Preening and feather picking can look very similar to the untrained eye, but they are actually very different behaviors in parrots. Preening is a natural maintenance behavior that all parrots engage in to care for their feathers. Feather picking, on the other hand, is an abnormal behavior that indicates underlying welfare issues. Being able to tell the difference between normal preening and problematic feather picking is an important skill for parrot owners and caretakers. This article will examine the differences between preening and feather picking in depth, looking at the appearance, causes, and implications of each. Read on to learn how to discern these two behaviors, and what steps to take if your parrot is feather picking.
What is Preening?
Preening is a normal, healthy maintenance behavior exhibited by all parrots. It consists of using the beak to tidy, clean, and care for the feathers. Here are some key facts about preening:
– Appearance – When preening, a parrot will systematically go through its plumage, spreading out individual feathers and running them through its beak. The motion is gentle and methodical. Most of the time, light preening does not result in any feathers being removed. During heavy molting periods, a molted feather may be removed.
– Purpose – Preening has several functions. It helps align feather barbules to maintain the structured shape of the feathers. It distributes beneficial oils from the uropygial gland across the plumage to condition and waterproof the feathers. It removes dirt, dust, and parasites. Overall, preening keeps the plumage in good condition.
– Frequency – Most parrots engage in preening multiple times a day for maintenance. The amount of time spent preening varies by individual. Sessions usually last from a few minutes up to around 20 minutes or more.
– Appearance of plumage – The feathers usually appear smooth, sleek, and orderly after preening. The barbs and barbules lay neatly aligned.
– Location – Parrots can reach most of their plumage with their beaks to preen. The exceptions are the head and neck areas.
– Behavior – Preening is usually a relaxed, methodical behavior. The parrot appears calm and content as it works through its feathers.
So in summary, preening is recognized by its gentle, systematic appearance and function of benefiting the plumage. It’s a common, instinctual maintenance routine. Next, let’s compare this to feather picking.
What is Feather Picking?
Feather picking is an abnormal, destructive behavior where the parrot pulls out or chews its own feathers and down. It usually indicates that the parrot is stressed, anxious, or suffering from some medical, psychological or environmental issue. Here are characteristics of feather picking:
– Appearance – Feather picking involves plucking, chewing, shredding or aggressively pulling out feathers. The movement tends to be forceful and haphazard rather than gentle and systematic. Feathers are often removed completely. Over time, bald spots may appear.
– Purpose – Feather picking seems to be performed out of stress, boredom, frustration, anxiety, curiosity, attention-seeking, or medical discomfort. It does not benefit the plumage the way normal preening does.
– Frequency – Feather picking may occur more frequently and last longer than a typical preening session, depending on the underlying cause. Sessions can go on for hours if the parrot is very stressed. Feather pickers may also try to pick whenever they get the chance.
– Appearance of plumage – Bald spots, damaged feathers, and down plucking often result from feather picking sessions. The feathers appear disheveled rather than neatly aligned.
– Location – Parrots often pick areas they can’t reach as well while preening, like the chest, abdomen and legs. They may contort themselves to access these areas.
– Behavior – Feather picking is associated with anxiety and stress. The parrot may appear agitated, frantic, or withdrawn while engaging in this behavior. Screaming or other behavioral problems may accompany it.
In summary, while preening benefits the feathers, feather picking damages them. Preening follows an orderly pattern, while feather picking appears random and compulsive. If feather picking occurs often and leads to visible plumage damage, there is likely an underlying issue that needs addressing.
Normal Preening vs. Problematic Feather Picking – A Visual Guide
Here is a visual guide to help show the differences between normal preening and problematic feather picking:
Normal Preening | Problematic Feather Picking |
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What Causes Feather Picking?
Feather picking does not normally occur in healthy, content parrots. It develops over time and indicates some kind of problem. Here are some potential causes:
– Psychological stress – This is a very common cause. Stress, anxiety, boredom and loneliness can cause parrots to pick their feathers. Lack of appropriate mental stimulation and bonding time with owners often underlies psychological feather picking.
– Medical issues – Skin infections, external parasites, allergies, fungal or bacterial infections, and other medical issues may cause itching, irritation and discomfort that leads to picking. Nutritional imbalances may also contribute.
– Hormones – Some parrots with hormonal imbalances resulting from factors like poor diet, lack of sleep, and bonding to owners pick their feathers. This is due to fluctuating hormone levels.
– Environment – Feather picking can arise from environmental stressors like dirty surroundings, inappropriate housing, loud noises, lack of routine, and disrupted sleep patterns.
– Attention-seeking – Some parrots learn that feather picking gets them attention from their owners, even if negative. They pick in order to get interaction.
– Boredom – Parrots are highly intelligent, active animals. Chronic boredom and lack of enrichment in their environment can cause them to pick feathers.
– Learned behavior – Parrots may learn to pick feathers from observing other birds doing it. It can become a habit over time.
The specific triggers are unique in each case. Working with an avian vet and behavioralist helps uncover the underlying factors leading to feather picking for an individual parrot. Addressing the root causes is key to resolving the problem.
