Ekkies and pellets don't normally mix well!

First off you might try giving her daily spritz, doesn't have to be soaking, but enough to dampen her feathers. Could go as far as putting together 1 part aloe vera juice to 10 parts water, and spritzing this on her to help soften the pin feathers and relieve itchy skin.

[mizbirdy]

According to the Land of Vos (landofvos.com), ekkies start molting around 9 mos. of age, so I'd go with Monica's post....

[The Outlaw]

Also, keep an eye on her nares (nose holes) and make sure they are dry. Sometimes birds will scratch that area (sinus) if something is awry. Also, if you are now heating, it may be about your home needing added moisture. Either install a humidifier or a cool mist vaporizer near her cage. Ideally, you are shooting for humidity levels between 45 and 50% when you live with parrots.

I just noted you have a Florida address. I assume, therefore, its not a humidity problem.