Birds eating their own feathers is a phenomenon known as feather plucking or feather damaging behavior. This unusual behavior is seen in pet birds as well as wild birds, and can have a variety of causes. Feather plucking occurs when a bird repetitively pulls out its own feathers with its beak, which often results in bald patches or even open sores on its skin. While the reasons behind this behavior are not fully understood, it is generally thought to be indicative of stress, anxiety, dietary deficiencies, illness, or boredom in the bird’s environment. Understanding why birds pluck their feathers and addressing any underlying issues is important for their health and wellbeing.
What causes feather plucking in birds?
There are several possible reasons that birds engage in feather plucking behavior:
Stress and anxiety
Feather plucking is often a result of psychological distress. Birds may pull out feathers due to boredom, loneliness, lack of social stimulation, or changes in environment or routine that induce anxiety. Feather plucking tends to be habitual and can become compulsive over time as the behavior is reinforced. Captive birds may be more prone to developing stress-related feather plucking.
Pain or skin irritation
Sometimes birds may start pulling feathers due to discomfort or itching. Skin infections, external parasites like mites or lice, or inflammatory skin disorders can provoke a bird to damage feathers. The act of plucking can then cause more irritation, setting up a cycle of continuing damage as the bird tries to relieve discomfort.
Nutritional deficiencies
Inadequate diet or nutrient deficiencies have been associated with feather damaging behavior. Lack of amino acids, minerals like zinc, or vitamins can all negatively impact feather health and growth. Removing feathers may be the bird’s attempt to ingest nutrients it is missing from its diet. Common deficiencies linked to feather plucking include vitamin A, zinc, and omega fatty acids.
Diseases or illness
Certain infections and internal diseases are thought to contribute to feather plucking in some cases. Birds with psittacine beak and feather disease show increased incidence of damaging behaviors. Other diseases like papillomatosis, liver disease, and heavy metal poisoning may also be related to feather destruction. It is important to have the bird examined by an avian veterinarian for any underlying illness.
Breeding behaviors
Some parrot species like cockatoos and macaws may pluck their chest feathers as part of breeding bonding rituals. This breeding-associated feather plucking typically occurs seasonally when the birds are coming into breeding condition. The feathers are not actually ingested in this case. It should resolve as breeding hormones decrease.
Barbering in cagemates
When housed together, birds may pull out each other’s feathers, a phenomenon known as barbering. A dominant bird may barber a cagemate due to aggression or bonding behaviors. The barbered bird often then tries to remove damaged feathers by plucking them. Separating birds and providing adequate space per individual can help reduce barbering behaviors.
Why do birds swallow feathers when plucking?
Many parrots and other pet bird species ingest some or all of the feathers they pluck. Wild species like chickadees have also been observed pulling out feathers and eating them. Several theories may explain feather eating behavior:
Nutritional supplementation
Eating feathers may provide birds with nutrients they lack or crave in their diet. Feathers are largely made up of the protein keratin. Ingesting feathers may therefore serve as a protein or amino acid source for deficient birds. The minerals and trace elements feathers contain, like zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium, could also supplement nutritional needs.
Psychological comfort
Ingesting feathers may calm birds in a way similar to human nail biting or hair twirling. The action may be self-soothing during times of stress. Feather eating may also become a compulsive habit over time. The behavior is reinforced as the bird gains comfort or satisfaction from doing it.
Alleviating pain or irritation
If feathers are broken or the follicles damaged when plucked, birds may eat them to help remove the irritant. Swallowing feathers minimizes bothersome feathers from continuing to provoke discomfort after they’ve been pulled out. Eating feathers may also be an attempt to relieve itching from skin disorders.
Hormonal influences
Feather production and molting are controlled by various hormones. Hormonal imbalances may sometimes provoke odd ingestive behaviors like eating feathers. This is still an area requiring further research to better understand connections between hormones and feather damaging tendencies.
Exploratory or play behavior
Young birds may experiment by putting feathers in their mouth. Some amount of feather tasting or eating during development may be normal curiosity or play behavior. However, actually swallowing feathers should not persist past the juvenile stage of growth.
How does eating feathers impact bird health?
Despite being a natural protein source, feathers are difficult to digest and offer little nutritional value when eaten. Swallowing feathers can actually cause some health concerns for birds:
Impaction risk
The indigestible nature of feathers makes them prone to forming compacted masses in a bird’s gastrointestinal tract. Feather impaction is a serious risk as it can block the intestines and be fatal if not resolved. Signs of impaction include loss of appetite, lethargy, and straining to pass droppings.
Feather regrowth disruption
Plucking and eating growing feather follicles or blood feathers may damage the structure responsible for feather regeneration. This can delay new feather growth and leave bald spots. It can also increase the likelihood a bird plucks the same areas due to discomfort.
Malnutrition
While feathers contain some protein, they do not provide complete nutrition. Relying on feathers rather than whole foods can lead to vital nutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition may then exacerbate feather damaging tendencies.
Intestinal damage or obstruction
The barbs and hooks on feathers can get lodged in a bird’s throat or scratch and puncture digestive tract tissues. Irritation, injury, or blockage of the digestive system may result. This can become life threatening if not treated.
Parasite transmission
Eating feathers could potentially expose a bird to parasites like gapeworms that are shed in feathers. Certain parasites need to be consumed in order to infect a new host. Ingesting feathers may therefore increase parasitic infection risks in some cases.
How to curb feather plucking and eating
If your bird is demonstrating feather damaging behaviors, consult an avian veterinarian first to diagnose any medical cause. If the behavior seems psychological, there are some strategies that may help:
Reduce stress
Minimize any anxiety-provoking changes to the bird’s environment, routine or social interactions. Try to identify and eliminate stress triggers. Increase positive social time with human flock members. Provide comfort through routines, favorite foods or new toys.
Ensure adequate diet
Feed a complete, balanced diet low in sugar and high in omega fatty acids, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Eliminate any nutritional shortfalls that could provoke feather eating. Provide clean, fresh water at all times.
Discourage the behavior
Interrupt and redirect your bird any time feather plucking is noticed. Provide other oral stimulation objects like bird-safe wood pieces. Avoid giving attention while plucking occurs to prevent reinforcing the behavior. Place an Elizabethan collar to prevent access to feathers during molts.
Address underlying medical issues
Have your avian vet examine the bird for any pathogens or illnesses that could be provoking feather damaging. Treat any bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections. Address skin, feather follicle or gastrointestinal issues.
Increase enrichment
Provide ample space, social interactions, foraging and play opportunities to reduce boredom. Rotate new toys frequently to pique curiosity. Try clicker training to mentally stimulate your bird using positive reinforcement. Natural branches and shredder toys can also help satisfy urges.
Consistency and patience are needed when retraining feather plucking tendencies. In severe cases, medication may be needed to help curb obsessive-compulsive behavior characteristics. With a holistic approach focused on enriched care and training, feather plucking can often be successfully managed.
Conclusion
Feather plucking and consumption is a complex behavior in birds that usually signals some form of underlying problem, whether it be medical, dietary, or psychological in nature. While the exact motivation remains unclear, possible explanations include nutritional deficiencies, skin irritation, physiological effects of breeding hormones, or simply habitual activities that bring comfort. Regardless of the cause, feather damaging behaviors can negatively impact health. Finding and addressing the root issue is key to both stopping the plucking and avoiding further complications. With proper veterinary guidance, a good diet, enrichment and training, problematic feather plucking can often be curbed in captive birds and their wellbeing restored.
