I dont know whats happening to my parakeet

Question
Dear Dianna,
 A few days ago, I noticed that my maybe 3 year old parakeet is changing. Before he had a spotless yellow head and now it is filled with little black feathers. His feathers on his body don't look smooth anymore. He also gets scared easily know. I really don't know what's happening to him and hope there could be a solution to it.

Answer
Hello Sam and thank you for your question.

It sounds like your little friend is lacking some vitamins and may be getting sick.  The little black feathers on his head may be nothing more than 'blood feathers", so that part doesn't concern me as much, but when you say that the rest of his feathers "don't look smooth anymore" and is getting "scared easily now", that does concern me a bit.
What kind of diet is he on?  If it's an all seed diet, that is not a good thing.  Gradually change him to a pelletted diet.  Pellets are better for him.  Also, make sure to give him some fresh fruits and veggies, like dandelion greens, kale, most dark leafy green vegetables, and give him some fruits like some green seedless grapes, apple pieces, carrot shreds, and so on.  Also, make sure that your little friend gets some axtra Avian Vitamins.
You can get Avian Vitamins at your local pet shop, and they go into your bird's water.  Also, make sure that there is a calcium block in his cage.
Another thought is that your he may actuall be a she.  She may be getting ready to lay eggs, in which case, the advise above still applies.
If you do not notice a change in your bird within a week or so, then take him to an Avian Vet.  There might be something wrong with him that only an Avian Vet can find.

I hope this helps.  Please keep me informed on your little friend's progress.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna


--Follow up--

Sam,
I was just wondering how your little friend is doing. Are his feathers looking any better?  Please let me know.

Dianna