Feather Picking and Self-Mutilating Behaviors in in Psittacine Birds
Feather loss in psittacine birds is an extremely common and extremely frustrating clinical presentation. Causes include medical and non-medical causes of feather loss both with and without overt feather destructive behavior. Underlying causes are myriad and include inappropriate husbandry and housing; parasitic, viral and bacterial infections; metabolic and allergic diseases; and behavioral disorders. Prior to a diagnosis of a behavioral disorder, medical causes of feather loss must be excluded through a complete medical work-up including a comprehensive history, physical exam, and diagnostic testing as indicated by the history, signalment and clinical signs. There are many possible reasons for self-mutilation and it presents a complex and challenging problem for the owner and the veterinarian. There may be a physical reason such as infections involving the feather, or a psychological reason such as stress or boredom. The action often becomes a habit, which can be difficult to break even once the primary reason is removed. External or internal parasites, heavy metal poisoning (from chewing metal objects, ingesting fragments of poorly constructed cages or toys or lead-based paint), malnutrition, cancer and other internal diseases can all contribute to self-mutilation. Examination by an avian veterinarian of the feathers, faecal samples, blood tests, and X-rays may be required to diagnose the underlying problem.Allergies are increasingly being investigated as a cause of feather picking. Some birds may be allergic to certain seeds or to house dust mites.
One of the first things people notice about birds is their plumage or feathers. They are a source of beauty, often colorful and distinct, but they also serve important functions such as flight, balance, warmth, and protection. Additionally, they are an important indicator of a bird’s health status. Poor feather quality or fluffed feathers can be a sign of clinical illness, poor diet, or stress. When we see a bird plucking feathers out and self-mutilating, we are seeing two of the most frustrating conditions for an avian veterinarian, the owner and the birds themselves. The onset of feather plucking can be surprisingly rapid, and is one of the most disturbing and troubling problems bird owners can encounter. Your little friend may become un-feathered in a matter of one night!
Self-mutilation, as opposed to feather plucking, is a life-threatening disorder. It is most common among cockatoos and lovebirds, although the problem can affect members of other species as well. Self-mutilators will chew into their own flesh, typically causing the most severe damage to the pectoral (chest) muscle, but damage can occur anywhere on the body. While feather-picking diminishes aesthetics and causes anxiety for the bird owner, self-mutilation can result in massive blood loss and death.
The phrase “feather-plucking” ranges from over-preening and chewing to complete removal of all body feathers within reach. Feather plucking does not occur in the wild, where birds must spend time seeking food, avoiding predators, mating, and breeding and rearing their babies. In captivity, they do not have these survival tasks to keep them occupied and out of trouble. The most common species affected by feather plucking are the African grey, eclectus and lovebirds. The temperament of these birds, their bonding behaviors and anxiety levels all contribute to the problem.
Often this problem will go on for several months, or even several years when a bird is finally brought into the clinic. Owners frequently think that it may just be a “phase” that will hopefully resolve itself. Unfortunately, the longer the problem is allowed to go on, the more factors contribute to it and the more difficult, if not impossible, it is to resolve.
Feather plucking seldom has a single cause. It is important to realize that once a parrot has begun this activity, it may never be completely controlled.
Feather picking is not an uncommon problem in many parrot species. The causes are many and in most cases there is more than one problem contributing to the feather picking. The diagnosis can involve numerous tests and treatment trials to determine if there are concurrent disease, nutritional and /or behavioural problems. Nutritional and husbandry problems are generally involved in the majority of cases.
Infectious Diseases
- Viral Diseases
- Beak and Feather disease, Polyomavirus, Poxvirus
- Bacterial diseases of the skin (usually secondary infections)
- Including staphylococcus, Streptococcus, gram negative infections and Mycobacteria
- Chlamydia
- Fungal disease of the skin and feathers
- External parasites
- Mites and lice (an uncommon cause of feather picking and self-mutilation)
- Internal parasites
- Protozoa (giardia, hexamita, cochlosoma), worms and coccidia
Non-Infectious
- Nutritional deficiencies (commonly involved in most feather picking)
- Especially all seed diets are a problem
- Allergies to food, aerosol particles and in contact substances
- Poisons and toxins
- Heavy metal (lead, zinc and copper), nicotine and plant poisons
- Metabolic and organ Disease
- Especially liver, kidney and airsac problems
- Psittacine Pruritic Polyfolliculosis
- Skin growths and lumps
- Trauma, wing clipping, feather cysts, tumours, abscesses, adhesions and granulomas
- internal Tumours
Behavioural Problems
- Boredom. Lack of a mate or friend. Lack of visual, tactile and aural stimulation. Lack of regular flying time, sunlight and showers. Birds that are threatened or insecure.
- Hormonal, especially in breeding season
- Moulting
What is feather picking?
Feather picking, also called feather plucking or feather damaging behavior is a disorder commonly seen in birds that bite, chew out, or pull their own feathers with their beak resulting in damage to the feathers and quite frequently the skin. It is especially common in Psittacines (parrots, macaws, cockatoos, conures, and parakeets) and is being reported with more regularity in chickens. Feather picking itself is not an actual clinical disease process but rather a signal that something else is wrong with your bird.
What are the causes of feather picking?
Feather picking can be caused by medical, environmental, and psychological conditions.
Medical causes of feather picking include:
- Suboptimal diet leading to malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies
- Hormonal imbalances (i.e., hypothyroidism)
- Injuries or trauma
- Infectious organisms (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
Environmental causes of feather plucking can include:
- Skin parasites
- Exposure to toxins
- Allergies
- Suboptimal husbandry
Behavioral feather damage can result from:
- Stress from various sources including lack of stimuli (boredom, lack of toys, not enough foraging opportunities)
- Not enough interaction with other birds or people
- Lack of training
- Sexual frustration
What can be done to prevent this behavior?
Several things can be done to prevent this behavior. A healthy bird is less likely to feather pick, so if you see anything abnormal in your bird (decreased appetite, abnormal stool or urates, etc.) a trip to the vet is recommended.
Appropriate diet and husbandry can go a long way in preventing feather picking and self-mutilating behaviors. Psittacines on all or high seed diets are prone to several conditions that can lead to feather picking such as arteriosclerosis, poor feather quality, dry and cracked skin, and obesity.
Overcrowding can lead to stress, which will cause chickens to not only pluck their own feathers but the feathers of other birds in the flock. When a bird does not feel well or they are perpetually stressed, they can start to pluck their feathers.Any injuries or trauma can lead to overgrooming and subsequent feather destruction so they should be addressed as soon as possible.Enrichment can be a deterrent to boredom. Bored birds will feather pick simply because they have nothing else to do.
My bird is a feather picker – what are my options?
If your bird is picking its feathers, the first thing you should do is contact your vet. It’s important to rule out any underlying medical causes. Your vet can perform a physical exam and do diagnostic testing to eliminate some of the medical conditions previously mentioned.
Evaluate your bird’s diet and husbandry. Establish a routine with your bird or change up the one you already have. Provide enrichment and try to minimize stress. Birds can respond to positive changes and stop this behavior.
There are medications available to treat feather picking but they are not effective in every case. In some instances, the feathers will grow back but in many cases of chronic feather picking, damage to the underlying skin and surrounding structures is too severe.
Once a bird starts to feather pick it can become a life-long problem. Educating yourself on the proper diet, husbandry, and enrichment for your bird as well as monitoring for any health concerns will go a long way in preventing this abnormal behavior from ever happening.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
