Keywords: bird plucking, feather plucking
Self-mutilation or feather plucking is one of the common reasons why most pet owners get frustrated and worried, making the bird’s feathers unattractive. This rapid, disturbing, and life-threatening behavior results in blood loss or death.
Stress is the direct cause of feather plucking. Sadly, there are some predominant causes why birds have this behavior, which are the following:
1. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) / Polyoma Virus (PVD)
This disease has high death rates in captivity and the wild, primarily targeting the immune system and eventually causing abnormalities of the bird’s feathers and beak. An accurate blood test can determine whether the bird is symptomatic or asymptomatic of the said disease. PVD is more widespread in adults and known to cause the loss of feathers. Usually, these diseases don’t push the bird to pluck its feathers.
2. Metabolic Causes
Metabolic causes are classified into two which affect the internal organ structure of your bird:
• Infectious Metabolic
Mainly, it damages the internal organs, resulting in stress, leading the bird to pluck its feathers, as shown by Macaws and African species.
• Non-infectious Metabolic
Some substances that harm our pet birds are found in the environment, including metal poisoning, nicotine poisoning from secondhand smoke, decreased blood flow, which causes heart disease, imbalanced nutrition, and dairy products.
3. Nutritional
Our pet birds need proper nutrition according to their species since they specifically have the right amount of diet per kind. All organs and the bird’s malady are interconnected to the appropriate food to keep our pet bird healthy. If there’s a lack of nutrient intake, the most affected part of the bird is its skin and feathers.
4. Hormonal
All birds can exhibit sexual frustration during breeding due to their high hormone levels, leading to subsequent signs of feather plucking. As of now, measuring the bird’s hormone level cannot be determined because there are no sufficient avian laboratories to perform it. But, there are available safe and effective treatments.
5. Psychological
Many pet owners are already in a situation where their birds keep plucking their feathers without knowing where it started. Avoid unanticipated changes in your routine; consistent absence in your home and unfamiliar actions can lead to unexpected violent reactions from your pet bird. Some owners opt to use tranquilizers and antidepressants for their birds, but these treatments are not responsive to all other birds.
You cannot immediately treat all the above-mentioned. However, proper evaluation and consultation from your veterinarian based on your bird’s history and physical examination can steadily narrow down the potential causes of your bird’s plucking.
Parrot plucking feathers
Feather plucking in birds is a concerning and potentially life-threatening behavior often rooted in stress. Various factors can trigger this behavior, including diseases like Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) and Polyoma Virus (PVD), which primarily affect the bird’s immune system, leading to feather and beak abnormalities. Environmental toxins, such as metal and nicotine poisoning, can also play a role. Nutritional imbalances, where birds don’t receive the species-specific diet they require, can impact their skin and feathers. Hormonal fluctuations during breeding seasons can lead to heightened hormone levels and subsequent feather plucking. Psychological factors, such as changes in routine or unfamiliar actions, can also induce this behavior. While some bird owners resort to tranquilizers and antidepressants, not all birds respond well to these treatments. It’s crucial to consult with a veterinarian to understand the underlying cause and provide appropriate care. Bird Sitting Toronto offers guidance and services to ensure birds receive the best care, especially when owners are away.
To learn more about how to take care of your bird, Bird Sitting Toronto can help you to treat your bird with utmost care. We will handle your bird and help them have fun while you’re on a business trip or vacation. You may visit our website at birdsittingtoronto.ca or call us at (647) 490-7156.
