We are baby sitting a pair of tiels (Jake and Pepper) for a friend for the summer. Lately we have been noticing an unusually high number of feathers (both the down and very large outside feathers) missing. When they lift their wings you can see bare skin. In general they look very motley. This morning we noticed blood in the cage.... thus a cause for concern. We do not have access to an avian vet. Any comments are welcome.

Thanks, Ken

Ken,

It sounds like the birds are going through a molt. When the birds were taken to your home, the change in light and temperature caused them to begin molting. It is nothing to be alarmed about.

Finding blood in the cage first thing in the morning would indicate that the birds thrashed during the night. Remove the toys before putting the birds to bed at night and leave a light on for them (a child's night light works very well). Sometimes birds will bump into their toys or hear a strange noise and it causes them to thrash wildly around in their cage which can break blood feathers. If this should happen again, use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding persists you should try to find a vet to see the birds