If your cockatoo is losing feathers, you might want to help him. But before that, you need to know exactly why he is losing feathers. Several reasons cause cockatoos’ feathers to fall off; let’s discuss them with remedies.
Cockatoos lose their feathers when molting, have a feather disease, or if they have depression and they are intentionally plucking feathers. Molting is natural and does not need treatment. But feather diseases and plucking behavior needs treatment.
Feather Loss in Molting
Cockatoos molt 1-2 times every year. It is a natural and essential process of feather regeneration. The old feathers fall off, and new feathers emerge. The cockatoo molting season starts in fall and ends in spring, but it can vary according to climate. Moreover, it can be slightly different for all cockatoos.
Cockatoo molting does not need any kind of treatment. But since it is an irritating process for the bird, they must be given more care and a good diet.
Feather Loss Due to Self destructive Behaviors
Cockatoos losing feathers due to self-destructive behaviors is common. It can be stopped with proper treatment.
Excessive Preening
Preening is a simple process in which cockatoos clean their feathers with their beaks and it is good for their feathers. While preening sometimes they do excessive plucking of feathers which leaves patches of uncovered skin.
Although this happens unintentionally, if it is not controlled, cockatoos get addicted to feather plucking. The lack of feathers on their body makes them vulnerable to skin diseases.
Feather Plucking
Like in preening, cockatoos sometimes start plucking their feathers but intentionally. This usually happens when the bird is depressed.
Although cockatoos look happy and playful, they have a sensitive nature like children. Lack of attention, proper diet, and an abusive environment can cause depression.
How to Treat Feather Plucking Behavior in Cockatoos?
If you observe that your cockatoo is rapidly losing feathers unlike in the molting process, consult an avian. Cockatoos can be stopped from plucking feathers if they are provided medical treatment, a good diet, and toys to play with.
Feather Loss Due to Diseases and Mites Infestation
Besides molting, cockatoos can lose feathers if infected with diseases like PBFD and feather mites.
PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease)
PBFD is lethal, and this is why it is also called “Bird Aids”. It rarely occurs in cockatoos; since 1970, only 50 cases of birds infected with PBFD have been reported. (1)
Sadly, PBFD is untreatable; all you can do is keep the bird in a helpful environment. Doing so only reduces the impact of disease and slightly prolongs the bird’s life. The signs of PBFD can take months or years to appear but once they do, the bird has only 6-12 months left.
French Molt
French molt is similar to PBDF, it also causes the loss of feathers. In french molt, the birds keep molting all year and cannot fly at all. French Molt is rare; the signs appear in cockatoos during their first few months. It is untreatable in infected birds, but vaccines are available to protect the uninfected birds. (2)
Feather Mites
Feather mites are red mites; they suck on cockatoo’s blood and cause severe irritation. This irritation leads to the cockatoo plucking its feathers. (3)
Cockatoos infested with red mites look inactive and unhappy. Since red mites live inside the cracks of cages and nest boxes, they constantly attack cockatoos for a long time.
Feather mites can be treated with sprays and powders. Moreover, the infested birds can also be treated with medication to restore their health.
Conclusion
If your cockatoo occasionally loses feathers and recovers in a few weeks, it is molting, and you don’t need to worry about it. However, your parrot needs medical attention if it is consistently losing feathers.
