Molting or plucking? Help

Hey guys! Today I’ve adopted an Albino Cockatiel, I was told he is around 7 months

He looked fine and it appeared as if he only had a little bald spot on his head but after I bathed him it was obvious he missed a lot of feathers

He seems very calm otherwise, he was dirty though!! full of dust poor thing. he doesnt like the bath so should i try a spray bottle instead? and any tips on how to take care of his feathers? i want to make sure he is fully healthy

His wings are clipped as well. I am against wing clipping though

Unfortunately I can’t take him for a Vet check up rn as they’re all closed because of quarantine

That can't be plucking, because he wouldn't be able to reach that back of his head like that. Things always look more extreme when wet, but I would agree that that doesn't look right. Is doesn't look like a moult either. Please tell me you're quarantining him away from your other birds until you've had him checked by a vet!?

He could have been being picked on by other birds he was with before you had him, in which case it won't get worse and should get better with time. I would keep him away from the rest of your flock and get him to a vet as soon as you can.

Jottlebot said:

That can't be plucking, because he wouldn't be able to reach that back of his head like that. Things always look more extreme when wet, but I would agree that that doesn't look right. Is doesn't look like a moult either. Please tell me you're quarantining him away from your other birds until you've had him checked by a vet!?

He could have been being picked on by other birds he was with before you had him, in which case it won't get worse and should get better with time. I would keep him away from the rest of your flock and get him to a vet as soon as you can.

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Yes I’m definitely isolating him for now! I can’t see a professional since they’re all closed down right now but he was really dirty, he had dried brown stuff all over him

I gave him a bath and he’s preeing himself well so that’s a good sign

From what I remember about cockatiels, they’re real good at balding themselves...not a good thing. Excessive scratching and such. My friend had one like this in the 70s.

Do a Google search for “bald cockatiels” and see what you find.

they can tear out their feathers with their hands, but it is less common. They are also prone to very contagious viral illnesses that can cause feather loss, so certainly keep him away from all other birds and practice IMPECCABLE hygiene when moving between rooms (including changing shirts).

How is his poop looking?

How is his beak? Does it over-grow or look too long/mal-formed?

noodles123 said:

they can tear out their feathers with their hands, but it is less common. They are also prone to very contagious viral illnesses that can cause feather loss, so certainly keep him away from all other birds and practice IMPECCABLE hygiene when moving between rooms (including changing shirts).

How is his poop looking?

How is his beak? Does it over-grow or look too long/mal-formed?

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Aren’t they part of the cockatoo family, where it’s very common that they both pluck and bald themselves with no disease present at all?

In that photo, his beak looks perfect.

Yes- they are members of the cockatoo family-- it's just not THAT common for cockatoos or tiels to pluck their heads (although it does happen --rarely)--it's normally chests and under wings or along the back...Cockatiels and Cockatoos are also extremely vulnerable to viral diseases that cause feather loss. Many internet sites interpret disease as "plucking" in cockatoos, when really, it is due to PBFD. I am not saying that they never pluck their heads, but it is generally not something that happens all that often...and cockatiels aren't nearly as prone to feather destruction...

Cockatoos are often asymptomatic carriers of PBFD--sometimes for an entire lifetime....It is very important to have specific serum testing conducted in order to determine your bird's status.

furthermore, cockatiels are MUCH less likely less prone to plucking...compared to larger Toos...not saying they don't do it, but statistically, it doesn't happen as much. Don't assume your bird definitely has PBFD, but don't assume he does NOT....This means religious quarantine and separate air-space.


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMoLh3laBes"]Cockatiel Care Cockatiel Psittacine Beak Feather Disease PBFD 080710 - YouTube[/ame]
BIRDS CAN SPREAD AND GET PBFD WITH NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL-- EVER---SOMETIMES IT TAKES 2 WEEKS, SOMETIMES, 10 MONTHS, OTHERS 10 YEARS, AND SOME, NEVER AT ALL. They are contagious the whole time!!!