It can be concerning when you notice your pet canary losing feathers. However, there are several common reasons why canaries lose feathers that are usually not cause for alarm.
Molting
Molting is a natural process where canaries periodically shed old feathers and grow new ones. This usually occurs 1-2 times per year. During molting seasons, it’s normal to see more feathers being lost. You may notice your canary losing small pin feathers, larger feathers, or downy fluff. The amount of feather loss depends on the individual bird. Some signs your canary is molting include:
- Increased feather shedding, especially on the head, chest, and wings
- Puffy or scruffy appearance as pin feathers grow in
- Excess flakey skin and dander
- Changes in singing and behavior
Molting lasts 4-12 weeks. Make sure to provide nutritious foods during this stressful period, like pellets high in protein and vegetables high in beta-carotene like carrots or sweet potato. You can also offer molting supplements. Increase bathing opportunities to help relieve itchy and irritated skin. Keep a close eye for over preening and damage to new pin feathers.
Stress
Stress can cause increased feather loss in canaries. Things that commonly stress canaries include:
- Sudden environment changes
- Introducing new birds
- Human interaction changes
- Loud noises
- Change in daily routines or diet
- Illness
- Predators
- Overcrowding
- Moving to a new home
Look for potential stress triggers if your canary is losing more feathers than usual. Try to minimize stress by keeping to a regular schedule, not making abrupt changes, and giving your bird ample quiet time. Using calming pheromone diffusers or playing soothing music may also help.
Barbering
Barbering is when a cage mate plucks, chews or over preens the feathers of another bird. This is common with canaries kept in pairs or groups. Signs of barbering include:
- Missing feathers on head, chest or back
- Damaged feather tips
- Bare patches of skin
- Observing another bird pulling out feathers
This behavior is thought to be related to dominance, territoriality, hormonal fluctuations, boredom, stress, overcrowding and incompatible birds. Removing the offending bird, rearrange cage set-up, provide more toys, monitor for bullying, and watching for signs of stress may help.
Parasites
External parasites like mites, lice and feather lice can cause extreme itching, skin irritation and feather loss in canaries. Signs include:
- Excessive damage to feathers
- Bare patches
- Red, flaky or scabbed skin
- Seeing parasites crawling on your bird or in the cage
- Increased scratching
Take your canary to an avian vet if you suspect parasites. They can prescribe an appropriate insecticide or medicated bath. Be sure to thoroughly disinfect the cage and any toys/perches as well.
Plucking
In severe cases of stress, canaries may self mutilate and pluck out their own feathers. This may start with plucking downy body feathers but can progress to pulling out entire feathers. Causes include:
- Loneliness from lack of social interaction
- Anxiety
- Poor diet
- Pain or illness
- Boredom and lack of stimulation
- Change in environment or daily routine
- Neurological issues
If you notice bald spots from your canary plucking their own feathers, identify and remove the source of stress if possible. Spend more supervised time interacting with your bird, enrich their cage with toys, make sure they get 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep in a quiet space, and talk to your avian vet. In severe cases, your bird may need anti-anxiety medication. Plucking can be difficult to treat once it starts, so address the underlying issue early on.
Disease or Illness
Serious health issues can also lead to increased feather loss in canaries. Some examples include:
- Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD): Viral disease causing symmetrical loss of feathers, especially around the head, neck and wings. May also see beak abnormalities.
- Inflammatory Skin Diseases: Bacterial or fungal skin infections can lead to feather loss around infected areas.
- Avian Malaria: Parasitic disease that causes anemia, poor condition, and feather abnormalities.
- Gastrointestinal Diseases: Liver or kidney disease, heavy metal poisoning, and other GI issues can cause poor nutrition absorption, itching and feather picking.
- Neoplasia: Feather loss can be seen with benign or cancerous tumors.
- Psittacosis: Bacterial respiratory infection that may cause lethargy, poor appetite, and abnormal feathers.
Schedule an appointment with your avian vet if your canary’s feather loss seems abnormal. Diagnostic testing can check for underlying illness. Any changes in appetite, activity, droppings, or breathing should also prompt a medical exam.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Canaries need a balanced diet with ample protein, vitamins and minerals for healthy feather growth and maintenance. Common nutritional causes of feather abnormalities include:
- Low Protein: Protein deficiency can cause weak, bent or broken feathers. Make sure quality seed mix or pellets make up 45-50% of diet.
- Vitamin A: Supports skin and feather health. Offer vegetables high in beta carotene like kale, carrots, sweet potatoes.
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant needed for feather growth and luster. Add nuts and seeds to provide vitamin E.
- Zinc: Helps with protein metabolism for feathers. Sources include nuts, lentils, peas.
- Amino Acids: Building blocks of keratin protein in feathers. Offer complete protein sources.
- Calcium-Phosphorus Imbalance: Can affect feather quality. Use balanced supplements.
Providing a varied diet with pellets, vegetables, sprouted seeds and healthy treats makes getting all essential nutrients easier. Choose an organic, cold-pressed seed mix without fillers or artificial additives. If your canary still shows poor feathering, ask your avian vet about supplements.
