Any Bird Experts?

[Fearless]

So I just took in a cockatiel today. The back/top of his head is completely bald. His feathers that stick up on his head and his entire body look very healthy. If anyone can give me insite to what may have caused this or how to make them grow back of if they ever will? Just to many questions to short of time i guess. If anyone has any input what so ever, I would greatly appreciate it.

[SatanicIntention]

Harrison's High Potency diet! Works wonders and just makes them glow. A friend of mine has cockatiels and a house sparrow(rescue) and they all eat it. Harrison's also sells some conditioner feeds that may help the feather issue too. Does the bird have mites or anything?

[Rapture]

I would *guess* that the bald spot was from the cockatiel's mate. Possibly an overgrooming issue. I would personally feed it a good conditioning diet, and mist it often, and also give it a large shallow bowl of clean water to bathe in whenever it pleases.

[Fearless]

Thanks guys, I will try to get some high quality food real soon. And give it the water to bath in too. And i cant see any mites but truly not sure what i would be looking for either. Thanks for the help.

[Evan Jamison]

Feather mites are tiny, and you will not see them with the naked eye. Look for "holes" in feathers by holding it up to a light. If the baldness is only on the back of the head, I would suspect an overzealous cage mate rather than mites, but it doesn't hurt to check.

-Evan

[Mindibun]

If it's a lutino the bald spot is genetic and perfectly normal. I have a feeling, since you said that the other feathers are healthy, that your bird is lutino. Also, most Cockatiels won't eat Harrisons. Good luck... I tried to get mine to do it for ages and eventually gave up when all my other birds started eating it. Cockatiels are seed birds. It's a fact of life. (Ask just about anyone) The best you can do is get them a healthy mix of seeds and pray to the gods that you'll stumble upon a pellet that they like. Mine actually started eating the Zupreem natural and Zupreem garden veggie blend. Give those a shot.

I've had LOADS of experience with birds. It's my job AND my hobby, so any other questions I can help with too.

Haylee ^_^

[Rapture]

I've had luck with Roudybush pellets for all birds.