Problems Caused by Feather Picking
If feather picking persists, it can lead to some serious health and behavior issues, including:
– Damaged plumage – The parrot’s feathers become frayed and broken over time. Bald spots develop from repeated plucking. This impairs their ability to fly and regulate body temperature.
– Self-mutilation – Some chronic feather pickers eventually mutilate their skin as well, causing wounds and scarring. This is very dangerous.
– Increased stress – The longer feather picking continues, the more stressed the parrot becomes. This can spiral into worse psychological problems.
– Infection – Open wounds caused by picking are prone to infection. Bacteria can penetrate down to the bone and bloodstream.
– Behavioral disorders – Feather picking is often accompanied by screeching, aggression, self-isolation and other behavioral issues.
– Alienation from owners – Owners often become frustrated and disappointed by a feather picker, which harms their bond with the parrot.
– Shortened lifespan – All these risks can lead to health complications that take years off a parrot’s expected lifespan if the causes are not addressed. Catching feather picking early is vital.
In short, feather picking creates a negative cycle that further damages the parrot’s welfare and relationship with owners if allowed to continue. Consulting an avian vet at the first signs is crucial.
When to Seek Help for Feather Picking
Here are signs that feather picking is becoming a serious problem requiring professional intervention:
– Bald spots appear from repeated plucking of the same areas
– Broken blood feathers, wounds and scabbing result from picking sessions
– The parrot plucks compulsively for over an hour at a time on a regular basis
– Feather picking occurs alongside screaming fits or aggression
– You find large piles of down, partially removed feathers, or fully removed feathers
– The parrot chews off parts of feathers down to the quill
– Self-mutilation of the skin begins after feather removal is complete in an area
– New behaviors like head bobbing, swaying, or tail chewing arise
– The parrot becomes withdrawn and isolated
– Feather picking starts suddenly after a major life change like a move
Any of these signs indicate it’s time to reach out to an avian veterinarian and parrot behavioralist for help. The sooner the underlying issue is identified and treated, the better the chance of resolving the problem before it becomes ingrained habit.
Stopping Feather Picking
It takes some detective work to determine the motivation behind a parrot’s feather picking. An avian vet will run tests to identify any medical conditions contributing to it. They may prescribe medications if infection or pain is an issue. Blood tests check for nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances.
A certified parrot behavioralist can help uncover psychological and environmental factors. They will observe the parrot’s interactions and surroundings closely to pinpoint stress triggers.
Once the underlying causes are found, a treatment plan can be created. This may involve:
– Changes to diet and environment
– Increased bonding time out of the cage
– Foraging and training exercises to reduce boredom
– Adding new enrichment toys on rotation
– Restricting access to over-preened areas
– Using UV lighting to inhibit picking
– Medications or supplements if needed
– Modifying unwanted owner reactions
– Introducing new household routines
– Curbing hormonal issues
– Teaching replacement behaviors like shredding toys
With consistent management of medical issues, environment, and behavior, feather picking can be overcome at any stage. However, the sooner it is addressed, the higher the rate of success. Stopping the behavior before it becomes ingrained habit is ideal.
How to Prevent Feather Picking
Since feather picking arises from suboptimal husbandry and welfare issues, the best approach is prevention through proper parrot care. Here are tips for keeping parrots happy and avoiding feather picking problems:
– Get the biggest suitable cage possible and allow plenty of supervised out-of-cage time
– Feed a balanced, fresh diet with fruits, vegetables, grains and quality protein
– Provide abundant enrichment – toys, branches, foraging activities
– Groom nails and feathers regularly to keep them healthy
– Ensure plenty of sleep, 10-12 hours in total darkness
– Have realistic expectations for parrot behavior and nature
– Shower the parrot with affection and positive interaction daily
– Maintain a predictable routine with exposure to new things
– Train using positive reinforcement to build a bond
– Take the parrot in for annual wellness exams
– Avoid over-stimulating petting and touching
– Get a second parrot as a companion if possible
– Choose low-hormone inducing foods and limit reproductive triggers
– Address any emerging bad habits right away, don’t ignore them
Meeting all of a parrot’s complex needs is rewarding but also demanding. If you don’t have several hours a day to devote to a parrot, reconsider taking one on. Prevention centers around providing exemplary care and housing from the start.
Provide Proper Veterinary Care
It’s essential to establish a relationship with an avian vet before acquiring any parrot. Schedule annual exams to catch any health issues early. Be prepared to spend $200-$500 per year on routine and emergency vet care. Vets and behaviorists are key partners in identifying and resolving any emerging feather picking problems. Don’t delay in seeking their expertise if your parrot starts displaying this harmful behavior. The sooner it is addressed, the better the outcome will be for both you and your parrot’s welfare and relationship.
Conclusion
Distinguishing normal preening from problematic feather picking requires recognizing the appearance, motivation, and repercussions of each behavior. While preening benefits the plumage, feather picking stems from underlying welfare issues and damages the feathers. Allowing feather picking to continue harms the parrot psychologically and physically. Prevention through attentive care and husbandry is ideal. At the first signs of feather picking, enlist your avian vet and a certified parrot behavioralist. Addressing the root causes early and consistently gives the best chance of resolving feather picking for good. The effort is well worth it to help our parrots live healthy, enriched lives.