Why is my parrot shedding white powder? Is it a skin issue or normal?

Since you asked this question twice, I am reposting my answer here to make sure it gets to you! Yes, this is very normal as long as Sonu is otherwise healthy and active. Loss of down feathers is normal throughout the year, and you may see an increase if your bird is molting or getting his adult feathers in. (This typically happens 1-2 times a year). Some white stuff on them can just be normal dander that is present with feathers. However if Sonu seems very itchy, irritated, new feathers aren't growing in, or you see wounds or redness on the skin, it could indicate other issues such as parasites or infection that should be treated. A mite spray from your local pet store can help treat any external parasites, while a visit to your vet is best if you notice any redness or visible injury. Making sure Sonu is on a balanced diet can also help ensure new feathers grow in and he stays healthy.

Dust or flecks could indicate something such as excess dander from dry skin (all birds have some dander), or even the presence of mites or other external parasites. Letting Mithu take a bath or misting him with water to encourage preening, and using a mite spray may help to resolve this issue, as well as ensuring he's on a balanced diet to keep his skin and feathers healthy. If the flecks remain even after home care, or you notice any other issues in addition, having a vet take a look in person is always best.

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.

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.

Monitor him for excessive preening or feather picking. If you see either. Have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian to diagnose the underlying cause. In the meantime, clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, toys and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Bathe or mist him with warm water to promote preening and healthy plumage. Feed a balanced diet including a commercial pelleted diet, fortified seed mix and fresh fruits, greens and vegetables. You can also feed cooked rice, beans and plain pastas in small amounts.

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.

Hello! There are several issues that might be going on with your bird. Mites are a common cause of feather loss on the face. There are certain bacterial and fungal infections that can cause this as well. I noticed that your parakeet also has a cagemate - is it possible that the other bird is over-preening this bird? The only way to determine the cause of the issue is to visit your veterinarian - preferably, a vet that is comfortable treating birds, or a bird-specific vet. The vet will likely take feather and skin samples from your bird and look at them under the microscope to try to determine the cause. There isn't much that you can safely do at home to treat mites, bacteria, or fungi, so visiting your vet is the best way to get your bird the treatment he needs. Best of luck!