Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my 3-month-old canary losing feathers and acting sick?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female | unspayed | 3 months and 17 days old

my canary is about 3 months old she is a mix of a northern dutch canary and a beige satinette canary...she has started to lose her feathers and i am concerned because it seems slightly early for her to be moulting as she has not gained all her feathers yet and still is a baby bird also she looks slightly unwell, she has ruffled feathers most of the day and naps...i have been giving her a few vitamin supplements and she is still losing feathers is this normal? what can i do to help her?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on July 18th, 2018

Baby birds can lose feathers in what looks like a molt as their adult feathers come in. If she is molting, you will see new feathers, called pin feathers, sticking out of the skin (they look like little needles). If she is otherwise healthy and active and on a balanced diet I wouldn't be too concerned, however you did mention she is a bit lethargic.

If she is losing feathers and isn't growing in new ones, and remains lethargic or begins to decrease her eating/drinking habits, have changes in stool, etc, then seeking out an exam in person is best to rule out any issues such as parasites, illness, nutrient issues, etc that could be causing her symptoms. Keeping her eating and drinking, warm, and away from any other birds that may pick on her if she is ill can also help until you can get to a vet.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My 2-month-old bird is losing feathers, is this normal or illness?

If Naomi is showing signs of illness, poor growth, not growing in adult feathers while losing others, etc it is best to seek veterinary care in person for an exam. They can help determine if there is a cause such as illness or malnutrition preventing her normal growth. It is normal for baby birds to lose their down feathers as they grow in adult ones, you can check this by looking for pinfeathers (small pointy objects sticking out the skin) that indicate new feathers are being formed and growing in. This is not an instant process and there may be patches of baldness where the old feathers fall out and new grow in during this stage.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Why is my pet bird losing feathers but still eating and active?

It is most likely that your bird is either picking out her feather because of stress or boredom or that she is molting. Since she is eating well and otherwise acting like herself I think it is less likely that she is ill. Make sure you are feeding her a well balanced diet of pellets, small amounts of fruits and veggies and minimal amounts of seeds. If she continues to lose feathers for more than a couple weeks or if she stops eating, then I would recommend taking her in to be evaluated by your veterinarian. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My pigeon is losing feathers and looks thin. Is she sick or molting?

Molting time is different for each individual bird, so yes, molting is possible if it is that time for Sheephony. You may see new feathers, called pin feathers, growing in to replace the old if this is the case (they look like little pins sticking out of the skin, hence the name). Other potential causes of feather loss can include nutritional issues, parasites on the skin, infections, illness, etc, so if she seems otherwise unhealthy or ill, or you aren't seeing new feathers growing in, scheduling an exam with your vet is best. In some cases, birds will also pluck feathers if bored or stressed, so adding some enrichment and making sure Sheephony is kept in an area with low stress may help as well.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My 4-month-old bird is losing feathers. Is it molting or a health issue?

If he is not actively pulling out the feathers I would not be worried. It may just be a normal molt for his age. You could always get a feather supplement to help him along like this one from Nekton: https://www.amazon.com/Nekton-Bio-for-Bird-Feathering-150gm/dp/B0002DIM3C?th=1

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My canary is molting for months, losing weight, and not singing. Is he sick?

This definitely sounds like something other than molting, especially if he's very lethargic or showing other signs of illness. I would bring him into your vet for a complete exam and even possible bloodwork to rule out issues such as parasites, infections, illnesses or even nutritional deficiencies that may be causing it. Making sure to keep him warm with easy access to a balanced diet and water may help some until you can be seen by your vet.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My conure is losing underfeathers on its belly. Molting or sick?

It looks like he may be losing some downy feathers, which can happen during a molt or when adult feathers are coming in on younger birds. If it's a molt, you'll see new feathers growing in that look like little pins/needles poking out of the skin (hence the name pin feather) -- though these are usually better visible for large feathers such as tail/wing. If you're not seeing this, he seems to be picking at his belly a lot, or you see issues such as red skin, parasites on the skin, etc, a vet visit is a good idea to rule out any health issues.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my bird lethargic, not eating, and molting at 1 year old?

Molting and growing new feathers can take a lot of energy, however if Mike has been lethargic and not interested in normal activities, or isn't wanting to eat or drink, it would be best to seek veterinary care. It's possible there is an underlying issue such as illness or injury causing it, nutritional problems, parasites, or even some deficiency from his body using up nutrients to create new feathers. Having a thorough exam from a local vet can help rule out any issues, and treat any problems to help Mike feel better.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share