pet care & health them. This may indicate a fungal infection on the feathers, or the presence of oil from the hands of a caregiver. Consult your avian veterinarian for safe treatment for this condition.
Feather destructive behaviour
Unfortunately, captive parrots can develop the abnormal behaviour of plucking out or chewing( barbering) their own feathers. Feather destructive behaviour has numerous causes, from psychological issues such as stress, hormonal activity, or loneliness, to medical causes, including the presence of a skin infection, an underlying disease, nutritional deficiencies or chronic pain.
A visit to your avian vet is recommended to investigate the source of the problem.
Husbandry for healthy feathers
Providing proper husbandry is critical to the health of your bird. This includes, among other things:
• The use of a suitable cage, which should be as large as possible and free of rust and flaking paint( birds love to eat paint flakes and can develop heavy metal poisoning from this habit).
• Providing a healthy, varied diet( we recommend a base of good quality parrot pellets along with vegetables, some fruit, and a limited number of healthy seeds and nuts).
• Enrichment such as different perches, ropes and swings; destructible toys such as wood blocks and foraging toys( these are boredom-alleviating toys where the bird must perform an action in order to receive a reward such as a favoured treat).
• Contact with other birds or human caregivers. Some birds benefit greatly from living in a flock while others are happier with human companions. Each one is an individual with its own likes and dislikes.
• Routine medical care( at minimum, a yearly health check by your avian vet).
The above are the most important steps you can take for the long-term health of your feathered friends. Remember:“ Fine feathers make fine birds”.
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