This month's speaker Dr. Jackie Frederickson, DVM (VCA Lake Otis), will discuss feather destructive behaviors (FDB) and what we, as responsible companion parrot caretakers, can do to minimize the effects of FDB in our psittacine friends.

The phrase "feather plucking" is commonly used to describe behavior that ranges from mild overpreening to self-mutilation. Management of this condition is frequently challenging.   Feather plucking seldom has a single etiology, and it is prudent to thoroughly explore all possible contributing factors, including underlying medical problems (Merck Veterinary Manual).

What causes FDB?   Can any psittacine have FDB?   Are certain psittacine species more prone to FDB than other species?   Will MY bird come down with FDB?!?!

If you have kept psittacines for any length of time, you know that there are key elements to FDB that fall into three main categories of, "... inadequate diet, not enough humidity and/or baths and lack of significant environmental stimulation (Sally Blanchard)."   These three categories can be diagnosed by qualified avian behavior consultants and avian veterinarians.   Dependent on the root cause of the FDB, the solutions can be as simple as bathing the affected companion parrot daily, to ensuring there are adequate and appropriate toys for the bird.   One African gray I worked with was left in its cage for up to 20 hours daily and had one macaw-sized toy to play with.   As a result, the African gray found great delight in plucking itself completely from the neck to its toes.   At the time I was asked to work with the parrot, I thought it would succumb to body heat loss since it did not have even downy feathers on its body.

I have been working with the African gray for almost two years, trying a variety of behavioral modification plans to see what works best for it.   The best so far, is allowing the bird the choice of being in its cage, or on the cage-top playpen.   In addition to giving the bird a choice of where to be, the are a variety of toys for it to play with.   The toys represent preening opportunities (the toy has cotton fibers that can be 'preened'), destructive opportunities (the toy is made to be destroyed, usually made of cardboard, paper, palm leaf), and permanent toys (such as bells, plastic chains).   Allowing the African gray the opportunity to choose the place and activity has minimized the FDB and is allowing recuperative time for feathers to reappear.   The African gray's name?   ABC members may remember the July 2005 bird of the month, Art.   Art now has wing feathers, some little red stumps of tail feathers and her body is covered with a variety of downy and immature body feathers.   Art is making great strides in lessening her FDB and beginning to look like a companion parrot again.

I look forward to seeing you at the June 6 th club meeting and hearing Dr. Frederickson's presentation on feather destructive behaviors

Gregory D. Wilki