Whats wrong with my budgie?

Question

My old budgie George, who is nearly 20 years old has lost the feathers on the underside of his body, around his a**s, he is completely bald, although his other feathers are fine. I bought him a large water trough to play about in as he was constantly trying to get into his drinking water bowl, he doesnt seem in ill health, he is eating and drinking well, and seems well...does anyone know what is wrong, I cant get an appointment in the vets until next week...thanks

Answer 1

IT MIGHT BE THE AGE. OR IF U HAVE BEEN ON HOLIDAY RECENTLY OR OUT ALOT THEY GET LONLEY MY BIRD LOST HIS  FEATHERS DUE TO AGE.

Answer 2

i think he's biting his feathers and pulling them out. it's a bad habit that birds find hard to stop. the vet will help.

Answer 3

He sounds like he's depressed has he recently lost a friend or have you made changes he doesn't like perhaps..

Poor George hope he feels better soon...

Answer 4

budgies will pull out their own feathers if depressed but if it is only around the a**s then i doubt this is the case as they would pull the feathers out around the chest. He is old and Male's do not have any serious behaviour changes when getting ready to breed. It sound that this could merely be a sign of old age or poss mites. Your vet will be able to help.

Answer 5

he may be plucking them out especially if he has diarrhoea

Answer 6

it might be just his age

Answer 7

Well.....quite often birds will hide the fact they are ill out of instincts.....

So I am very pleased that you have an appointment. Just so you know most avian vets have something called emergency time slots, if the receptionist knows you may have a possible emergency you can get in a lot sooner. Just a helpful tip....

That is quite old for a keet! You have done a great job with him.

It could be a very bad moult......

Sometimes feather loss is a excellent sign of illness, mites, or lack of nutritional needs. Not saying you didn't care for him but he is older and may need to be on suppliments.

Well the avian vet will be able to iron all of this out so try not to worry until then.

GL

Answer 8

Your 'George' is showing signs of being ready to breed!

Answer 9

this is either due to a nervous reaction or a parasite. you can get a powder for it at the vets

also it could be just old age as he is an old fella x

my mums budgie suffered with it and it cleared up