Q: Do smaller birds, like budgies, also pluck their feathers when they are stressed out? What are the signs of a stressed-out budgie?
A: It is unusual for budgies to pluck their feathers from stress. Feather loss in a budgie is typically due to a physical problem, such as an infection or a parasite. Budgies tend to do better with a friend as they are gregarious by nature. A distressed budgie may flutter about the cage, call incessantly, pant, refuse to eat or just sit in a heap in one place without responding to stimulation.
Dr Dorianne Elliott, veterinarian
