Pet Parrots

What Causes a Parrot to Pluck it’s Plumage   by Josie Anderson

The word “parrot” covers about 350 different birds with some of the most impressive and colourful plumes imaginable. But what if your pet parrot starts plucking out their beautiful plumage? Feather plucking is more common than you might think and listed below are some of the most common causes of this worrying compulsion. If all else fails, your vet may advise you to seek specialist help and your pet health insurance may be able to cover the cost.

Boredom
Although a definitive cause cannot be found, boredom is often cited as the most common reason for feather plucking. As parrots are highly intelligent, they need to be in a stimulating environment.

Giving your parrot access to toys is one way to keep them occupied. There is an incredible range available, including simple hemp ropes, complex puzzles, swings and musical gizmos. If you have a variety of toys, do not keep them all in the cage at the same time. Instead change the toys so that your parrot has access to a different treat every few weeks. This will help the toys and games to stay fresh and stimulating enough to distract him or her from plucking feathers.

Loneliness
Parrots are also sociable animals that enjoy companionship. If your bird is left alone for extended periods, keeping a small radio on can help them to deal with the solitude and prevent self-destructive tendencies.

Exercise
Exercise, or rather a lack of it, can quickly lead to a parrot becoming frustrated. Make sure that your parrot’s cage is large enough for them to stretch and flap their wings. If at all possible, give your parrot an opportunity to fly as often as possible so they enjoy using their feathers rather than plucking them out.

Diet
It has been suggested that if a parrot’s diet is deficient in key nutrients they may start to pluck their feathers. Making sure that your parrot is eating a variety of healthy foods is a good place to start if they are experiencing plumage related problems.

Although feather plucking does not necessarily have an adverse effect on the health of your parrot, if the problem persists it is worth making a trip to the vet. They can then do a full physical examination and rule out any health problems that may be the underlying cause.

If nothing seems to help, your vet may be able to refer you to a specialist. Many reputable pet insurance policies will pay up to £250 per period of insurance towards the treatment of behavioural problems with a vet’s recommendation. Before long your parrot should be contentedly shaking their tail feathers around their cage once again.

About the Author

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