Feather loss in male birds

[Roger B.]

Originally Posted by RKB

There's no disease that makes birds go bald just on the head.

What about infestations of mites and lice? Presumably it is more difficult for birds to remove parasites from their heads than other parts of the body.

[suelil]

We have a male blackbird in our garden who has been 'fluffy' (losing feathers all over) for about two months. However now his chest is totally bald and no feathers appear to be growing back in. Could this be due to mites. He appears otherwise healthy , feeds well with the other birds and I think possibly has young.