Question:
I have a 2-year-old male Eclectus parrot. He picks at his breast and behind his neck feathers. I've taken him to a bird vet on several occasions, had blood work done, and had his crop flushed. The tests were negative. The vet says it's his diet. She wants him on a pelletized diet, but he won't eat those dry pellets. He likes people food -- he eats what we eat and loves it.
I read that smoking around birds will irritate their skin and cause them to pick; but I haven't smoked in the house in three years, so that's not it. What do you suggest?
D.W.S., Chesapeake, Va Sep 27, 2009
Answer:
Many parrots suffer from obsessive feather picking, often to the point of severe self-mutilation. After feather mites have been checked for, diet is the next consideration. Check out quality parrot foods that are complete, balanced and organically certified. Your bird may benefit from having a full-spectrum light (such as Vita-Lite) close to his living quarters. Environmental and social factors also need to be considered. Is the bird exposed to a noisy household, lights and TV on late, which might throw off its sleep cycles? Covering his cage or moving it to a quiet room for the night may help.
Conversely, he may not be getting enough stimulation and is getting bored and frustrated. Lack of stimulation for these active and intelligent birds can lead to feather picking. Time out of his cage and off his perch, toys and safe objects to play with, and a pinch of valerian herb in his food or a drop of essential oil of valerian in his drinking water may be the answer.
Since parrots are highly social creatures, it is clearly inhumane to keep them socially isolated from their own kind for their entire lives. It may be too late, but you may want to try introducing another bird, keeping them in separate cages and perches initially. Don't buy the bird in a pet store, though; go online and you will find scores of parrots for adoption at parrot sanctuaries and rescue operations close to where you live.
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