Is Your Parrot Losing Its Feathers?
If you find that your bird has started plucking out it's feathers it could mean they are unhappy and
possibly stressed! It usually occurs in caged birds as a response to boredom and environmental conditions. Make sure the area your bird lives in is big enough for them to fly about, this is especially important with the larger birds such as the Grey Parrot.
There must be lots for them to do, not only must their toys be challenging but so must their surroundings. They love to fly and find their food so start trying to hide it where they are not going to expect to see it?
Place it in toys and receptacles, and change it around so they never quite know where to find it! keep them guessing!
They need to have to manoeuvre their toys about and search the food out, this will not only occupy their time and amuse them but they are very intelligent birds and need to be challenged.
With the African Grey, they really like to be kept in small flocks, where possible. So try not to keep them in isolation. If they are kept alone they are more likely to talk than in a flock so that is a bonus for us, but as long as you are not out working all day and can spend good quality time with them you shouldn't encounter any problems but they do need to be kept amused!
You should let them out of their cage every day to allow them to stretch their wings an allow them to walk about. whilst doing this you can introduce some training for them by using a clicker.
They need to keep their brains alert and active, they are very easy to train as they are very intellegent and will benefit from interaction with their owners.
All of this will reduce the prospect of your Parrot starting to pluck their feathers, through boredom, stress or loneliness. When they are alone the tend to over preen and plucking, If they have nothing else to do, they turn their interest to themselves.
The other reasons this may happen could be dietary imbalances, hormonal or infestation. So if concerned abo
ut a sudden plucking spree, check with your vet before the problem gets too advanced.
Temperature and daylight can also affect the normal moult cycle so your vet or specialist should be able to advise you on what the causes could be.
