Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 11/4/2007

Question
Hi, I have a peachfaced lovebird for a year now, not sure if it's male of female, he's(we think it's a male) 1 1/2 yrs old, very tame and friendly, however he stared picking on its feathers on his left side of his back about 6 months ago, I've brought him to the Avian vet twice got him antibiotics, it's not mites, but it just keeps getting worst...it's now spreading to his wing...... he also kind of cries or makes a sad noise when he picks at it. We take him out once or twice a day let him fly and walk around, I give him fresh veggies twice a day and seeds as well, he doesn't like fruit, we clean the cage twice a week and soak him head to toe...any idea what may be the cause or how to treat it, we feel so bad for him that we're ready to give him to someone that knows and breeds lovebirds but we really want to keep him.. please help......thanks Eva

Answer
Hi, Eva,

When parrots pick their feathers and its not a medical problem, it usually means it's a psychological problem.  Had there been any changes in your household when the picking problem started, such as a new person, someone leave that usually lives there, did you change the furniture around, paint, etc., does the bird have enough stimulating toys, do you now work when you didn't before, etc.?  You need to think back to when the problem started to try and figure out what may have changed.  Also, be sure your bird has enough toys for mental stimulation.  Have you changed the amount of time you spend with the bird?  Has the bird's diet changed?  Picking can also be due to dry skin...perhaps s/he's getting too many baths and the skin is too dry.  You might try using Bitter Apple or some other feather picking deterrant you can purchase online or at a pet shop.  Sometimes spraying a bird with Aloe Vera can help if dry skin is the problm.  I'm surprised the vet put the bird on antibiotics...did/does the bird have some type of bacterial infection/problem?  

Try some of the things I mentioned above and see if anything helps.  

Chrys