Age
Senior canaries may start to gradually lose feathers as they age. Their feathers may also become more easily disheveled and appear scruffy or uneven. Consider providing:
- A soft, easy to perch on surface as arthritic feet can cause balance issues.
- Low perches close to food and water sources.
- Warmer ambient temperatures.
- High calorie supplemental feeding as needed if weight loss occurs.
- Wellness exams every 6 months to monitor health.
While molting, stress, parasitism and other issues can cause increased feather loss in canaries, also consider age as a potential factor. Monitor your elderly bird closely and discuss any changes with your avian vet.
Injury
Injuries that damage the follicle or break a developing pin feather may lead to temporary or permanent feather loss in that area. Common injuries include:
- Broken blood feathers from crashing into objects.
- Feathers getting clipped or torn off by cage wires or toys.
- Damage to growing pins during rough play with other birds.
- Over zealous grooming or chewing of feathers by a cage mate.
- Burns from landing on hot objects like lamps or pans.
- Pests biting feather shafts.
Look for signs of trauma if you notice a bald patch or damaged feathers. Remove any potential hazards. Birds may pluck damaged feathers to prevent further injury. Pins can be taped to protect them as they grow out. Seek vet care for any wounds or bleeding.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Breeding hormones can cause some temporary feather changes in canaries as they enter breeding condition. You may see:
- Loss of head feathers and mask.
- Shedding of downy body feathers.
- Breakage and fraying of existing feathers from increased activity and singing.
- Disheveled appearance as time preening decreases.
This is normal seasonal variation. Ensure proper diet, rest and bathing access during the breeding period. Remove any nest boxes or egg laying areas if you do not intend to breed.
Mites
Mites are tiny arachnids that can infest the skin and feathers of canaries. Common species include:
Mite | Characteristics | Signs of Infestation |
---|---|---|
Northern Fowl Mite | Most common species. Up to 1/25 inch long. Found on body. | Feather damage around vent area initially. Then spreads to head, wings and thighs. |
Scaly Leg Mite | Burrow under leg scales. Cause crusty lesions. | Thick crusty covering on feet and legs. Loss of scales and toes. |
Air Sac Mite | Microscopic mites invade respiratory system. | Labored breathing, lethargy. Secondary infections common. |
Depluming Mite | Very small, found at base of feathers. | Extensive loss of downy body feathers. |
Face and Body Mite | Cause dermatitis of unfeathered areas. | Crusting & scaling on face, vent and feet. |
See an avian vet at the first sign of mites. Treatment involves thoroughly cleaning the cage, topical antiparasitic medication, and injectable or oral miticides depending on the type and severity of infestation.
Lice
Canaries can suffer parasitism by a few species of biting and chewing lice. These include:
Louse | Characteristics | Signs of Infestation |
---|---|---|
Body Louse | Most common louse. Moves on body. | Severe itching, feather damage and hair loss. |
Shaft Louse | Found on feather shafts. | Irritation. Broken feather shafts. |
Wing Louse | Damages wing and tail feathers. | Broken wing and tail feathers. |
Lice spread quickly between birds through contact. Symptoms include excessive preening, damaged feathers, bald spots, and dusty debris from lice. An avian vet can prescribe medicated shampoos or spot-ons to kill lice. Thoroughly clean the cage, toys and perches to remove eggs and larvae.
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)
PBFD is an infectious viral disease caused by a circovirus. While once thought to only affect parrots and parakeets, PBFD has now been found in canaries and other passerines. It causes immune suppression, chronic feather loss and beak deformities. Symptoms include:
- Sudden onset of ruffled, shaggy feathers
- Symmetrical loss of feathers starting on chest, head and wings
- Pin feathers that fail to develop properly
- Abnormal beak shape and texture
- Immune deficiency leading to secondary infections
- Loss of appetite, weight loss, lethargy
There is no cure for PBFD. Supportive care like hand-feeding, fluids, antibiotics for secondary issues and nutritional support may temporarily prolong life. But the disease is ultimately fatal once clinical signs appear. Isolate infected birds immediately to avoid viral spread to healthy canaries, and disinfect any shared surfaces.
French Moult
French moult is an historic term for a sudden, rapid moult in canaries leading to extreme feather loss. It occurs for indeterminate reasons, but may relate to:
- Viral infection
- Bacterial infection
- Parasitism
- Toxin exposure
- Kidney or liver disease
- Neoplasia
- Egg binding in females
- Metabolic disorder
Birds appeared to suddenly and simultaneously lose most of their feathers over a few days. Determine the underlying cause by taking your rapidly balding canary to an avian vet for diagnostics. Bloodwork, cultures, radiographs and other testing can uncover issues that need treatment.
Conclusion
While startling, minor feather loss in canaries is often due to natural causes like molting or stress and not a dire health issue. But excessive loss of feathers, bald spots, damaged feathers, or a puffed, scruffy appearance may signal an underlying medical problem requiring prompt veterinary care. Schedule an annual wellness visit to identify any parasites and discuss your canary’s diet and environment. This helps ensure a long, healthy and well-feathered life for your bird.