moulting?

Question
Hi! I just got a baby parakeet, this summer, and about 2 weeks ago his black stripes turned white! I know this happens as they get older, but this was so quick! My co-worker said my keet is moulting. (He has 2 birds) I would like to know if I need to do anything special for him while he is doing this? (Does he need a warmer spot, or to be in his cage alone, vitamins, or anything at all?)
I got him a friend, a new parakeet, last Sunday. I think (stress think!) she is a female. Will this help or hinder him during moulting?
Thank you so much for letting me pester you!

Jean

Answer
Hi, Jean.  Thanks for posting!

This is molting season, so it's possible your keet is molting.  As long as your keet is on a healthy diet, you don't need to do anything, except be patient with s/he during this time.  Molting is very stressful on a bird because they have to use all their energy in order to replace every feather on their body.  This process happens gradually over about 4-6 weeks.  Don't cause your bird any unnecessary stress during this period.

I'm sure your other keet appreciates a friend of his own species, however, adding another bird may result in you not being able to handle either bird.  In other words, since birds prefer other birds to humans, these 2 birds will likely bond with each other and not pay much attention to you.  Depends on what you want from your pet birds.  I don't think this will hinder his molt at all.  

Male keets have blue ceres (the area above their beaks where their nostrils are located).  Females have beige/brown/tan/white.  However, their cere coloration may change until they've been through at least their first molt (at about 6 months of age); perhaps their second molt (at abouit 12 months of age).  The fact that the black stripes are now gone means your keet is about 3-4 months of age, maybe 5-6 since he's currently in a molt.  

Come back with any questions.

Chrys