Rough skin on my cockatiel's head: Is it her nails or something else?

Rough skin on the legs usually indicates dry skin or even possible issues such as mites (parasites) or vitamin deficiencies. Treating your bird for mites and making sure she's on a balanced diet should help. Nail length has no bearing on the condition of the legs, but if the nails are too long, trimming them can help with perching. Without seeing a photo of your bird, it would be hard to say if they are male or female. Birds do not change sex randomly, and it could be that your bird is now old enough to show mature colors, or has a mutation that may make it harder to sex.

The grey covering is a sheath that is on new or developing feathers. His skin looks irritated which may be due to parasites or infection. Ideally, he should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, perches and toys. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Transition him to s commercial pelleted diet such as Harrison's, Lafeber, Exxact or Pretty Bird. You can supplement with a small amount of a fortified seed mix as well as with fresh vegetables and fruits.

Thanks for reaching out about Keke and including a photo. Unfortunately the photo does not indicate an abnormality as is slightly out of focus and dark. Discolored beaks and dull plumage can be an indication of illness, whether an infection or due to sub-standard nutrition. If you haven't seen a veterinary after acquisition, that would be a good idea. Also discuss with the vet the proper nutrition for birds, as seed is not an all inclusive nutritional palette. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Pinky. Molting is an itchy period of time. Do you see any skin damage? Bleeding? Feather mites could also be a concern. If the problem persists or worsens, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

Thanks for your question about The Little, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful! The fraying at the edges of the feathers can be due to him overgrooming, but it may also be due to the feathers being on the body too long (basically a molting interval that is too long). When that happens, the feather can lose some of its strength and can be damaged more easily. These conditions are often a result of stress or nutrition. In budgies, the most common nutritional deficiency that results in this is a lack of vitamin A, which is typically found with seed diets. Ideally, budgies would eat a combination of at least 50% pellets, and the remaining 50% can be made of produce and a small amount of seeds. Vitamin A deficiency can also result in the skin being dry and flaky, and it can also look irritated or red. This may be contributing to the changes that you are seeing on the face and feet as well. Alternatively, there are some parasites that affect feathers and skin, however if this is the case you have caught it early. I would recommend considering a diet change if applicable, and a wellness evaluation for The Little with your veterinarian to get a thorough physical examination performed. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for reaching out about Keke and including a photo. No all birds nails need to be trimmed, depends on if they move around a lot to wear them down. By the pictures, the nails appear a little long. It the base of the toe is on a flat surface and the nail is long enough to raise the toe or rotate to the side, it should be trimmed. Good luck.

Turmeric and coconut oil may help a little with dry skin, but they won't treat any underlying conditions. If you notice something such as flecks of "stuff" on the feather base, that can indicate parasites such as mites which need to be treated with a mite spray. Visible wounds, redness, sores, etc, can indicate other problems such as fungal or bacterial infections that should be treated by a vet (and you should keep your bird from scratching at it with the use of an Elizabethan/cone e-collar). Making sure your bird is on a balanced diet for cockatiels can also help keep the skin and feathers healthy. You can add in some treats such as fresh fruits and veggies as well.