Feather loss and damage may be a sign of?

Feather loss and damage can indeed be indicative of the presence of external parasites, which commonly infest birds. External parasites, such as mites or lice, can cause significant irritation to the bird's skin, leading to excessive preening, feather picking, and ultimately feather loss or damage. The presence of these parasites typically results in visible signs such as small lesions or the parasites themselves on the plumage.

In contrast, while internal parasites can affect a bird's overall health and vitality, they often do not directly cause feather loss or damage. Conditions such as frounce, which is caused by a specific type of parasite (Trichomonas gallinae), typically present with different symptoms, such as lethargy or difficulties in feeding rather than direct feather issues. Therefore, recognizing the primary cause of feather loss as external parasites is crucial in understanding the signs of bird health problems.