Bald Bird....!!

[Daisychain]

Was at the local park today and noticed a small finch like bird with no feathers on its head!! totally bald from the neck up, any idea what would cause this.....?

[ron1863]

My father used to breed Border Canaries and they occasionally suffered a similar condition caused by some sort of mite but I cannot remember it's name.

Birds also sometimes suffer attacks from other birds that pull their feathers out.

[Jason Green]

As said, sounds most like feather mite, poor thing

[natureguy]

I was thinking mites ron but I've never seen it in wild birds. always thought it was caused in an avairy/birdroom enviroment suppose it must be possible in the wild though.

[ron1863]

If I remember correctly it was treated with some sort of dusting powder and the cages had to be disinfected too.

[Daisychain]

It was really odd.... didn't show any sign of distress & didn't have any marks on its head, just bald. Poor thing.

[poohbear]

Originally Posted by natureguy

I was thinking mites ron but I've never seen it in wild birds. always thought it was caused in an avairy/birdroom enviroment suppose it must be possible in the wild though.

Wild birds are riddled with them...big pest if they get established in a birdroom.Red mite or feather mite can cause feather loss in birds as can dietary deficiency.Red mite don't live on the birds,but feed on their blood at night hiding in the nest material during the day.
Or indeed the birds mate might be doing it in the nest...more common in captive birds that have no opportunity to escape the attention though.