Are the spiky things on my cockatiel's head normal during molting?

As long as none of the feathers are broken or bleeding it should be fine. Birds do molt and will lose old feathers and regrow them over time as long as they are provided with proper nutrition. If he's a young bird, he's likely still losing his baby feathers while newer adult feathers grow in in its place, and most cockatiels are not fully feathered until they are 6-8 months of age. If you notice any broken feathers, or active bleeding, then it is best to remove the broken feather and stop bleeding, or seek veterinary care to make sure there isn't any further injury to the feathers.

The "stems" you are seeing may actually be the pin feathers that are coming in as she loses her old feathers and the new ones come in. They are called pin feathers as they look like little pins sticking out of the skin. As the feather grows and erupts from the skin, it will turn into a full feather instead of just looking like a "stem". This is 100% normal and healthy! Molting can take several weeks to a month or two depending on the bird. Making sure Wiggy is on a balanced diet can help ensure her new feathers grow in healthy. As long as she is otherwise acting healthy and normal I wouldn't be worried. If you do see any signs of illness, the new feathers don't grow in properly, or she seems in distress, speaking with your vet is always best.

The pictures are really blurry so it's hard to see, but if you're seeing round cylinder-like feathers protruding from the skin that is likely a pin feather. This is a normal feather that is growing back in after the old one is lost. If your bird recently lost a lot of feathers and is now growing them back, they likely were molting, which is normal! This is just the normal replacement of old feathers with new ones. If Sheephony seems cold, moving them to a warmer location until their feathers have regrown can help.

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 Rio. It is normal for birds’ feathers to fall out at regular intervals. This process is referred to as molting. As feathers get older, they lose some of their function so they are replaced by new ones. In most species, this occurs one to two times per year. Where things become concerning is when a bird is losing their feathers between molting times. When this happens, it can be due to illness or to behavioral problems. I hope that helps to answer your question, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for adding in a photo! From the photo, it looks like Meenu might be molting! This is normal in all birds, and happens when they replace their old feathers with new ones. Baby birds will also have a molt as they reach adulthood, losing their soft downy feathers (the wispy ones in the picture) and replacing them with their adult feathers. It is very normal for colors to change somewhat during a molt as brighter colors come in, and the feathers may fade some with time as well. As long as Meenu is otherwise healthy and happy, it isn't anything to be worried about. To see if your bird is growing in new feathers you can look for pin feathers (small like needle-like things poking out of the skin). Making sure Meenu is on a healthy balanced diet can help make sure she has a good molt and grows in healthy new feathers.

Feather loss can be from any number of things, so finding the underlying cause is best. Molting is a normal loss of feathers that occurs 1-2 times a year and all the old feathers are replaced with new ones. You will see "pin" feathers appearing on the skin (look like needles or pins) to indicate this is a molt and new feathers are growing in. Making sure Mithu is on a balanced diet can help ensure he grows in new feathers. Skin issues such as parasites, infections, nutritional issues, etc can also cause feathers to fall out. Treating any visible wounds, making sure Mithu is on a balanced diet, and using a mite spray to treat any external parasites can help. Illness can sometimes cause feathers to fall out either due to a lack of nutrition or from the illness itself. If you can't find an immediate problem, having a vet examine Mithu is best to rule out any illness. Boredom and stress can also cause feather plucking, which may make it look like the feathers are falling out. Making sure your bird is kept in a quiet, stress-free area away from noisy pets and people, and providing lots of enrichment such as toys to play with and chew on, fun treats, and time spend together can help. In some cases, an Elizabethan (e-collar) may be needed to break the behavior if it has become a habit.