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| Still related to their wild cousins, your pet bird can be stressed by a number of factors. If her stress level becomes too high, your bird may bite, pick her feathers, scream, or even become phobic. Normally, correcting or eliminating the immediate cause of the stress will solve these problems. Sometimes, however, things will not be as simple as they seem on the surface. A combination of factors could be troubling your pet. Under these circumstances, you will need to be patient, observant, and willing to try a combination of things to get her through her troubled time. |
Toys help eliminate boredom and provide fun opportunities to play and chew.
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Shredders - These woven palm leaves are sure to be your bird's favorite chew.
Deterrents taste bad, making the act of feather picking unpleasant.
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Fooey spray has a bitter taste designed to stop feather picking immediately.
Calmatives reduce anxiety.
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Serene-UM contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in a completely natural form to relax your bird when he needs it most.
Whenever bad behaviors persist, we strongly recommend that you consult with an avian veterinarian before they become serious.
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bird stress factor checklist
If your bird is feather picking, or displaying other negative behaviors, she may be stressed by one or more of the common causes listed below. |
| stress type: MENTAL |
| SYMPTOMS/CAUSES |
Separation anxiety: screaming when you depart from the room
Genetic factors; nervousness due to hereditary factors
Sorrow; loss of mate or owner
Inability to adjust to domestication
Reaction to a singular traumatic event such as improper wing clipping, or being restricted too rough with a towel
Boredom; insecurity caused by inconsistent attention, or loneliness
Fear due to exposure to hostility, witnessing a violent act, or angry shouting; intimidation by people
Weaning trauma |
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| stress type: HABITAT |
| SYMPTOMS/CAUSES |
Insufficient number of interactive or chew toys
Improper or insufficient light
Unsteady or improperly secured perches
Wrong size or shape of cage
Poor cage hygiene |
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| stress type: FOOD & WATER |
| SYMPTOMS/CAUSES |
Poor diet causing deficiencies, or excesses, or any nutritional imbalance
A food intolerance or allergy to a specific food ingredient
Contaminated or stagnant water
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| stress type: CHANGES in ENVIRONMENT or SCHEDULE |
| SYMPTOMS/CAUSES |
Erratic hit and miss feeding schedule
Moving to a new home
Getting a new cage
Rearranging your room, furniture, or moving the cage to a new room
The noise and commotion of renovation in the home; power tools, strangers coming and going, etc.
Changes of color surroundings; new paint, wallpaper, etc.
Disturbance by rodents, insects, wild birds, or animals |
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| stress type: SOCIAL |
| SYMPTOMS/CAUSES |
Introducing a new pet to the home
Introducing a new family member; a baby, mother-in-law comes to stay, new roommate, etc
A new cage mate, or an incompatible cage mate
Breeding frustration, often resulting from seasonal changes, or inappropriate egg or chick removal |
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| stress type: HEALTH |
| SYMPTOMS/CAUSES |
Medication; the administering of the medicine or the taste
Infection (bacterial or fungal) or disease
Indigestion
Metabolic disorder; determinable by an avian veterinarian
Nervous system disorder; determinable by an avian veterinarian
Exposure to toxins; pesticides, herbicides, or other pollutants
Ingestion of a toxic substance
Misprescribed antibiotics or other medicines
Vitamin or mineral deficiency
Irritation from molting
Insufficient rest or sleep deprivation
Improper wing clip
Nail clipping
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| stress type: EXERCISE |
| SYMPTOMS/CAUSES |
Lack of physical exercise
Overstimulation; too much or too rough play; too many new toys in cage at one time
Travel |
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PRODUCTS RELATED TO:
Bird Behavior & Training
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