FINCHforum

We started with 2 male finches and the breeder provided 2 females about a month later.

I noticed today that the two females and one male have the area around their ear holes exposed (the one male without ear hold damage happens to be the biggest one)...it looks like they have been pecked at around their ears.

My husband and I are worried it is something worse. The birds are acting completely normal otherwise...eating, chirping, drinking, cuddling together.

It looks terrible but because there are no other signs of distress I want to say they pecked at each other because of the new birds introduced. Thought I should turn to some knowledgeable folks to confirm.

PS: My name is Chelsea and I'm from Anchorage, Alaska.

PPS: Thanks for your time.

Chelsea welcome to the forum. I just got back from my avian vet and one thing they found on my finches I had not noticed was missing feathers around the eyes, ears and beak. Some had just one area. This is air sac mites and/or skin mites. They need to be treated ASAP or they will die. I've lost three finches already because I did not notice the loss of feathers or any other symptoms soon enough. Finches hide their illness and act normal until they are usually on the bottom of the cage. If you have an avian vet nearby, go there quick to get meds. Good Luck.

Chelsea, welcome to the forum! Have you talked to the breeder? He should know if any of his birds are showing any of the same symptoms. Sometimes when they molt it will look like feather loss but I'm no expert and it very could be mites like finchmix suggested. How old are they? Were they in quarantine before you put them together? Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi everyone...Thank you for your warm welcome and your advice.

I've put in a call to the breeder. The birds are all young (especially the new females) and they lived in a huge aviary before coming to my home.

I captured the female with the worse damage and took a picture of her. Upon further research and closer inspection...I agree, it is mites and I am planning on getting the treatment right away. I called the breeder to see if she had any suggestions on brands of treatment.

I have a second cage and I was wondering if I should quarantine the infected birds for a little while or just treat all four. I want to minimize the stress on these poor little birds.

Here is a picture of my poor little gal with her missing feathers. It looks so painful.