Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/7/2008

Question
l have a three year old female budgie, she is very ornary, sometimes she is really good and other times she will sit on my shoulder without biting really hard, then other times she really bites hard. also she is really molting, l buy her molting food, but it seems she is molting every 3 or 4 months, and she really loses her feathers small feathers and big feathers, is there something wrong with her. thankyou

Answer
Hi, Elaine,

I found your question(s) in the question pool this morning.  Evidently, the person you sent your question(s) to originally could not answer for some reason.

Birds usually bite when they are trying to defend themselves and/or when they don't want to do what you want them to do.  

Birds normally molt once per year.  However, this depends on the environment they are in, the type of bird, health of the bird, etc.  I have some parrots who molt every couple of months, and I have some birds who only molt once per year.  Is your bird on a healthy, nutritious diet?  This can affect everything about your bird.  Visit my website for more information:  www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html.  www.birdchannel.com is also a good website.

I can't really say if something is wrong with your bird via this website based on the information you have provided.  If you think your bird may be ill, get her in to a certified avian vet for a checkup.  You know your bird better than anyone else and if you suspect something is wrong, don't hesitate getting her to the bird vet.  However, be sure you are feeding properly, the bird has sufficient humidity, baths reguarly, etc.

Chrys