My dove is losing many feathers, but seems healthy. Is it molting?

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.

This can be normal behavior, especially during a moult or season change. If he's kept indoors, adding in a UV lamp on or near his enclosure and having it set to an on/off day/night cycle may help him perk up a little and remain more active in the winter months. However, it is very normal for birds to be less active as daylight shortens. If he does develop any signs of illness, such as refusing to eat, watery stools, completely listless and fluffed all the time, etc, then going forward with additional vet care is always best.

If your bird is otherwise acting normally and healthy, it is possible it may be a molt, especially if you are seeing feathers coming back in already. Other possible causes to look for are plucking, as you suggested, as well as parasites such as mites/lice. Making sure your bird is in an area that is low stress (aka, he has a chance to relax quietly when he needs to) can help as well as looking for/treating any possible mites. If the bald patch increases, the feathers don't regrow, or you see other issues, then having a vet take a look is best.

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.

Regurgitating is normal in certain situations as is molting. Monitor for lethargy, decreased appetite, loose droppings, excessive scratching or feather plucking. See your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet for an exam if necessary.

If she is molting, this can be very stressful on the body which could show up as not feeling well or the diarrhea, however if the problem persists for more than a day or so, worsens, or she seems to be acting differently than her molt last year, a vet checkup is best to rule out any other issues such as parasites, infections, etc, that could be causing the change.

Thanks for reaching out about flint and including a photo. The picture of the feather appears normal. Heavy molts can be normal but also the caused by stress, poor nutrition, some viral diseases, external parasites (mites, lice), metabolic problems (liver, kidney) and others possibilities. A veterinary visit is recommended if concerned to help assess the problem and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.