What is wrong in my pigeon's ears?

[biophiliac]

I had noted for some time that Doo's ears seemed more prominent than normal pigeons. No apparent problem tho. Then yesterday i saw some of the little 'feathers' in the middle of the ear sticking up in a strange way. A closer look revealed some very tiny dust-like particles which I was going to look at today with a magnifier. However first thing today I see a discoloration in that area over the center of the ear - possibly blood from scratching or some discharge from the ear. I have only seen him scratch his head a couple of times.

I will get a picture as soon as I can get a helper.

Any ideas about what is wrong and what to do are appreciated.

 

[sourland]

Any possibility or ear mites or a louse infestation. I have never experienced something like that in my birds. A picture may help.

 

[biophiliac]

Does this help?

 

[sourland]

Might that be pin/blood feathers replacing feathers that have been molted ? The 'dust' might be the sheathing that is coming off of them.

 

[biophiliac]

Might that be pin/blood feathers replacing feathers that have been molted ? The 'dust' might be the sheathing that is coming off of them.

That is kind of what it looks like. Those are just some real teeny tiny feathers ... ear coverts?...Yes ther is some moulting going on, makes sense those would be replaced too - I just never noticed it in the other birds ears. Then again Doo is my hand raised one so I get an extra close view. lol

I feared for LICE! How could that be if I have tried to keep things clean and offer Borax baths?

Time to get the magnifier out for a closer look. Thank you Sour!

 

[PigeonLady]

If you are worried about lice why not give him a couple of squirts under each wing with a poultry insecticide?

 

[Kiki]

Looks like new feathers/shafts to me. I think the new feathers bother and maybe itch them when coming in.

Is Doo really that green/blue color in real life?
It's a very pretty color!

 

[biophiliac]

If you are worried about lice why not give him a couple of squirts under each wing with a poultry insecticide?

Thank you! I believe my little flock is free of external parasites for now but I plan to order a permethrin spray to have on hand just in case.

 

[Kiki]

This one is premixed...no mixing involved.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

Martin's Horse & Stable Permethrin Spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• flies lice mites permethrin

Permethrin

 

[biophiliac]

Looks like new feathers/shafts to me. I think the new feathers bother and maybe itch them when coming in.

Is Doo really that green/blue color in real life?
It's a very pretty color!

The color is a bit off, he is what I would call a medium slate color.
In the pic he looks too blue. He will be showing some nice purple an green colors on his neck pretty soon - only in the sunlight tho.