Hello Doctor Rob! I am a birdkeeper living in Suffolk, England. I have two budgies, seven red factor canaries and two Gouldian Finches, all kept indoors in separate cages. We've had the Gouldians since last year and they are about three years old. I am becoming worried about them as the female has been losing feathers at the back of her head, along the edge of her mask (both birds are normal red headed Gouldians). I thought this is because the male has been trying to mate with her for the last few months and he pecks her head during his attempts. Now the male has lost a lot of red feathers around his face and around the edge of the mask- I can see his ears. Both birds even have small bald patches. Is this a normal moult for the UK? I have been giving all of the birds vitamins and exercise. I would appreciate any advice.
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Dr. Rob is a world renowned avian veterinarian in Sydney, Australia. He was the veterinary consultant for the Northern Territory Nature and Conservation Commission for a scientific study of the disease status in the wild population of the endangered Gouldian Finches as it related to a "Recovery Plan".
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