Dealing with Parrot Feather Biting: Solutions & Tips

Understanding the Reasons Behind Parrots' FeatherFeeding Behavior

1. Boredom is often the most common reason why parrots resort to featherfeeding. Domesticated parrots, unlike their wild counterparts, do not need to be constantly vigilant or forage for food. This lack of activity can lead to boredom, especially when confined to a small cage. To alleviate this, parrots may start to chew on their feathers as a way to entertain themselves.

2. Just as humans might fidget with their fingers or hair when anxious, parrots may also exhibit featherfeeding behavior when they are emotionally stressed or tense.

3. Some parrots with more introverted personalities might become anxious and start featherfeeding when approached by strangers, as a response to their unease.

4. Parrots can develop a featherfeeding habit, often due to excessive dependence on their owners. If the owner is not around to interact with them, or if the parrot learns that featherfeeding draws attention, it may continue this behavior. It's crucial for owners to prevent this from becoming a habit.

5. Hormonal changes during the breeding season can also cause parrots to feel anxious, leading to featherfeeding. This behavior usually improves once the breeding season is over. Additionally, parrots may become anxious in new environments or when under stress, which can trigger featherfeeding as a form of selfharm.

6. Parrots infected with parasites may also exhibit featherfeeding behavior, as they attempt to remove the parasites by using their saliva. This is an instinctual behavior in birds.

These are some of the common reasons why parrots engage in featherfeeding. Owners should identify the specific cause for their parrot's behavior and implement targeted treatments.

Dr. Oxygen Pet Summary: Featherfeeding typically doesn't cause significant harm to parrots, usually only leading to disheveled feathers and, in severe cases, a fear of cold or inability to fly. While occasional featherfeeding is not a major concern, if it becomes frequent or if the skin is damaged, it's important to take it seriously.