Feather picking syndrome, also known as pterotillomania, is a behavioral disorder in birds that causes them to excessively pluck, pull, and chew their own feathers and skin. It is quite common in pet birds, especially parrots. While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed to be brought on by a combination of behavioral, medical, and environmental factors.
What causes feather picking?
There are a few key factors that are thought to contribute to the development of feather picking syndrome in birds:
- Boredom – Birds that lack mental stimulation and enrichment in their environment may resort to feather picking out of boredom.
- Stress – Stressful events or living conditions can trigger the behavior, such as neglect, abuse, changes in environment or routine, lack of sleep, or introduction of new birds.
- Medical issues – Diseases, parasites, skin infections or allergies can cause itchiness or discomfort that leads to feather picking.
- Nutritional deficiencies – Imbalances in diet or deficient nutrition may play a part in some cases.
- Heredity – Some birds may have a genetic predisposition to developing feather destructive behaviors.
Often it is a combination of multiple factors that leads to the development of feather picking. Boredom and stress are common causes, but underlying medical issues can exacerbate the problem. Consulting an avian veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions is an important first step in treating feather picking syndrome.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Birds with feather picking syndrome will show various signs, such as:
- Pulling out feathers, especially from their chest, legs, and wings
- Chewing or breaking feathers with their beak
- Over-preening feathers excessively
- Having bald patches or bare skin from missing feathers
- Irritation, wounds or scabs on the skin from picking
- Eating or swallowing feathers after pulling them out
It often starts with mild over-preening but can progress to severe feather destruction and self-mutilation in extreme cases. The bird may act agitated or frantic while engaging in the behavior. Targeted picking usually focuses on certain areas but can eventually spread across the body.
What birds are most at risk?
Certain types of birds are more prone to feather picking syndrome, including:
- Parrots – Cockatoos, macaws, African greys are especially susceptible
- Parakeets and cockatiels
- Finches and canaries
- Softbills like toucans
- Mynah birds and crows
- Chickens can sometimes exhibit feather pecking
Highly intelligent and social birds like parrots tend to be more prone to behavioral disorders like feather picking. Solitary birds who lack enrichment and social interaction are also at greater risk.
Is feather picking fatal?
Feather picking itself is not usually fatal to birds. However, it can sometimes lead to serious complications if left untreated, such as:
- Skin infections – Open wounds caused by picking can allow bacterial infections to develop.
- Abscesses – Infection and inflammation under the skin may form walled-off pockets of pus.
- Septicemia – Bacterial infection in the bloodstream can occur if skin infection spreads systemically. This is life threatening.
- Excessive blood loss – Picking that causes deep wounds can lead to dangerous blood loss or hemorrhage.
While not directly fatal, chronic stress and self-mutilation may also weaken the bird’s overall health over time. Seeking prompt veterinary care is important to stop the cycle of damage and risk of infection.
How is feather picking diagnosed?
Diagnosing feather picking requires:
- Physical exam – Checking for areas of missing feathers, skin damage, infection.
- Medical history – Asking about the bird’s diet, environment, behavior to identify possible causes.
- Testing – Blood work, skin scrapings to rule out underlying medical issues.
- Observation – Documenting when and where on the body the bird picks.
Once medical causes are ruled out, the remainder of cases can be attributed to behavioral or environmental factors. The pattern and nature of the picking provides clues as to the motivation behind the disorder.
Can feather picking be cured?
There is no known “cure” for feather picking, only management focused on addressing the underlying motivation for the damaging behavior. Treatment typically involves:
- Enrichment – Providing more toys, interaction, training and activities to reduce boredom.
- Reducing stress – Eliminating or minimizing sources of anxiety or conflict.
- Medical care – Treating any infections, parasites, allergies, or nutritional issues.
- Medication – In extreme cases, antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed.
- Deterrents – Bitter sprays, feather collars or temporary banding can deter picking.
