Feather Loss-Need Advice

[MaryEKohler]

I have two zebra finches, both female--the one (*see attached picture) has been looking scraggly and losing feathers. She is about 5 years old. I have witnessed the other bird attempting to be dominant on occasion...chasing her around and pulling out some feathers--but this does not happen all the the time. I don't know if the problem is mites, old age, or aggression from the other. Should I separate the birds to see if the feathers grow back--or will they be too lonely in isolated cages?

[L in Ontario]

Hmmm really hard to say - could be aggression or simply moulting. I guess if you put them in cages right beside each other - they shouldn't get lonely. Though it can take a while (up to six weeks IF they are moulting) for the feathers to grow back in.

[Sally]

Usually aggression shows up in plucked areas around the head and back of the neck first, so this could just be molting. Just keep an eye on them, so you can separate them if it gets worse.