Hi I'm pretty new to this forum and I sure could use some advice on what is considered normal for a budgie to itch. Mine seems to scatch herself an awfull lot,she even bites or nips at herself, and does alot of foot action too. I can't see anything on her and I know they aren't those pesky red things.Is there a safe product I can spray or apply? Or should I take her to the Doc's. She had a check up about 2 months ago and was fine then. Please help us Malinda and Sqweakie

Budgies preen (clean themselves) quite a bit so it's possible that this is what you're seeing. When preening they will puff up, "nibble" at their chest feathers, run their beak along the wing feathers and often use their feet to scratch their heads. They have an oil gland on the rump (backside right above the tail) and you will see them rub their face/beak here and then distribute the oil (which you won't be able to see) throughout the rest of the feathers.

 

It's hard for me to say how often you should see this happening as they do preen a lot but it shouldn't be too excessive. And if you see your budgie doing mostly scratching and acting more itchy than anything else, it's a good idea to have it checked out by an avian vet.

 

Other than mites your budgie may be itchy from molting. Has your budgie been losing many feathers lately? During a molt you may also see pinfeathers on the head. These look white and spikey. They sometimes have a black tip.

 

Bathing your budgie is a good way to make her more comfortable during a molt and it's good to do on a regular basis anyway as it promotes preening and they often enjoy it.

 

To bathe your budgie, you can try a few different things depending on what she likes.

 

A shallow dish filled with less than inch of luke warm water will sometimes entice your budgie to jump in and bathe (mine love this).

 

You can also use wet lettuce (or kale) leaves. Some budgies like to rub against these to bathe.

 

You could also get a spray bottle and gently mist your budgie with warm water. Just make sure the bottle is cleaned thoroughly and has never ever been used to keep any sort of chemicals in. It's best to go and buy one especially for your budgie. Write your budgie's name or something similar on it to remind you and your family that it's only to be used for water and nothing else.

 

When in doubt, go ahead and have the budgie checked out by the vet. Never treat your budgie for mites (or anything else for that matter) with pet store products. Many of these are actually harmful for your budgie so only trust what your veterinarian gives you.

Excellent advice from Eterri. I find it's normal behaviour for a budgie.

 

Welcome to the forum sqweakie1

Budgies preen (clean themselves) quite a bit so it's possible that this is what you're seeing. When preening they will puff up, "nibble" at their chest feathers, run their beak along the wing feathers and often use their feet to scratch their heads. They have an oil gland on the rump (backside right above the tail) and you will see them rub their face/beak here and then distribute the oil (which you won't be able to see) throughout the rest of the feathers.

 

It's hard for me to say how often you should see this happening as they do preen a lot but it shouldn't be too excessive. And if you see your budgie doing mostly scratching and acting more itchy than anything else, it's a good idea to have it checked out by an avian vet.

 

Other than mites your budgie may be itchy from molting. Has your budgie been losing many feathers lately? During a molt you may also see pinfeathers on the head. These look white and spikey. They sometimes have a black tip.

 

Bathing your budgie is a good way to make her more comfortable during a molt and it's good to do on a regular basis anyway as it promotes preening and they often enjoy it.

 

To bathe your budgie, you can try a few different things depending on what she likes.

 

A shallow dish filled with less than inch of luke warm water will sometimes entice your budgie to jump in and bathe (mine love this).

 

You can also use wet lettuce (or kale) leaves. Some budgies like to rub against these to bathe.

 

You could also get a spray bottle and gently mist your budgie with warm water. Just make sure the bottle is cleaned thoroughly and has never ever been used to keep any sort of chemicals in. It's best to go and buy one especially for your budgie. Write your budgie's name or something similar on it to remind you and your family that it's only to be used for water and nothing else. :rip:

 

When in doubt, go ahead and have the budgie checked out by the vet. Never treat your budgie for mites (or anything else for that matter) with pet store products. Many of these are actually harmful for your budgie so only trust what your veterinarian gives you.

Thank you for the valuable information.