With patience and a holistic approach targeting all possible factors, feather picking can be controlled and sometimes eliminated in birds.
What is the prognosis for feather picking birds?
The prognosis depends on the severity and causes behind the feather destructive behavior:
- Mild cases triggered by stress may resolve on their own when the source of stress is removed.
- Medical issues can be cured with proper treatment targeting the underlying problem.
- Long-standing behavioral cases may improve but will require ongoing management.
- Birds with severe self-mutilation often have a poorer long-term prognosis.
The earlier feather picking is addressed, the better the chances of remission. Even chronic cases can be managed with diligence. But preventing recurrence remains an ongoing challenge in birds prone to the disorder.
How can feather picking be prevented?
Some ways to help prevent feather picking include:
- Providing plenty of foraging toys, swings, branches and activities
- Offering a stimulating social environment with other birds
- Establishing consistent daily routines and sleep schedules
- Avoiding drastic changes in diet or environment
- Reducing noise, household stress and human handling
- Ensuring a balanced, nutritious diet with proper calcium
- Regular avian vet exams to catch issues early
While not guaranteed to prevent problems, minimizing stress and enriching the bird’s lifestyle can help reduce the risk factors associated with feather picking development.
Conclusion
In summary, feather picking syndrome is a destructive behavioral problem that is quite common in pet birds. It involves damaging their plumage via obsessive chewing, plucking and barbering feathers. The exact cause is unknown but likely involves a combination of medical issues, environmental stress, boredom and genetics. While not directly fatal, it can lead to dangerous infections or cause serious self-inflicted injury over time. Proper diagnosis, enrichment and medical treatment are needed to manage feather picking in birds. With patience and dedication, it is possible to resolve or control many cases, especially when caught early before the behavior is entrenched.
FAQs
Why do birds pluck their feathers?
The main reasons birds pluck feathers are believed to be boredom, stress, medical discomfort, nutritional deficiency, lack of social interaction, anxiety, compulsiveness, and heredity. It is often a combination of factors rather than one single cause.
Do birds feel pain when plucking feathers?
Birds likely do not feel pain when simply removing feathers, as the shaft has no nerve endings. However, they will feel pain if they damage the follicles or skin while plucking, which often occurs.
How do you stop a bird from pulling feathers?
Strategies to stop feather plucking include providing enrichment through toys, training and social interaction, reducing stress, treating medical issues, trying deterrents like bitter sprays, and in severe cases medication or temporary feather restraints.
Can plucked feathers grow back?
Feathers can grow back after being plucked, but it requires the follicle (root) to remain intact. Severely damaged follicles may prevent full regrowth. It takes time for new feathers to fully regrow after plucking.
Is feather plucking a form of self harm?
Feather picking is considered a form of self mutilation or self harm in birds. It causes tissue damage and involves the bird injuring itself, much like human self harm behaviors. Underlying psychological factors are likely involved.
Can feather picking be genetic?
Research suggests genetics may play a role, as certain bird species and bloodlines appear predisposed to developing feather destructive tendencies. The heritability likely involves neurochemical pathways in the brain.
Is plucking contagious between birds?
Feather picking itself is not contagious. However, birds may mimic the behavior if housed with other feather pickers. The underlying causes like stress, boredom or nutrition can also spread between flock mates.
What helps bird picked skin heal?
To help picked skin heal, the cause must be addressed first. Keeping the area clean, using antiseptic ointments, preventing further picking, and sometimes bandaging wounds can promote healing. An avian vet can provide care instructions.
Can feather picking be fatal?
Feather picking itself is rarely directly fatal, but it can lead to dangerous complications like infection, haemorrhage or abscesses which can be fatal if left untreated. Severe self-mutilation may also impact overall health.
Should I pluck damaged feathers?
It’s best not to pluck damaged feathers yourself, as this may encourage further picking by the bird. Allow them to molt out naturally if possible. But seek vet advice, as in some cases feather removal may help certain skin conditions heal.
