5 Common Behavioural Problems in Pet Parrots

5 Common Behavioural Problems in Pet Parrots- And How to Fix Them

Having a pet parrot means introducing a whole bunch of joy into your household. It’s impossible not to love these feathery little guys. Almost all pets have a mischievous side and parrots are no exception. They can be quite naughty and it’s a part of their charm. Behavioural problems in parrots are common, but it’s possible to fix them successfully. In this post, we’re going to walk you through the most frequent behavioural problems in pet parrots and show you how to deal with them without too much hassle.

Biting  

Biting is one of the most prevalent behavioural problems in pets, parrots included. And, as you’re probably aware, a parrot’s bite can be quite painful. To solve this, it’s crucial to understand the causes that propel this attitude. Potential causes that make parrots bite include an insecure environment, feeling ill, inadequate diet, territorial behaviour, reacting to demands that cause anxiety, and copying the stress of the household. 

In other words, parrots bite when they feel threatened and insecure. They’re intelligent creatures who can sense the vibes in their environment, so negative energy can make them frustrated. All this is manifested through biting, especially when a parrot is ill.  

The foolproof way of fixing this problem is to identify the cause and eliminate it. You can also try the following: 

• Teach the parrot to step up on the stick. 
• Place the cage in a quiet, stress-free place in your home. 
• Take the parrot to the avian vet (especially if the bird continues to bite.) 
• Feed your bird a proper diet. 
• Buy toys or other accessories that your parrot may like. 

Screaming 

Many parrot owners report that their beloved pets keep screaming. This behaviour is common in birds, but it’s manageable. Reasons are numerous, including: 

• Boredom 
• Depression 
• Stress 
• Lack of exercise or sleep
• Inadequate diet 
• Chaotic environment 
• Fear or insecurity 

As already mentioned, parrots are incredibly intuitive, and they pick up on everything that’s happening in the environment. At the same time, an unhealthy lifestyle and poor nutrition can also lead to these problems. Parrot owners must ensure their pet is healthy and has a well-balanced diet, by feeding them proper food rich in nutrients.  

Other things you can do to support their health and wellbeing include: 

• Ensure your pet gets enough of exercise (get it out on the bird stand and train him to fly) 
• Make sure the parrot gets at least 12 hours of sleep per night 
• Teach the parrot to whistle or talk 
• Get toys and accessories so the parrot isn’t bored and depressed 
• Consider getting another parrot as a companion.  

Feather plucking  

When a parrot starts plucking its feathers, it’s a sign of a serious problem that cannot be ignored. The parrot will only start plucking feathers in cases of severe stress and depression. Illness such as feather disease can also be an underlying cause of this behaviour. Feather plucking may also occur due to environmental problems that you’ve overlooked or improper parrot husbandry standards. 

The first thing to do when the parrot is plucking feathers is to take the bird to the avian vet for a full exam. They will check for common diseases that may be causing the problem. You also need to determine what’s stressing the bird and resolve it. Get products that treat and nourish parrot’s feathers and promote skin health. Once you solve the root causes of this problem, the parrot will stop plucking feathers.

Overly territorial  

All animals are territorial and it’s perfectly natural. But if your parrot is being overly territorial then it's important to be proactive and solve it immediately.  

Parrots tend to be overly territorial due to hormonal reasons i.e. during the breeding season. They may also exhibit overly territorial behaviour when they’re not entirely happy with their owners.  One way to fix this problem is to bond with your parrot more. Improving your relationship with a parrot goes a long way and can eliminate stress and other negative vibes they feel.

Destructive behaviour 

Pet parrots often exhibit destructive behaviour by trying to ruin their cage, accessories, and toys. This type of behaviour is a clear sign that a bird is not happy with the environment. The other cause of destructive behaviour is the lack of mental stimulation.  

Bottom line 

Pet parrots can exhibit some behavioural problems but they’re easy to fix. The most important thing is to ensure a stress-free environment, mental stimulation, and a proper diet.

Kathrin volunteers at Global Advances in Health and Medicine, check it out here.