Female Plucking

[stew kazzoli]

Hello,

I am asking for help with two questions, please:

I have a DNA'd Female Lutino who, for some reason, consistently plucks the feathers on her back. She is paired up with a male and I thought at first it was him. But after keeping an eye on her for a while, I learned it was actually her.

Is there a reason she would do this?

Secondly, the same bird is showing very faint feathers around her head. Is she molting?

She is approximately 5 months old.

I have included two pictures of her.

http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/nn432/Fishhound_photos/FemaleLutino.jpg

http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/nn432/Fishhound_photos/FemaleLutino2.jpg

Thanks for your help.

S

[linda040899]

At age 5 months, yes, she's molting. That might be the reason for her plucking the feathers on her back, as well, but that's hard to say. You might want to let your avian vet take a look and perhaps do a skin culture. A skin infection can cause plucking.