Does losing color mean starting to molt? (gouldian)

[tobyrosie]

If my gouldian bird is losing color does this mean he is starting to molt?

[lovezebs]

tobyrosie

Can you post a picture of your bird?

Not sure what you mean, when you say losing colour . When they go into molt, they get a sort of a fluffy look to them. It looks like their feathers are sort of loose and sticking out a little .

A picture would go a long way to show what the problem might be.

~Elana~

[tobyrosie]

Lovezebs I will get a picture tomorrow and try to upload. I haven't uploaded a photo yet.

[MiaCarter]

To add to what Elana mentioned....
When moulting, they get a scruffy look which can make them look more scraggly and the colors appear more dilute. This is because only the tips of certain feathers are colored. So when they fluff up and lose certain feathers, you see some of the white-ish portions at the base of the feathers, which generally aren't visible.

They do need lots of nutrition during moulting.
Deficiencies can result in weak coloration or even discoloration.

[tobyrosie]

Here is a recent photo:

[kristofer]

do you mean the sort of brown like patches?

[tobyrosie]

do you mean the sort of brown like patches?

Yes. But it's actually white not brown.

[MiaCarter]

It's difficult to say, as I'm not sure how this bird looked before.
His colors are moderate in terms of strength -- he's not as deep green as the other bird in the cage, but that lighter green may be his norm.

As for the white patches, what you're seeing is the base of the feathers in certain areas. As mentioned above, not every feather is pigmented evenly. Most feathers have a white or diluted coloration near the base, with more deeply pigmented colors near the tip.

The white/dilute base of the feathers may become more visible due to the thinning that you see while molting.

It could also arise if the bird was losing plumage due to malnutrition or another health issue.

It could also be that this individual has a poor feathering pattern (but this would have always been the case; this wouldn't change over time.)
The actual pattern of the follicles varies among individuals. Some individuals don't have great feathering patterns, resulting in thin spots like you're seeing here.

In all, I'd ensure he's receiving a healthy, balanced diet, with lots of protein (required to create the keratin that forms feathers). There are some lovely supplements, like Morningbird Feather Fast that helps supplement the most essential vitamins/minerals for strong feathers and good pigment.

[tobyrosie]

It's difficult to say, as I'm not sure how this bird looked before.
His colors are moderate in terms of strength -- he's not as deep green as the other bird in the cage, but that lighter green may be his norm.

As for the white patches, what you're seeing is the base of the feathers in certain areas. As mentioned above, not every feather is pigmented evenly. Most feathers have a white or diluted coloration near the base, with more deeply pigmented colors near the tip.

The white/dilute base of the feathers may become more visible due to the thinning that you see while molting.

It could also arise if the bird was losing plumage due to malnutrition or another health issue.

It could also be that this individual has a poor feathering pattern (but this would have always been the case; this wouldn't change over time.)
The actual pattern of the follicles varies among individuals. Some individuals don't have great feathering patterns, resulting in thin spots like you're seeing here.

In all, I'd ensure he's receiving a healthy, balanced diet, with lots of protein (required to create the keratin that forms feathers). There are some lovely supplements, like Morningbird Feather Fast that helps supplement the most essential vitamins/minerals for strong feathers and good pigment.

Thanks for the information. The bird was definitely all green before. A neighbor says hers are starting to molt so maybe my guy is too. My guys don't seem to like eggs. They eat a little bit of oyster shells and egg shells. I've only had them a few weeks so I'm learning about their likes and dislikes. They won't bathe either. They of course love spray millet. Tried apples today and they won't eat it. They have eaten a little bit of broccoli.

[lovezebs]

tobyrosie

Hi there.
Lets look at the diet.

-High quality Finch seed mix

-Vegetables:
Romain lettice
Cucumber
Baby Spring Greens
Broccoli
Beet Greens
Spinach
Red Swiss Chard
Parsley
Carrot Greens
Grated Carrots
Corn on the cob
Frozen corn (thawed out and rinsed under warm water)

-Fruits:
Bits of apple
Grapes
Banana
Half a mandarine orange
Bits of melon

-Eggs:
Hard boiled
- mashed
- put through a garlic press
- sliced
Scrambled and cooked in microwave

If they won't eat their eggs, crumble spray millet into the eggs and mix.

They might be slow to try new things, but don't give up. Keep trying small amounts, sprinkle with crumbled spray millet, or crushed freeze dried meal worms. Eventually they will try things out.

Multy vitamins in water can also be important (follow instructions carefully) and offer a container of clear water, just in case they refuse the vitamine water.

~Elana~

[lovezebs]

tobyrosie

Oh btw, I do think, your boy is starting to molt.

~Elana~

[Harley2013]

Agreed with Elana. I also think it's the beginning of a molt. When I bought my first two boys and was learning of gouldins, mine were actually " stuck in molt" and I didn't even know what that meant. I finally got them to molt out and color up. It took a long time, and at one point they looked absolutely terrible. Lol! They had the " ugly duckling syndrome".

[tobyrosie]

Thank you so much everyone for the great information. Great idea on adding spray millet to the eggs!
How many hours of light is good enough? Thanks.

[Harley2013]

I have my light on and most people have theirs on according to the daylight according to their location. My light comes on about 45 minutes after sunrise, and goes off about 45 minutes before sunset. That way they can have the sun rise and set naturally with no light on.

[MiaCarter]

tobyrosie

Oh btw, I do think, your boy is starting to molt.

~Elana~

Agreed!
I just realized I didn't say that outright and I should have.
I do think he's likely just starting to moult.

You'll know for sure if you're finding feathers in/around the cage. They can get quite plentiful during the height of moulting.