Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/20/2008

Question
Hi there, my budgie is around 6 months old and has recently been losing alot of feathers.  There is one feather however on his left wing that is sticking out and its like i could pull it out but obviously i wont.  It seems to be giving him bother, as he loses his balance while trying to land on his perch and he is not flying properly.  I have not let him out since and was wondering is this a process that budgies go through or should i take him to a vet?

Answer
Hi, Lesley,

Based on the information in your post, I'd say your budgie is going through its first molt.  Birds usually go through their first molt at about 6 months of age, again at 12 months of age, and then usually once per year thereafter.  However, some birds molt more often than this, depending on their environment.  

Molting is the process whereby a bird replaces every feather on its body over a 4-6 week period.  Molting is stressful on a bird, as it takes all the bird's energy to grow new feathers over its body.  Sometimes, large feathers, particularly flight feathers, will stick out like this.  You can let it fall out naturally (the new feather will push it out) or you can pull it out yourself.  If you pull it out yourself, you need to ensure you get the entire feather out.  Do this by holding the bird and use a pair of needle nose pliers or hemostats, grasp the feather as close to the body as you can, and pull it straight out.  

Chrys