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

This may be "normal" for Ringo. Molt times are only estimations based on 'most' birds. Stress, illness or diet can play large roles in molting. You can have him examined by your veterinarian to diagnose any illness or to confirm good health. Confirm proper environmental parameters and diet. There is no way of determining when he will begin singing again.

Molting can last 6-12 weeks. Some canaries will complete a molt outside this time frame though. Increase proteins and fats to aid feather regrowth. Flax, niger and hemp seeds can be offered. Protein can be in the form of scrambled eggs or small crickets and mealworms. Bathe or mist with warm water to promote preening and healthy plumage. Providing full spectrum lighting, avoiding stress, limiting daylight to 8-10 hours and keeping room temperature between 68 F and 70 F will aid in molting.

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.

How much a bird sings varies greatly on the individual bird so it would be impossible to tell you when he will sing again or not. Making sure he is on a balanced diet, and having your vet take a look to make sure there aren't any lasting health issues caused by the malnutrition earlier is best to make sure Ringo is still healthy and happy.

Hi there. Sorry that Sunny is having this issue. The normal annual molt occurs naturally during the last half of summer and continues into the fall. So, I would say this is the normal time of year to be molting. He may have pulled out a feather due to normal preening or it could be an injury. Can't really tell from the photo. I would not be worried unless you see any bald spots. Molting can be a taxing process. It is stressful for them so they do tend to stop signing and seem less active. That would be normal. To help ease the stress of molting I would recommend a vitamin supplement like this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Molting-Conditioning-Supplement-for-Cockatiels/dp/B0082D247E I hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to post again!

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.

Thanks for your question about Hazlet, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful. You are correct in that Hazlet is more fluffed than a normal canary should be. You are also correct that this can be a sign of illness (it is part of what we call the "sick bird posture" - this also includes sitting low on the perches or sitting on the ground, closing the eyes, tucking the head, faster breathing). It can also be a sign of stress, or being cold as well. I would recommend that you evaluate where the cage is located - is it near a window, near an outside wall, or near a door? Is the temperature in your house 70F or below - if so, I would recommend increasing the temperature. Now that it has been two days since you posted (I apologize for the delay, by the way), if this has continued and the temperatures and cage location are appropriate, it may be time for a veterinary visit. Often it can take a few days for a bird to get comfortable in their new environment, but if it is still going on now, I would recommend taking him in to see a veterinarian. They can perform a physical examination, and depending on the findings, may have treatment recommendations for you. They can also evaluate the husbandry/care/diet for Hazlet and may make recommendations that are tailored to you and to him. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.