Aussie Finch Forum

Is this a bird that is moulting, or one that is unwell???

I have never noticed my Stars moulting (well at least not heavily) although I do note that at different times of the year they look better than other times (especially the cock bird).

Often after a couple of nests my hen bird looks a little deshevled (like your hen) so if she has had a few clutches this may be the reason for why she looks like she does.

If she was sick, I think you'd know although perhaps set yourself up somewhere that you you can watch her without her knowing you are there....if the head is tucked under the wing, she is not as active as the other birds, sneezing or generally puffed up and looking miserable, do the standard heat/electrolyte/monitor...hope I am not telling you how to 'suck eggs'...

not sure about the star, but is that the pied OB next to it?

The stars have been building nests on and off for the last year, laid eggs 2-3 times but have never raised a clutch. So that would not be the reason for being worn out. She is not inactive. We have a bit of an overflow of birds at the moment, so it is possible she may be a little stressed from overcrowding. Her mate doesn't seem affected though and is in much better condition.
Jayburd, yes that is the surviving one of the "pied" clutch. She has just coloured up as you can see. She is one of the birds we are selling as the gouldians have done well this season and we want to keep them until they are fully coloured up, so sadly have to sell some of the birds to make room.