How do I tell and what do I do if Peach has mites? She is not exposed to other birds. Lately though, she acts like my other pets do when they have fleas. Lots of scratching. Like over preening and she squawks when she does.

Is she molting? That would cause similar behavior, and a daily mist bath will help make her more comfortable. Most likely she doesn't have mites, although you take her outside sometimes if I remember right so it's theoretically possible for her to pick up parasites left behind by wild birds.

Here's a link on the types of mites that pet birds might get: http://www.exoticpetvet.net/avian/mites.html

The kind you should look for are red mites, which are detected by covering the cage with a white sheet at night and then checking the sheet in the morning for the presence of mites - they get on the bird at night then get off the bird in the morning. Bird lice are also a possibility, but they will usually make their presence known by damaging the feathers.

DO NOT get one of those store-bought mite protectors or mite sprays. They're ineffective against mites and aren't good for the bird. If she really does have mites she needs to see a vet and get a vet-prescribed medication.

Yes, I think she has been molting. Lots of feathers around on the floor and in her cage. I have been misting her and she gets into the sink for a bath sometimes. I think your right. I don't really think it is mites either but it's good to have your opinion! She is due for her annual vet check next month.
Thanks for your support as always!

It's probably the pinfeathers that are bothering her, but the good news is that she'll be OK when she stops molting

Yes, I see her pulling the little feathers out. They must be the pin feathers. Under her wings.

She shouldn't be pulling out pinfeathers - that's plucking. But a molting bird has a lot of loose feathers and it's common for these to come out when the bird is preening, which is perfectly normal and is NOT plucking.

A fully formed fluffy feather is not a pinfeather. A pinfeather is a feather that's growing in, and looks sort of like a plastic pin. The fluffy part of the feather will be exposed when the keratin sheath falls off. Here's a dramatic example of pinfeathers - these babies don't have anything else!

Sorry to reboot this topic but I discovered Dermanyssus or the red mites in my chicken coop (about 20m away from my aviary)

I'm afraid the mites will (or are already) migrate(d) to my aviary!

I am going to order some predatory mites from a dutch website I found hoping they will kill off the red mites

If you want to check out the site here's the link: http://www.refona.nl/

If that doesn't work, 5% Sevin dust is supposed to be an effective way to get rid of red mites on birds. It's a pesticide but it's safe enough that you can actually dust the bird with it (but try to prevent them from inhaling it). It's even used in nestboxes, usually underneath the bedding to keep it away from the chicks.