Cockatiel problem - why feathers missing around ear hole?

Question

I just noticed my 4 year old cockatiel seems to have feathers missing from around its left ear hole. The ear hole is prominent and not covered by feathers as usual. I haven't noticed it scratching it or my other cockatiel pecking it. Is this a symptom of some well known problem?

To elaborate.
There is no drainage, redness, or otherwise unusual appearance at the ear hole, just an absense of feathers over the ear hole and ~1/2 baldish spot completely around the one ear hole.
This pair of cockatiels Never preen each other.
It has been exceptionally dry and hot in California.

Answer 1

Two possible reasons:

1. Another bird is plucking them out
or
2. Ear infection or irritation and he's rubbing it to relieve the scratching/pain

Answer 2

More than likely it's a simple matter of moulting and until the feathers come in your guy's ear will look a bit bald. The other option is that the feathers were moved during normal playing and climbing. There is the option that the other cockatiel is plucking your bird while you're not looking, but that's not likely from the descriptions you've given.

I wouldn't worry. I've had this happen on a regular basis and the feathers always returned.

Answer 3

This could have to do with a skin or feather condition around that area. My question though is; does the other cockatiel pluck any of its own feathers?

When two birds are paired up and one either had or forms a feather plucking problem on themselves, they will usually do this on their partner as well. One bird will usually allow their partner to preen the feathers around their head since they can’t reach. When the partner has a habit of feather plucking though, basically it turns into over-preening.

I would make an appointment with a vet just to rule out any other possible problems though.

Answer 4

each and every a style of solutions is extremely risky. do no longer save on with any of that advice or you ought to finally end up with a ineffective poultry. it particularly is enormously no longer likely that he has any style of mite till he has been exterior and uncovered to surfaces the place wild birds have been. decrease than no situations, divulge him to any of that over the counter crap from a puppy save that asserts to be for mites and don't draw close a style of "mite protectors" on his cage. they are poisonous. The puppy shops do no longer care, they only prefer your money. I think of what you're seeing is completely a typical molting. The feathers close to their ears are fairly skinny besides. purely save an eye fixed on it, staying alert for any style of pink, annoyed or bleeding visual attraction. If that occurs, then you certainly ought to have uncovered him to something already it particularly is poisonous. some important different and young ones cleaners or many different issues that ought to in no way be used around a poultry. while uncertain, have him appeared at via a competent Avian vet.

Answer 5

I can't say for sure, but it could be a form of eczema. Your veternarian might want to prescribe a steroid cream for it.
Good luck!

Answer 6

he might have dry skin or allergy. try to mist with water [cool water] him early in the morning so he can dry out. there is spray you buy for skin irrations let me know how he is