It doesnt look irritated. Im not sure Emily. Dont know that Id run to the vet with this unless he stops eating or poops weird. Maybe he scratched on a toy.

This site speaks to tiels and bald spots. Might be informational reading.


AMERICAN COCKATIEL SOCIETY GENETICS Q&A Article #3

i am just worried it's an early warning sign. i don't think he could scratch himself like that on any of toys...i just don't know

this article seems to be about different colored feathers rather than missing feathers. i will look around the rest of the site though, thank you.

I have never had a teil, but this article talks about a bald spot, maybe not helpful though.

When Lutinos first appeared bald spots used to be as large as a persons thumb, through selective breeding the size of this bald spot has been reduced. When Lutinos first appeared, as is today, it is desirable to obtain birds with no bald spot or the smallest spot available in an attempt to eliminate this genetic trait. When breeding Lutinos as in all other mutations, to enhance or eliminate a specific trait, all is dependent on the pairing of the genes in a particular mating. You will find a pair of Lutinos with no baldness can produce chicks that all have bald spots but when breed to a different mate, even one with a small (size of a fingernail) bald spot, can produce chicks with no baldness at all. There is no true method for elimination or enhancement of traits such as a bald spot, red eyes, size, length or coloring, it is accomplished through selective breeding.

Anytime I've seen a bird with missing feathers near the ear that does not have contact with an other bird and is PDFD neg. it is either the result of ruff play, in which case it should grow back very quickly, or if it gets larger it is typically an ear/ sinus infection/ fungal infection or tumor. Ear infections in birds is fairly rare but possible. I would say to wait a couple of day to see if it gets worse or better than make a decision from there.

Is it near his ear? Looks like it is to me. Ru (GW) started with that several years ago when we had the "allergy" feather picking episodes. He now loses the feathers around his ear from time to time. I think it is due to his dry itchy skin.
When I see this happening I usually just start giving him a few squirts of my buddy rinse mixture.

I think it is from his rubbing the side of his head either against toys or just from scratching. Ru's doesn't look irritated or red either.

I sense you're freaked out Emily. Try to calm down. The fids pick up on this. If he has an ear infection he will shake his head, Im sure of this. And he will scratch at it so you need to observe. Im thinking it might be hormonal in some way. I would keep a close eye on him and the patch for irritation. If it changes by Monday call the vet. I wish I could help you more, just please stay calm. Is he playing and eating ok? Is he doing his thing with the mirror and toy? Normal stuff?

JR - Not to disregard what you posted.. but what I've been reading on Lutinos and bald spots seem to all indicate the spot being at the back of the crest.

thank you kimba, that really helps a lot.