Birds hatched in spring and summer normally molt much sooner than birds hatched in autumn or winter. Since they can’t reach the feathers on their head to scratch them, you can help them out by gently scratching their heads to soothe the itchy feeling. You also need to be aware of the extra sleep they will take. Cockatiels need about 11 hours of uninterrupted rest and sleep at night. i know mine does this all the time. New born cockatiels will grow their first feathers and keep these for at least 6 months. The process takes about seven weeks. Some birds molt only once per year, while others may molt several times. Not much is known about the cause of this disease and unfortunately there isn’t a known cure. These quills are in fact undeveloped feathers behind the crest and the crest itself is often raised. They are required to keep them insulated and warm. An Amazingly Detailed Explanation of Molting in Birds. In extreme cases, the birds can lose of their feathers. Another thing that daily misting can do for birds is improve the health of their respiratory systems. Birds with the disease are usually in otherwise good health and aren’t suffering but they do tend to live shorter lives. Often, especially in parrots, this manifests itself as aggression.While aggression can be seasonal and related to hormonal issues, continually out-of-character behavior may be a sign that your bird is chronically unhappy. Also, make sure that the cockatiel’s cage is secure and the doors lock firmly. Feathers are made up of over 80% protein so to generate all that extra protein for their new feathers, you need to feed them foods rich in protein. French molt is when fledgling birds who are ready to leave the nest suddenly lose all of their newly acquired tail and flight feathers. Some males can learn to talk, but this often takes a great deal of repetition. They are excellent at preventing many health problems, including abnormal molts. Although not noticeable, cockatiels are actually in a continuous state of molt 12 months a year. Save Share. The feathers can also be used as a warning to others. Affectionate Cockatiel up close and cuddly. It is also known by the name “BFD” (Budgerigar Fledgling Disease). My vet cant see my tiel until friday and i am panicking a little because shes molting heavily, eating alot and drinking ALOT of water, and shes having these huge droppings, loose and saturated with water, is this normal during the molt for them to drink so much water and have diarrhea? They will need lots of love. However other peacocks will not loose their tail until September, with a few stubborn tail feathers clinging on for months. Posted In About Cockatiels, Cockatiel Care, Cockatiel Health, Cockatiel News. If they keep getting woken up, they get cranky and stressed and that could bring on an abnormal molt. If your cockatiel does not seem to go through this process or it actually moults to often then you should consider a trip to the vet for a consultation just to check that there are no signs of an underlying illness. A baby cockatiel will have its first baby molt at about 6 months old. During a heavy molt, a large number of the cockatiels’ main feathers will be replaced. I welcome you to this blog, and invite you to learn more about me and my family. Molting is a phase where birds shed their feathers at a specific time of the year. Your bird’s body language will … Baby cockatiels eat no fruits and vegetables until they are 5-6 weeks, at least. One of the biggest and most easily recognizable signs that a bird is depressed is a sudden change in personality. Discussion Starter • #6 • Nov 21, 2012. In gray cockatiels, before the first molt, the male and female babies look like adult females (hens) in terms of color. While preening, your bird will get water on his/her beak and use that water to apply moisture to other feathers that are still dry. Both plant and animal proteins are a key part of the diet as well as a vitamin and mineral supplements. Bread soaked in milk, freshly caught insects, hard-boiled eggs and bird pellets containing protein are all excellent sources of protein to help them through the molting process. The Molting Process in Parrots, Molting parrot Molting is a physiological phenomenon that involves the replacement of existing feathers with new feathers and that can lead to misinterpretation of plumage quality. This is the reason I have often bought the wrong sex of cockatiel from the pet shop. Adult females (hens) have a grey head and light grey body. Eliminate soft foods. They are not just so they look pretty, they are used for identification purposes. If you move your cockatiels to an outside aviary, then you would want to do that in nice weather, and let them adapt to colder winter temperatures gradually. A molt may be partial and replace just some of a bird's feathers or complete when all the feathers are replaced at once. Apart from the itching, a cockatiel will be a bit more subdued and lethargic than usual during the molting. Captive birds in the home are often deprived of humidity in the air that would normally be in their natural environments. The food dishes should also not slide out too easily, as some cockatiels are escape artists (like mine). To compensate for this, you should increase the level of vitamins your cockatiel eats either by eating more fruit and vegetables and/or taking vitamin supplements for birds. The time it takes to complete a molt varies for different species, but may last as little as two weeks or as long as several years. This can be diagnosed by a vet and treated with special dietary supplements. Molting is the process of a bird shedding old, worn feathers to replace them with fresh plumage. the winter grounds. Another possible cause of abnormal molting is a lack of certain amino acids in the diet. Since they can’t fly, the birds are nicknamed “runners” or “infantrymen”. Hi, my name is Birdy. An abnormal molt is also a molt that occurs in the wrong season. Besides replacing old or damaged feathers, molting also helps to regulate a bird’s body temperature during the winter. The moulting process is very natural and all cockatiels will do it. But if they did not have that advantage, it does time, patience and persistence! