Canary balding up back of head - arayabd

[Sparkles99]

@arayabd

While researching something totally different, I found what may be part/ all of what's up with your bird. I can't post on your thread as it's in the urgent section & I don't even have birds yet.

Sounds like your little canary may need a better diet. Maybe @finchly or @Ali has some ideas about diet. Both have canaries &/ or finches. I think @Destiny might too.

Please read this on page 626 or just search the document for canary - it's entry #2.

http://avianmedicine.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/24.pdf

 

[Destiny]

I do not have canaries, but I do keep finches.

Balding can happen in Gouldian finches too. It presents as pronounced feather loss on the head and neck. The three main causes of balding in Lady Gouldian finches are poor diet, iodine deficiency, and a protozoal disease called canker that impairs intestinal absorption, leading to nutritional deficiency. So it all leads back to vital nutrition.

From what I have read, hardier birds like canaries are less prone to developing canker, so I would definitely check that the diet is appropriate and well-balanced before trying anything else. An all seed diet can create all sorts of trouble. Assuming the diet is good, I would look for an iodine supplement or try offering iodine rich foods to help correct any deficits that might be present. Kelp is rich in iodine. You can buy powdered or pelleted forms of kelp that can be added to food or offered free-choice. Some grocery stores also sell edible dried kelp. Just be careful to not give too much. Not only can you over-dose the iodine, but kelp is high in salt which is not good in excess. Liquid iodine supplements is also available, which can be added to soft food or water.

If iodine supplementation does not seem to help, I would recommend a vet visit for the balding bird. Treating canker requires medicine and the vet would be able to confirm if that is the problem by testing for the organism.

Here is an article that talks about balding in finches:

Feather Loss, Balding in Gouldian Finches | Complete Details

Canker in Gouldian Finch causes feather loss and hair removal. Treatment to concerned problem is Ronivet for 14 day. Get complete details from the page link.

www.friskyfinches.com

 

[finchly]

I can’t find the thread. But canaries normally do not bald like finches. If it is missing feathers , I would first think somebody is plucking it. Secondly would be the diet.

 

[Destiny]

It might be this thread:

Urgent - Canary Bird Balding - What is going on?

Hi all, My 4 year old Canary has started to lose a significant amount of feathers near her neck and head, especially creeping up the back of her head. She still seems active, and is eating/drinking well. I've checked for mites but haven't seen any, and I try to keep her daylight hours in sync...

forums.avianavenue.com

 

[finchly]

Thank you for that, Destiny.

I apparently don’t have permission to go there. Even though I write books about bird health.