Why is my young cockatiel constantly shaking and scratching its head?

Thanks for reaching out about Tiekie. Feather picking behavior can be a physical ailment or psychological. Loss of phonation (voice) is concerning as a possible tracheal foreign body (infection, seed, etc). and should be investigated by a veterinarian. Check and correct any dietary deficiencies (birds need more than seed). Protein, vitamin A and calcium deficiencies can all lead to weak feather that break and fall out easier. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Tweety. Feather mites are a possibility, especially is you observe heavy scratching on the back of the neck. Mites are usually contagious, so either a new bird or a new bird added. If the feather loss or itching continues, a veterinarian visit should be scheduled. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Keke. Rough skin on the body can be due to poor grooming habits, dietary deficiencies, infections or just plain molting. Do you offer Keke an opportunity to bath (i.e. shower, mist, etc)? A seed diet is deficient in vitamin A which can lead to some dermal problems. Trim the nails as needed, but this is probably not the primary problem. If the problem persists, a veterinary visit might be needed. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Brooksie. Molting usually occurs in spring but abnormal molts due to stress, dietary deficiencies and metabolic disorders are possible. Birds tend to scratch and groom themselves a lot, but usually not to the loss of feathers. Mites are very small and difficult to see with the naked eye. Giardia is not common. There are some viral diseases that are possible that can manifest as feather weakness/loss. If continues a veterinary visit is recommended. A review of the diet can be helpful as parakeets need much more than just seed, including a wide variety of vegetables and a plant protein source. Good luck.

Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, toys and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Use ain paper on the cage bottom and change it daily or more frequently if needed. Bathe or mist Ashy in warm water to promote preening and healthy plumage. Without a firm diagnosis of the underlying cause, it is difficult to provide more specific advice. Potential causes include infection (bacterial, fungal, viral or parasites), boredom, stress/anxiety or even malnutrition.

This is usually due either to a skin infestation (very commonly mites are involved) or a skin allergy. A check up is required to confirm or rule out these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for reaching out about Sparky. Could he being going through his first molt and the white flecks are keratin from the new feathers? Continue to provide good nutrition as protein, vitamins and other nutrients are essential for health, growth and a good immune system. Seeds are not a complete diet and an avian pellet plus some table foods are recommended. A veterinary visit is recommended for an initial exam and consultation for diet/husbandry. Good luck.