Is my Owl Finch molting? Picture:

[marymac]

He's scratching at his face and preening a lot. I've only noticed a few feathers on the bottom of the cage. But all 3 of my guys seem to be "itchy".

[Chrismurdoch3]

Its very hard to tell by your picture. I don't see any pinfeathers but that doesn't mean he isn't molting. Birds spend a lot of their days preening their feathers to help keep them in good condition. keep an eye on them but he looks good from the picture.

[Nicole R.]

Curious - was it the molt, or mites?

Nicole

[marymac]

Nicole R.
He was molting. Luckily it seems to have been pretty easy. He's doing great and looks good, so.....

[marymac]

Nicole R.
I see you have an all male mixed aviary. I do to! It's been going well. My only "bump in the road" was getting a breeding pair of owls. When the female died the boy was really a mess. I got a boy companion for him. He was excited when I introduced them. They were inseparable for 2 days. Then he tried to breed with the new one..... now they seem to argue and chase each other constantly

[Nicole R.]

marymac
The first four of my male birds (2 owls, 2 red billed firefinches) are coming next week. I paid for DNA testing for the owls and for the seagreen parrotfinches (coming later with the cordon bleus) to ensure we don't get any hens. I'm so glad to hear that you have all males, especially because from your image I see you have cordon bleus, too! I am worried the most about them fighting. It must have been confusing for your male owl to lose his mate, only to have her replaced by another male. Hopefully in time they will sort it out and stop bickering.

Nicole