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Plucking can be a problem in many birds, but parrots seem to be quite good at it.

Feather plucking is a stereotypic behaviour. A stereotypic behaviour can be a result of stress or, particularly, boredom. Stereotypic behaviours are due to the lack of choices available to an animal. In an engaging environment, a bird has many options. It’s daily routine may look something like this: Play - drink - groom - bathe - play - sleep - play - eat - play - sleep

For a bird that doesn’t have enough toys, doesn’t have to forage for treats, doesn’t have enough interaction with its owner or other birds, or has toys it is no longer interested in, its daily routine may look like this: Groom - drink - groom - eat - groom - sleep - groom - eat - groom - sleep

The bird has run out of choices, and as a result it begins repeating one or two of the few choices it has. Stereotypy is a result of an enclosure that doesn’t give the bird the chance to indulge in its natural behaviours, such as foraging, puzzle-solving, playing with other birds (or you), climbing and exercising.

Excessive grooming will lead to feather loss. If this is allowed to continue for a long time, the bird can damage the feather follicle. A damaged follicle is serious - this feather will never grow back.

If you notice your bird plucking, take some time to consider its environment and routine. Has this just started, or has it been happening for a while?

Has there been a big change in routine lately - a new bird or a moved cage? This may indicate stress-plucking, and you should consult a vet or an animal behaviourist.

How many hours a day is your bird able to play? To exercise? To cuddle with you? Do you change his toys often enough that they don’t become routine or boring? Do you give him the opportunity to leave the cage and sit on a play-stand, or fly around?

If your bird is physically and mentally stimulated, every day, he won’t pluck, and you will have a happy, healthy parrot - both physically and mentally.

If you notice your bird is plucking, you should take him to a vet immediately.

Bigger, more intelligent birds are theoretically more likely to pluck, but I’ve seen many cases of plucking in rainbow lorikeets - more so than any other species.

There are commercial sprays available that are distasteful to the bird, and will stop plucking, but this is definitely a short term solution, and it is important to understand why your bird is plucking in the first place.

Plucking can also be caused by irritation during moulting, or due to parasites such as mites.

Don’t forget that a moulting bird will pluck old feathers out, as they loosen. This is completely normal, and finding feathers at the bottom of the cage during moulting season is nothing to fear.

If you’re concerned at all about your bird, see a vet as soon as possible.

Species: Hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)

(Source)

betterthandarkchocolate

They are cheap to buy.

They can live in small spaces.

Birds eat seeds.

They are low maintenance.

They aren’t overly cuddly.

Assumption: Birds are cheap to buy

Fact: Most common species are available to buy cheaply at pet stores around the world, also by...

avianawareness

Eclectus Parrots The Eclectus parrot has grown in its popularity as a companion parrot. Many parrot owners are drawn to them due to their astounding colors and their ability to talk. Many Eclectus owners claim that their Eclectus speaking ability is equal to that of an African Greys.

Pet Quality If an Eclectus parrot is well socialized, they will go to anyone and make great family pets. There have been Eclectus Parrots placed in homes of families with children and each family member is able to have their own special bond with the bird. They are very affectionate and intelligent parrots, with nice mellow personalities. Their laid back personality is sometimes mis-construed as “boring” when the Eclectus is young and first brought home. That certainly does change as their “little” personalities develop as they mature. Females are violet-blue and red, the males green with red and turquoise under the wings.

Diet The Eclectus Parrot require a dietrich with fresh fruits and vegetables. This need is attributed to the fact that the Eclectus has a longer intestinal tract than your “average parrot”. It has also been proven that the fresh food you provide that is high in vitamin A is much more important than feeding them pellets. For that reason Eclectus need plenty of sweet potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables and almonds in their diet. As a matter of fact, their beaks are not designed for cracking nuts, they are designed to peel fruit. You should always avoid feeding an Eclectus colored pellets.

Noise Level A very well behaved Eclectus, prefers talking to squawking, in fact many of them are absolutely excellent talkers, learning whole sentences and speaking in different voices at a fairly young age. It is highly recommended that while you are away from your home that you provide your Eclectus with the company of the television or radio. If their area is too quiet, they will learn to make their own noise. You need to be sure to equip them with the ability to learn acceptable vocalization.

Housing Requirements The general rule is that any time a parrot is added to your home that you purchase the biggest cage you can afford and has the appropriate bar spacing. With the Eclectus parrot a large cage I important but because they are not hugely destructive, the strength of the bars is typically not an issue. Despite the fact that the Eclectus is not a strong chewer, they do enjoy pulling apart their toys. It is recommended to provide them with an array of soft wood and plenty of other toys that they can “fiddle” with including bells, swings and toys they can hang from.

When choosing between purchasing a play top ore a dome top cage it is strongly recommended to go with the dome top cape. The dome top cage provides much more room inside the cage that that of the play top. The dome top provides more room to “spread their wings” and have fun while they are in their cage for “cage time”. A play top on the cage is not a good idea due to the fact that the Eclectus is predisposed to become quite territorial and should not be allowed to spend long periods of time playing on their cages. When it comes to maintaining your birds pet potential we recommend providing a separate play stand that is away from the cage to enhance their out of cage experience. We personally have play stands located in most areas of our home which enables us to keep a bird or two with us as we go throughout our daily routines. The Eclectus is easily trained to “stay where you put them” and will quite happy hanging out on a play stand that is equipped with lots of stuff for them to do.

Life Span The life span of an Eclectus parrot used to be the young age of 6 years old. The advances that have been made through out the past several year ha help us to learn the importance of their diet needs. If you are feeding your Eclectus parrot the proper diet, they do have the potential to live as long as an African Grey.

Eclectic Facts Eclectus Parrots live from 40 to 50 years. They are about 14” long.

Female parrots have red and purple feathers with black beaks

Males are green with orange beaks.

Usually the female of the species is more aggressive than males.

The female may become quite moody during breeding season after they have mature at about 4 years of age.

Eclectus Parrots come from Australia, New Guinea and the South Pacific.

Minimum cage size is 32”W x 32”L x 48”H

Eclectus Parrots are sensitive to smoke and strong odors.

Provide perches of different widths, diameters and textures to help keep a Eclectus Parrot’s feet healthy.

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blorpy

Parrots are awesome!

Lots of people are aware parrots are pretty smart animals, but it is really neat to hear a first hand account of parrot ownership. Metafilter’s Nattie shares some of her experience:

My Congo African Grey picks up stuff REALLY fast. Sometimes he’ll piece together stuff that’s hilarious. Yesterday I was sitting next to him reading, and he was preening quietly so I told him he was being really good — giving them attention when they’re not screaming gives them the option of not screaming when they want attention, so I try to do this a lot. His response? He said in a friendly tone, “You’re a really good Nattie. Haha. I love you, bitch.” My husband and I use obscenities as casual endearments. Then sometimes he’ll throw stuff together in Engrish-y ways that almost make sense. The other day we were moving, so I put Bongo (the African Grey) and our cockatiel in their travel cages so I could take their huge cages apart to stick in the truck. Bongo didn’t like this, so he decided to lift up his water bowl, which lifts the food cup door, and throw it on the floor. Shocked, I said, “You douche!” Bongo yeowled, this hilarious gibberishy cat-like sound. My husband came in and asked what happened, and Bongo said, “Yes, that became water now.” I want to put that on a shirt with like, a picture of an anthropocentrized flower or something.