On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 22:32:32 +0000, Phil D. wrote:

> On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 11:18:12 +1300, Lee  wrote:
>
>>Hi all.
>>
>>I'm sure this has probably been asked several times before, but I have
>>done a search of this newsgroup and didn't come up with anything.
>>
>>I have a maroon bellied conure which strips her feathers from her
>>legs, back, and belly (basically wherever she could reach). I've
>>considered the idea of nutrition, the fact that it may be a normal female
>>thing to do at some point in their maturity etc, but it seems to have
>>become habit now and there's actually no real point to it that I can see.
>>
>>There's plenty for them to do in the cage, she's a happy bird, loves me,
>>and seems to have no other reason to pluck other than it's something to do
>>(despite that there is plenty to occupy them already - toys, food treats
>>etc). She's not eating the feathers (just pulls and drops them), so there
>>doesn't seem to be a deficiency issue.
>>
>>Any ideas anyone? Thanks in advance.
>
> Intelligent birds can suffer from the same mental illnesses that
> humans can. Your bird might be manic-depressive or
> obsessive-compulsive - parrots also apparently respond well to the
> same antidepressants and tranquilizers as mentally ill humans.
>
> I believe that there actually are bird psychiatrists - maybe you
> should ask your vet for a referral?
>
> On the other hand, she might just be lonely for another of her kind.
> Or want sex.


Thanks for that. It's given me additional things to think about.

Actually, she does have a mate, which may be part of the problem. It seems
to have started shortly after I got a mate for about 5 years ago. It's the
only think I can connect with why she might be doing it. She's got a new
mate now, but she's always been very close to me (although she's more
feisty now and I will be bitten occasionally - this behaviour seems to
have only started after getting her a mate, though I had been told once
she got a mate I'd be dumped altogether, so I am pleased that I am mostly
tolerated still).

Lee


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