My pigeon is losing feathers and looks thin. Is she sick or molting?

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.

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.

Baby birds can lose feathers in what looks like a molt as their adult feathers come in. If she is molting, you will see new feathers, called pin feathers, sticking out of the skin (they look like little needles). If she is otherwise healthy and active and on a balanced diet I wouldn't be too concerned, however you did mention she is a bit lethargic. If she is losing feathers and isn't growing in new ones, and remains lethargic or begins to decrease her eating/drinking habits, have changes in stool, etc, then seeking out an exam in person is best to rule out any issues such as parasites, illness, nutrient issues, etc that could be causing her symptoms. Keeping her eating and drinking, warm, and away from any other birds that may pick on her if she is ill can also help until you can get to a vet.

It is possible Penny is molting. This is normal and is the process of losing old feathers while new ones grow in. You may see pin feathers, or small feathers that look like little pins sticking out of the skin as they grow. It often looks like a mess because some birds tend to lose a lot of feathers all at once, while others have a slower, gradual molt. As long as she is otherwise healthy and active, making sure she is on a balanced diet to ensure good feather growth is best. If she seems ill or new feathers are not growing in, it could indicate she is ill, has some mites, or another skin condition which should be checked out by a vet.

If Bobo is otherwise happy and healthy, he could just be molting. This is a normal thing that happens when your bird sheds their old feathers and replaces them with new ones. You will likely see "pin" feathers, or feathers that look like little pins sticking out of the skin in the places where old feathers were lost if this is the case. If, however, Bobo is itching, there is redness, new feathers aren't growing in, or he seems ill or upset, it could indicate something else such as parasites, skin issues, etc, that should be checked out by a vet.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to something not ideal in her nutrition. This may also be due to her being sick as she is also very weak. This is something that can be due to a number of reasons but for sure warrants a veterinary evaluation for further assessment and treatment. I recommend you consider going to your veterinarian for further assessment. They may be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Best of luck!

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.