In captivity, a plucking bird can be a sign of illness or an environmental problem. If you suspect your bird has been plucking, it is essential you get your bird to an avian vet as quickly as possible to determine it is free of PBFD or other medical problems. If it is not due to an illness, it is most likely due to an environmental issue.
Causes
Birds that are stressed will pluck as a means of calming themselves, do it out of boredom or lack of interaction, or even a poor diet.
Ask yourself these questions to narrow down the cause so your bird can be on its way to being fully feathered.
1). Does your bird eat a healthy diet?
A poor diet can stress a bird to the point of plucking. If you find your bird’s diet is less than great, try mixing it up by adding in some fresh fruits and vegetables and other foods they would eat in the wild. A seed only diet lacks a lot of nutrition so try expanding their sources of nutrients.
2). Is the bird’s cage clean?
Birds are clean animals by nature, so a dirty cage is detrimental to their mental and physical health. Clean your cage regularly.
3). Does your bird get enough attention and mental stimulation?
Parrots are highly intelligent and social animals. They crave interaction with their flock (that’s you!) and will pluck if they feel neglected. Take a look at the time you spend with your bird and make sure you are providing enough socialization, interaction, and playtime.
4). Does your bird get enough beauty sleep?
Birds need more sleep than you! Evaluate their sleeping quarters as they need their own dark and quiet space to ensure it gets enough rest.
5). Have there been any changes in your household?
If there has been a move, a change in household members including a new baby or a pet, or a different schedule, this can induce stress. Try your hardest to maintain a normal schedule and introduce changes to your bird slowly.
Treatment
If you find your bird’s environment is lacking in any of the ways pointed out above, take immediate action! Once a bird starts plucking it becomes a very difficult habit to break. Make sure your bird’s feathers stay intact by providing it with the most comfortable, loving environment that they all deserve!