FINCHforum

Hi All,

My Zebra Finch (FEMALE) appears sick. She looks like she is being plucked by other Zebras. I believe she is the one without a mate. She is flying around but it making weird sounds.

ANY IDEAS?

Also, she is completely bald on top of her head and at the top of her back as well as the front of her chest.

it sounds like she is being bullied!

Can you take her out and put her in another cage?

RockinCanary
I agree...remove her so she can get some rest. Poor little girl

Ok, I have removed her and placed her with my passive and friendly canary. Previously she was in a a double flight cage. Now since placing her with the canary she is making very quick repeated beep sounds continuously. She is very bald!!! It is quite appalling. Any more ideas?

Also, I do not want my Canary to get sick in the event she does have something!

Here is what she looks like. She has stopped making the beep noise.

Anyone?

RockinCanary This must have been going on for a while. It broke my heart. How long have you had her? When did you first notice the plucking??

I hope she can recover.

She does look very plucked in the photo. I'm sure having her away from the one plucking her and being fed hard boiled eggs and fresh seed, in time she will grow all her feathers back. If she seems chilled, a little extra heat would be nice.
good luck

RockinCanary
Poor baby ...Zebras can be awful. Thank God she is out of there!!! Debbie said it all...egg food, heat and lots of peace will heal her in time. Just keep an eye on the canary. Even though it is a sweet canary, birds can sense a weak/sick cage mate...Good luck!

Hi,

Thank you for all your help. I was doing some reading into this and am thinking perhaps it is bird mites? Any thoughts?

I read today that if mites or lice cause significant feather loss its an infestation. Looks to me like she was plucked, but that is my humble opinion

From what I read, if its lice, she wouldn't be the only one affected on this level, and there would be a lot of scratching and stress signs.

Keep ups posted. Best wishes

Ok, so I have seen no signs of improvement. The canary and the finch get along just fine. The plucking looks like it was done on the back, chest and under the wing and it looks awful. I am surprised that this bird is still alive. How long does this take to get better if it is indeed plucking and not something else?

It takes time, protein and lot of energy to grow feathers. It will happen...if your concerned about mites/lice, you can purchase a spray at the pet store. Stay away from birds discs that hang on cages...they do more harm than good.