Why are my Alexandrine parrot's feathers turning black and red fading?

Dark feather discoloration could indicate a Vitamin A deficiency. If you bird eats mostly seeds, I recommend gradually weaning him over to a pelleted diet, such as Harrison's bird diet. Some foods that are high in vitamin A include carrots, sweet potato, kale, spinach, red pepper, mangoes, and apricots. Try sprinkling a little chili powder or paprika, both containing vitamin A, over vegetables for a little added boost and change of pace.

Thanks for reaching out about Mango and including a photo. There are a few possible causes for this. Nutritional deficiencies and some viral disease can cause improper pigmentation and a veterinary visit is recommended to assess. But, if you pet him a lot in this region, the oils from our hands can sometimes elicit this change to black but to loss of pigmentation, and this is not a medical concern. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Alexx. If being feed a proper nutrition, then no vitamins are needed. A diet should consist of a wide variety of vegetables, a plant-based protein source (legumes, beans), a commercially available avian pellets and some seed. Poor molting can often be associated with malnutrition, low protein, calcium or other nutrients. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Chicky. Paling of color could be due to lack of dietary pigments in the food, especially if giving seed. Pellets, fresh vegetables in all color are important for the ingested precursors of colors. Other diseases including viral, metabolic and hormonal concerns can also lead to these changes. If concerned of other clinical signs present, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Goldie. Black pigments (melanin) is often a response to previous trauma. Nutritional deficiencies can also lead to feather color changes. Exposure to light and ultraviolet wavelengths is needed for activation of vitamin D3 from the uropygial (preen) gland, but that usually does not reflect in color changes. Increasing exposure to vegetables and proteins (cooked beans) can provide nutrients for feather regrowth, and that might help. If the condition worsens, an examination with an avian veterinarian is needed. Good luck.

Stress and diet can both contribute to feather health and coloring. As long as your bird is behaving normally otherwise, there is likely no cause for concern. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite, loose droppings or excessive feather loss (not due to molting). These are symptoms that should be addressed by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian.

Thanks for reaching out about Shamrock. Feather color can be affected by a lack of pigments in the diet, metabolic causes (liver function or intestinal absorption) and some possible viral diseases. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan, and to review diet. Good luck.