Terrible molting issue

[jenjen]

Hello all. I have an amazing Starling friend named Xander. He will be 11 years old this April. Up until this time last year, he has had no problems with molting. However, since his other bird buddy died last year, he has not had a normal molt. His feathers are just hanging all ragged around his legs and it looks like his under feathers are kind of matted and oily. 

We also moved to a new house about 2 years ago, shortly before his other bird buddy died of old age.

His diet is great, he gets good sunlight (for an indoor starling), and he has free flight of the house. I don't know if its depression or what. He also hasn't gone through the 'spring fever' thing since she died. His scales are getting thick and he sleeps a lot more. His check up at the vet did not reveal any issues.

Like everyone here, I love him to death!! My eyes are tearing up as I write this. Am I missing something? Am I failing him somehow?? I want him to be with me for many more years, I don't want to lose him a second before I have to.  

Any help would be so appreciated.

[Jessy]

Hi, I'm sorry your starlings has all these problems. Do you know starlingtalk.com? They have a whole lot of info about starlings. The molting and scale problems might have something to do with his diet and/or his daylight hours and length of night sleep.
www.starlingtalk.com/diet.htm
You can also do a search on the site about "Hyperkeratosis" and more. Or, you may ask your questions there as well
Good Luck,
Jessy

[prb-3]

Hi Jessy,
I am sorry to hear that your Xander is having molting issues. My starling didn't molt for about 5 years. Her feathers were in an atrocious condition! Then she molted! and did so the following year. There were no changes in her diet, cage location, light etc. I know it is frustrating but if your vet didn't find anything it may just be a temporary thing. I hope it doesn't go as long as my bird's lack of molting!
PR-B