ReviewFeather Loss and Feather Destructive Behavior in Pet Birds
Section snippets
Non-medical Intrinsic Feather Loss
A commonly encountered risk factor for feather loss in the absence of either an underlying medical problem or FDB is an inappropriate environment. A small cage or poor cage layout can damage the primary flight feathers or the rectrices (Fig. 2). The bird may be removing the damaged feathers at an inappropriate rate, but removal of damaged feathers is normal preening behavior. This will rarely affect the secondary or covert feathers.
Toxins, both airborne (e.g., cigarette smoke, scented candles,
Medical Associations
Numerous medical conditions, including some that seem to have an extremely spurious relationship to skin or feather health, have been associated with FDB, though in most cases causality has not been proven. Despite this uncertainty, should the history and/or physical examination fail to provide a diagnosis, a comprehensive medical workup is indicated. Often, the patient's size and/or the financial limitations of the owner prevent the extent of testing that would be ideal; in these circumstances
Mutilation Syndromes
Species-specific “syndromes” of self-trauma that may involve FDB have been reported. Although suspected links to infectious and/or metabolic conditions have been hypothesized, significant behavioral components must be considered. Controlled studies of these “syndromes” are lacking, and further identification of the unique disease entities within this classification awaits further research.
Cockatoos often present for severe self-mutilation involving the feathers, skin, and muscles of the breast
Psychogenic Risk Factors
If an environmental or medical basis for feather loss or FDB cannot be found, behavioral and/or psychological factors must be considered. It is important to remember that behaviorally induced feather destruction is a not a diagnosis, per se, but a reflection of problems within the captive environment. For a list of specific proposed etiologies or contributing factors for behavioral FDB, and resources for client education, see TABLE 1, TABLE 2.
Some veterinarians and behaviorists consider FDB to
Summary
Feather loss is a complicated, multifactorial, and frustrating clinical presentation that should be considered a clinical disease presentation and not a diagnosis. Underlying etiologies and associated risk factors may include medical, environmental, nutritional, and psychological components. A comprehensive history and medical workup are essential when approaching the bird with feather loss. If psychogenic FDB is involved, a variety of enrichment resources are available to create a more
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Prevalence and risk factors of feather damaging behavior in companion parrots: A cross-sectional study in Iran
2023, Applied Animal Behaviour ScienceDevelopment of a life cycle impact assessment methodology for animal welfare with an application in the poultry industry
2023, Sustainable Production and ConsumptionMedical Causes of Feather Damaging Behavior
2021, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Exotic Animal PracticeCitation Excerpt :Abnormal feathering includes dystrophic feathers with hyperkeratotic retained sheaths, blood in the umbilicus of the feather shaft, clubbing of the feathers, annular constrictions at the calamus, and curled and abnormally pigmented feathers (Fig. 4). In North America, lovebirds and budgerigars are frequently affected and diagnosed with this disease.33 One laboratory reported an incidence of positive DNA probe test exceeding 30% in lovebirds.69
Avian Behavior Consultation for Exotic Pet Practitioners
2021, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Exotic Animal PracticeCitation Excerpt :These shortcomings can allow the development of fears and phobias, aggression, abnormal repetitive behaviors, self-mutilation, and screaming.3 Inappropriate relationships with caregivers can exacerbate aggression and lead to reproductive behavior issues; many caregivers do not realize that petting or cuddling with or sharing food with their birds can be perceived by the bird as courting behaviors.7 Globally, the solution is to acknowledge and meet the needs of these gregarious, intelligent, nondomesticated pets; for people who raise young birds, this burden also requires provision of an environment supportive of normal psittacine brain development.
Risk factors for feather-damaging behavior in companion parrots: A social media study
2020, Journal of Veterinary BehaviorCitation Excerpt :It can also result from exaggerated preening behavior arising from pathological manifestation of usual components of feather maintenance (Koski, 2002; Seibert et al, 2004). Feather-damaging behavior can be challenging to treat as it can be difficult to determine whether feather loss is associated with an underlying medical cause (e.g., fungal dermatitis, liver disease, hypothyroidism, vitamin A deficiency) or due to self-inflicted feather-damaging behavior (Koski, 2002; Rubinstein & Lightfoot, 2012). It may also be associated with chronic stress with elevated corticosterone concentrations (Owen & Lane, 2006).
The effect of auditory enrichment, rearing method and social environment on the behavior of zoo-housed psittacines (Aves: Psittaciformes); implications for welfare
2017, Applied Animal Behaviour ScienceCitation Excerpt :Preening is a maintenance behavior and a part of psittacine’s normal repertoire of behavior (Van Zeeland et al., 2009). However over-preening is linked to stereotypy and feather-plucking (Van Zeeland et al., 2009; Rubinstein and Lightfoot, 2012). Therefore these results are difficult to interpret, and further research is needed.