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Male cockatiels are typically very active and outgoing and will often learn to whistle before they molt into their adult colors. Or check him out on Facebook. I appreciate any donation you can spare to help me pay for the upkeep of this website and add new content. Their parents should feed them. I was just wondering if anyone had any pics or info about molts regarding normal grey cockatiels, preferably males. since its under the wings as well it could be a parasite. Cockatiels are known for their "pickiness" when it comes to trying out new food items. Also, cockatiels can’t see very well at night and are prone to night frights because they think that every noise is a predator. This can happen very quickly with a mature peacock losing all it’s tail feathers within a week. When baby cockatiels are about 3 weeks old, their parents might give up … Tags: about cockatiels, caring for cockatiels, cockatiel care, cockatiel feathers, molting, moulting. Some cases of French molt are less serious and the birds only lose a few tails feathers with which they are still able to fly. The main reason why your cockatiel loses feathers or molts is that they are considered dead organic parts like our human fingernails. In the weeks before, the plumage is naturally duller, which can deceive the clinician. Remember to keep up the healthy diet. Under a year old: Cockatiels under a year old will generally have duller colors than adult birds, even after going through their first adult molt. This is when the cockatiel sheds some of it’s feathers allowing for the new growth to come through. So how do you get your cockatiel to … It is now winter in Australia and our cockatiels are moulting…They are shedding feathers more than usual. Here are some more things you could do to prevent the loss of your cockatiel. Originally from Australia, cockatiels are used to living in varied temperatures in the wild. shes acting normal other than that, i have an appointment Friday with our avian vet. Different species of birds molt at different times, and molting often coincides with the seasons, migrations, nutritional status, or reproductive cycle. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Your parrot will molt about 1-2 times a year. Future molts won’t be as intensive. Don’t be alarmed if they are less active or even moody, it is quite normal during a heavy moulting period. Do not feed your birds any soft foods, such as pasta, beans, and moist bread. In cockatiels, the cause of the stress is often due to them not being used to their new surroundings and/or being disturbed at night. They generally do so during the winter season, but they do so each year. If you suspect night frights as the cause, you should get your bird a night light to put by its cage and make a special effort to ensure your cockatiel gets plenty of peace, quiet and rest at night. I would love to see pictures of males before their first molt and after. Also the feathers show what sort of mood they are in especially the crest feathers. For this reason, their wing and tail feathers may get a bit tattered. If they are, their bodies can reach unsafe temperatures, and they may not survive. Depending on the species, a complete molt can take as little as a month or last up to 6 months or even longer. It is best if fresh foods and a varied diet is provided from early on. They protect them from the elements, like water and temperatures and dust. Before their first molt, baby cockatiels often have “quills” on top of their heads. Also it is a time when they are prone to sickness so watch for any tale tale signs. It is a stressful time for your cockatiels when they moulting, so be extra nice and attentive. Here in Australia, the land of cockatiels I would recommend Dr Ross Perry, he also does remote consultations just follow the instructions on his website. But during a moulting period they will shed a considerable amount. A common cause of abnormal molt is due to a problem with the thyroid gland. Molting can be uncomfortable for the cockatiel and it can cause them to get a bit cranky. When do birds moult? Any info is appreciated. Yes, cockatiels molt. i would take her to the vet. You will know that they are moulting by the excessive amount of various feathers from all over the body including lots more dust or flakes. The male will only lose the yellow after his first molt, and unfortunately, some cockatiels don’t molt until they are nine months old. It is especially necessary at this time to feed them a very healthy diet and keep a close eye on them as they will be using lots of their nutrients to grow and replace the feathers. Want to help keep this site alive? My avian vet discourages the use of a blow dryer, although many people do use them. Starlings complete their molt in about three months. It can be seen clearly on baby cockatiels. This serious disease means that the worst affected birds can’t fly and look really shabby and in bad condition. At around six weeks old, cockatiel chicks will begin to do a lot of flapping as they learn to fly. The heaviest molt will usually be just after the breeding season after the young have become independent. Baby cockatiels have a lot of fluffy downy feathers that it needs as insulation to keep warm after birth. Cockatiels have feathers for a few reasons. It is not uncommon to find feathers in the cage at any time. This is to make way for new feathers after the breeding season and grow in new, fresh and strong feathers as if he was replacing old, worn-out clothes with new ones. Remember to trim the wings regularly and especially after a molt. In the winter, it’s a good idea to provide a lamp as a source of heat. Only after shredding of old feather, male birds get their vivid orange cheek patches. It is a form of protein and helps to keep the feather protected whilst it grows. Cockatiels are masters of disguise! It’s only after the first molt that it’s possible to identify the sex of a cockatiel by its color. Cockatiels will do a heavy molt twice a year – once in the spring and the second molt in around August – September. Cockatiels live anywhere from 15 to 25 years, and you have had him for almost eight years. So when you buy a bird, find out when its natural moulting season is, so you can keep an eye open for it. Abnormal molts brought on by stress usually result in heavy molts at times of the year when they shouldn’t be molting. The bird’s natural processes do not repair the feathers, but instead replace them when the need arises, like during a change in season. As I have already mentioned it is important to keep up a healthy diet. The first prebasic molt is not complete, since the If you suspect French molt in some of your cockatiels, you should take them to a veterinary for diagnosis because it could well be an abnormal molt which can be treated (see below). Also, cockatiels are instinctually very social and can become moody or aggressive if not given attention and time out of the cage every day. Cockatiels’ feathers get damaged for many reasons – preening, nesting, extreme temperatures and rubbing against the cage all take their toll on their feathers.