My bird keeps lowering his head into his chest or turn it over his sholder in order to "scratch" himself.

[BigLover43]

He looks like he's trying to pull his feathers out. He seems like he has fleas or ticks or whatever birds have. The female however isn't copying his behavior despite the fact that they're both in the same cage. Now I just had these canaries like a month ago and I know nothing about their hygiene! I have other pets at home (dog/cat) and I don't want to risk getting any ticks or flees on them. They are both totally taken by these birds and they hover around their cage area. Help!
If I need to use some kind of treatment, please give me specific brand names and tell me how often I need to use them. Also, right now the weather is fine but in a short time winter will hit and I don't leave the heater on during the day when I'm at work. Do birds get very cold or will they be fine?

[ceeze123]

This is completely normal behaviour for birds. They are adjusting their feathers and they usually sleep with one foot tucked into the chest and their head back to front tucked into their feathers. I wouldn't worry.

[bison223]

That sounds like normal preening behaviour to me, which is performed by normal, healthy birds.
It keeps their feathers in order and good condition.


If you think it might be something else though...
Look through their feathers, bird lice look similar to human lice and are easy enough to spot. Look out for any other parasites too.

As for mites, at nighttime, shine a torch onto the perches. If you see tiny red dots scatter away, those are mites.

For both of these, you can buy mite and lice spray from the pet shop and follow the instructions. With the mites, give the cage a good clean and replace the perches, because these are where they lay eggs and live.


If they are indoors, they should be fine during the cold weather. Birds can get sensitive to cold though, some more than others. If your house gets close to freezing or something, then they will certainly need heating.