Bird

When birds pick their own or their companion birds’ feathers, this can be extremely frustrating for bird owners. This is one of the most common disorders among birds and is one of the most difficult to diagnose as well as treat. This concern is most evident with caged birds.

Many bird owners keep birds as pets because of their colorful and attractive feathers, their abilities in singing or mimic sounds, and for companionship. Their appearance is to be admired and their plumage is a primary concern. When pet birds start to mutilate their own or each other’s feathers, this greatly affects their appearance and diminishes their appeal. Not only that, this behavior and the consequences will affect their wellbeing.

Owners would benefit from knowing why their pet birds behave in such a destructive manner, and what can be done to avoid this issue.

Functions of Feathers

Feathers help regulate body temperature, help birds fly, protect them from extreme environmental conditions, and aid in courtship rituals. If birds should lose their feathers, they would not be able to survive. It is important to the health of your pet bird to have healthy feathers.

Birds tend to groom themselves, and this is called “preening”. They use their beaks to condition their feathers. They remove sheaths so new feathers can grow. They also use their claws and feet to contour the feathers in the areas that can’t be reached by their beaks.

Why Do Birds Pick Their Feathers?

Birds that pick or pluck their feathers excessively have developed destructive patterns, where they damage their own or other birds’ feathers and sheaths, preventing the growth of new feathers. This should not be mistaken for molting, which is a different process and happens during climatic changes. You can diagnose feather picking when there is extreme removal of feathers and the skin is showing, and the feathers look mutilated. While the body might have bald patches, the feathers on their head may look untouched because they cannot reach this area.

Some of the major causes are hormonal changes, external parasites, malnourishment, bacterial or fungal infections on the skin, or sickness. The disorder can also be due to stress, boredom, and other psychological conditions. Some factors that cannot be fulfilled in captivity can add to the habit. This can include the absence of a mate, being confined, and not being able to court normally. Also, birds are creatures of habit and changes in their routine can cause stress. Stress manifests in birds in an obsessive behavior such as feather picking.

What to Do About Feather Picking

To stop or lessen the instances of feather picking, try to find out why the bird is doing it in the first place. If it is due to boredom, try giving it interactive bird toys and spend more quality time with it. Give it foods that take time to consume, such as non-shelled nuts.

You can also try moving the cage to a new location, allow your bird some privacy to rest by placing a towel over the cage at night, do not give it undue stress, and make sure it is not caused by a medical condition by having it checked by a vet.

Photo: http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab205/mmacc109/Florida/Bird3.jpg

To view this article in spanish, click here: http://www.petsintouch.com/pnnespanol/12724/%c2%bfpor-que-las-aves-picotean-sus-plumas