FINCHforum

My male canary Walter just today has begun to act... funny.

This involves overall a rather lazy state - he doesn't want to fly much - and when he is at rest, an exceptionally low-slumped posture on the perch with his feathers puffed out. He's been antsy, continually preening and re-preening his wings. And his tail has begun bobbing constantly, all day long - though it stopped now that he is asleep. I caught him today to check him over and found a number of new pin feathers just poking out of his shoulders, so I believe he may be beginning the summer moult, and having never had a canary through its moult, I don't know what to expect or if Walter is acting normally or if he may be sick. I am particularly concerned he may be because I've lost three birds in as many days this week, all apparently due to unrelated issues and accident to each other, but of far too much coincidence for comfort to now have my beloved Wally act up all of a sudden.

Now, Walter's eyes are bright, his plumage still looks sleek, his voice, so far as chirps, is as strong as ever, though he's only sung a few song notes and no full tunes lately. When he puffs and sits he doesn't sleep, and he's aware and alert of things around him and ready to fly off if I try to grab him, as usual. His droppings are normal and healthy and he's got his usual ravenous appetite. I'm mostly concerned about the lethargic behavior and odd low posture and the constant tail-bobbing. He's never done this before. This evening, I noticed one of my hens, Kari, also beginning to exhibit the tail-bobbing. Kari also has pins coming in and seems to be entering moult as well. The other three younger canaries are not behaving in the same ways at all.

I don't want to alarm you but I would have some concerns. I think it's early summer over there and moulting doesn't normally start until mid summer after the day length starts to decrease (assuming you are providing or simulating natural lighting conditions). You will begin to notice lots of feathers on the cage floor when the moult is underway but for now he should still be singing reasonably strongly. They do get lethargic during the moult, but if that is not the cause I would be looking at other possibilities. Are there any noises during breathing? Is air sac mite a possibility?

How is Walter?

The behavior seems a bit dramatic for a moult; a bit more "off-ness' than I would expect.

It can be stressful, but it shouldn't be quite *that* stressful. But the pinfeathers could definitely account for him preening more, so I think that's explainable by a moult. But the tail bobbing and posture while resting seems a bit more stressed than I'd expect.

Has anyone been picking on him? That could account for the pinfeathers if someone plucked him and it could cause a fair bit of stress.

How's his poop? Might it be worthwhile to do a round of Ronex with the flock?

MiaCarter

The itchy twitchy bobby behaviors all stopped. He's moulting now, as is the other adult (female - Kari ), so even if it's a bit early it seems to be going properly. He seems back to normal beyond that.

Good news!

Sheather

Hi Dylan.

My Luciano, is starting his molting behaviour as well. A bit fluffed, not singing, not interested in the ladies, looking just a tad scruffy. Sofia and Siena, appear to be heading in that direction as well.

All the Canary kids, are molting into adult plumage at present, and boys are trying to sing a little.

The tail bobbing, I haven't seen in my crew. Could it be constipation?

I'd offer extra heat, warm baths, lot's of eggs and veggies.

It's going to take a while. I find that Canaries take longer to get through their molt than most other birds.

Elana