James Harris, DVM
What's a normal molt?
 I have an elderly cockatiel who for the past several years has been losing feathers from the back of his head. We jokingly call it cockatiel pattern baldness, but I wonder if its anything to be concerned about, or if its just a normal sign of old age. Hell turn 22 next spring.
berknallie@aol.com
My 13-month-old Senegal lost all her tail feathers over the past week. In every other aspect she seems normal. She is still playful and eats well. Is this normal or is there something wrong?
--Vince Smith, vince.smith@btinternet.com
My male eclectus is six years old. He didn't molt for four years, or at least it wasn't obvious. He started to molt over a year ago and hasn't stopped since. We took him to the vet a little while back and things were fine but I'm starting to worry about his molting going on for so long. Should he be checked out by a vet more carefully this time or can this be normal?
--Mazi Mohammadi, mazi79@yahoo.com
 Molting occurs at intervals to replace worn feathers. The process varies from bird to bird and from season to season, influenced by nutrition, light cycles, temperature, and thyroid and hormone levels.
Twenty-two years is old for a cockatiel. He very well may have lower hormone levels than normal, which could account for his receding "feather line". If you want to explore this further, consult with your veterinarian about geriatric tests and supplements.
 | | Diminishing hormones can cause some older birds, such as this balding 22-year-old cockatiel, to lose feathers permanently. |
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Losing all the tail feathers at one time suggests trauma. Birds usually lose their tail feathers when someone has tried to catch them by grabbing the tail or when the bird has tried to free a caught tail.
The good news is that when a feather is pulled out or molts, the feather follicle is stimulated to form a new feather. Assuming one of these events has occurred, new feathers should appear within the next few months.
Normal new feathers, called pin or blood feathers, are covered by a protective sheath and the shaft is dark purple with blood. If normal feathers do not grow or if your bird seems to be picking its tail, make an appointment with your veterinary for an examination.
Any bird that molts continuously after losing no feathers for four years may have a medical problem and should see a vet. There are many possible reasons for this deviation, some serious.
James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.
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