Mites? Maybe?

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:45 am

I notice once in a while my female and male zeb will scratch themselves like a dog with their leg. Its not ALL the time, typically they are preening when they do this. Is scratching some feathers around the head/face or anywhere else typical preening or should I be concerned there is another root cause for this behavior like mites or something else?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:02 pm

I think that sounds like pretty normal scratching/preening. Maybe they are coming into their annual moult time soon?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:53 pm

Perfectly normal...only way a bird can reach those face feathers.

Weavers.com · Post by **Weavers.com** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 8:26 pm

mine do the exact same thing

fairestfinches · Post by **fairestfinches** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:08 pm

Ours do the same. Just a normal itch.

Sean

aero · Post by **aero** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:56 am

Hi,
It might be very normal to scratch. But I would be concerned

since i just lost a finch

. But unlike me, you may have medicines for mites around. I have watched my zebras before and they preen/scrach once in a while (say 20mnts). But now, they have been scratching like every 2 minutes, all over the body.

I am NO EXPERT. But my worry is, better confirm if there are mites by some way.

Is there a DEFINITE way to check for mites? Can I see them with maked eyes if I catch the bird in hand?

Hope Im not hopping in for my quesiton into another thread.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 6:30 am

To check for mites catch up bird,hold in hand and open up a wing ,look under it.if there are mites there you will see them.

the.puppeteer · Post by **the.puppeteer** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:49 am

We recently had a conure in at the shelter I work at and he had feather mites. Poor guy was scratching his head CONSTANTLY and on EVERYTHING he could find pointy enough to rub on.

He was adopted out quickly (hopefully after treatment lol).

You can try treating your finches if you are worried, it wont hurt them.

-Julie