Aussie Finch Forum

I am wondering whether my Gouldian may be molting at this time of year in Australia? She has lost her feathers at the back of her head, and also is looking patchy/feathers are providing thin coverage. During July I saw her go through a major molt and this looks somewhat similar however am concerned because new feathers don’t appear to be visible and she is very dull at the moment. My bird has not bred, lives with one other finch being a Cordon Bleu, mainly only eats a seed diet, and is kept at a constant warm temperature. Any help would be greatly appreciated, she is also around aged around 1.

Mel wrote: ↑08 Mar 2020, 09:27 My bird has not bred, lives with one other finch being a Cordon Bleu, mainly only eats a seed diet

Mainly a seed diet is extremely bad for the bird. Seed should only be a part of a bird's nutrition, alongside fresh vegetables/greens, soft food/egg and biscuit, livefood if the species needs it (Gouldians don't), seeding grass or sprouted seed, baked egg shells, cuttlefish and/or charcoal and with other specialist foods according to the species kept. A balanced diet is mandatory for a bird's well being.

Thank you for the advice, I have attempted to introduce my finches to greens however they are very reluctant to eat anything new including small fruits chopped. Any tips that may help warm them to a new diet?

I do not find Gouldians very adventurous. But that may just be mine. So try growing a bit of your bird seed and feeding the green seed heads to your birds. This makes for a better diet and seems to be easier for them to accept. Are the birds indoors or out? It could be a vitamin d shortage if indoors as birds need natural sunlight. 30mins outdoors in a sunny but not roasting hot location when you can is good.
LML

Mel wrote: ↑09 Mar 2020, 08:57 Thank you for the advice, I have attempted to introduce my finches to greens however they are very reluctant to eat anything new including small fruits chopped. Any tips that may help warm them to a new diet?

Diced kale and lebanese cucumber. Also, try finding some 'weed grasses' growing near you, especially Green Panic Grass. Make sure it hasn't been sprayed by council, and feed it to the birds.They will love it.

Thank you to you both, I really appreciate it. Will try growing the seeds, kale, cucumber, and making sure they receive natural sunlight. They are indoors and sit in sunny position but this is still through glass. Thanks for the weed tip too!

indoors and sit in sunny position but this is still through glass.
That could be the problem then. But if they do not have grit, try and access clean beach sand for them, as that is good too.
LML

Sorry to ask another question, but is there any possibility she might be molting?

If she has already moulted, and she should have, then unlikely. Moulting is an annual event bought on by length of daylight and temperature change. Even indoors birds usually follow a normal moulting, but indoors can sometime muck them up. And if the other bird is not behaving the same then it is whatever is different between them. So more likely diet or light. But even the light is less likely as the birds are in the same environment (unless the gouldian has been there longer than the other bird) While they can choose to eat different amounts of different foods, just as 2 kids in the same family can.
LML

finchbreeder wrote: ↑12 Mar 2020, 10:19 If she has already moulted, and she should have, then unlikely. Moulting is an annual event bought on by length of daylight and temperature change. Even indoors birds usually follow a normal moulting, but indoors can sometime muck them up. And if the other bird is not behaving the same then it is whatever is different between them. So more likely diet or light. But even the light is less likely as the birds are in the same environment (unless the gouldian has been there longer than the other bird) While they can choose to eat different amounts of different foods, just as 2 kids in the same family can.
LML

Thanks for confirming, it was a long shot. I have started them on regular days outside in natural light where it is warm, the Gouldian seems much happier and my Cordon Blue is having the time of his life. Regarding greens, grass seems to be working and pea shoots, I am taking advice as well and trying to grow their seed.

The last thing I am trying to check off is whether my Gouldian may have scaly face mites. Given she has mainly lost her head feathers, looks ragged, toe nails have grown tremendously (I clipped them back this morning), and I don't know whether I am imaging it but possible little growths on her feet. I am buying Avimec to treat both of them just in case, hoping it cannot cause harm if it wasn't required. Fingers crossed