My zebra finch is balding and always in her nest. Is she sick?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The signs you describe are consistent with over grooming, likely from the other bird. This may be due to boredom or overly dominant nature of the cage mate. You can try to provide additional toys and perches in the cage, keep the light cycle in the room stable, and provide a nesting box. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Thanks for reaching out about Princess. Rarely are parasites visible as a mass. Feather lice or mites can lead to over-grooming and feather loss. Separate from other birds to prevent cross-contamination. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Review husbandry and diet as nutritional deficiencies can slow feather re-growth. Good luck.

It could be a molt, stress, malnutrition or infection (bacterial, fungal or parasites). Without a physical exam, it is difficult to determine what the underlying cause may be. Ideally, she should be seen by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. In the meantime, clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, toys and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Feed a well balanced diet and provide fresh water at all times. A bath or misting with warm water may promote preening and healthy plumage. Provide a variety of toys, attention and playtime to keep her engaged and active.

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.

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.

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.

I would recomend a vet visit as it is not normal molting for feathers to fall out without new feathers coming in to replace them. This could be caused by viruses, nutrition deficit or metabolic disease. The vet may recomend some bloodwork after performing a full exam and history. Once the cause is determined the approriate treatment can be started. Good luck with Misty!