Bird behavior problems

Snickers is a regular squawker, but lately she's been really pumping up the volume. You're cleaning Napoleon's cage, and he tries to take a bite out of your finger. Every time you check on Charlie, he's obsessively biting himself, plucking out and pulling on his feathers.

If any of the above scenarios sounds familiar, your bird may have a behavioral problem. As a responsible avian caretaker, it's up to you to figure out what's bugging your bird, and to determine the steps you must take to fix it.

Check with your veterinarian about negative bird behavior

The first order of business is to bring your pet to the veterinarian to rule out a medical problem. Compulsive feather picking and excessive loss of feathers, for example, can be caused by hypothyroidism, parasites, and bacterial and fungal infections. And a pet who's in pain may be more apt to bite.

Causes for bad bird behaviors

Raging hormones are also responsible for many negative behaviors in birds, notably increased vocalizations and unexpected biting. These problems may begin to occur when a bird approaches sexual maturity, which is about four years old for the larger species of parrots, and as early as 12 months for smaller guys like budgies. During breeding season, your bird may try to mate with one of his toys, or even your finger. Both males and females are extremely sensitive during this time, so be extra understanding and gentle with your pet. Patience is an asset here, but these phases usually pass after several weeks.

If an animal's negative behaviors cannot be attributed to a medical or hormonal condition, the causes are most often psychological. Stress and boredom are, in fact, the number-one reasons for bad behavior in companion birds. Remember that in the wild, birds live in huge flocks and fly many miles a day. They also bond with a mate. If these needs are not somehow addressed in captivity, a bird will become stressed, bored or very unhappy.

Are you showing your pet enough attention? Birds form strong bonds with their caretakers, and will become extremely upset if time with their favorite human is cut. We've also heard of instances of a bird biting his owner when another person entered the room. It may be hard to understand, but this is often the bird's way of saying he wants his owner all to himself! Keep in mind that a little extra time with an unhappy bird can go a long way.

Does your bird have a partner? If your pet lives by himself and if you can't give him all the attention he needs, one solution may be to get him a cage buddy. Another bird nearby, in the same room, can also fulfill this need.

Does your bird get enough exercise? Toys can really keep a companion avian mentally stimulated and physically fit, and help redirect destructive tendencies. Offer your bird a wide variety of toys, and make sure they're appropriate for his species. Give your guy some clean, untreated non-toxic branches, large pine cones, or cardboard boxes for the sole purpose of ripping them up and chewing them apart! You may also be able to combat bird boredom by leaving on a radio or television while you're out.

Have there been any changes in your bird's environment? These guys are extremely sensitive to any disruption in routine, and a visitor to your home, a new cage or a new pet can bring on a bout of misbehaving.

Treatments for aggressive bird behavior

You may have heard that some avian behavioral problems can be treated with mood-modifying drugs, but truly effective treatment must address the underlying causes. In some instances, it may be necessary to consult a professional avian behaviorist. Contact your veterinarian, breeder or bird club for a referral. Fixing the problem may take time and patience, but your bird's worth it.