You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Behavioural problems are very common in cage birds and the signs must be differentiated from diseases.

Cage birds are very popular pets, but even if they are bred in captivity they retain the instinctive behaviour typical of wild birds. The most popular pets , small psittacines such as Budgerigars and Canaries, are social birds that live in flocks, and they are naturally wary of environmental changes around them . They are easily frightened by loud noises, they are very sensitive to gases and they do not like sudden major changes in routine or food. They like and need company and social interaction with other birds is important otherwise they may start to exhibit displacement behaviour ...abnormal behaviour when presented with a certain situation.

In birds behavioural patterns are established very early in life, and young birds develop social attachments through a process called imprinting. In the absence of other birds, this behavioural  imprinting will be influenced by other in-contacts -  the owner, or even inanimate objects such as reflections in mirrors, toys and so on. 

The following Table lists some of the most common behavioural problems, possible causes, signs and some solutions :

 

Problem	Signs	Solutions
Aggression - towards birds It is normal for birds kept together to fight to establish a "pecking-order" hierarchy in the flock	Dominance can lead to bullying and the bird lower in the pecking order may develop Neurosis (see above) Male birds are sometimes aggressive towards young fledglings, and so they should be separated from the nest about a week before they chicks are due to hatch	If dominant behaviour continues beyond the establishment of a hierarchy the birds should be separated
Aggression - towards people Displaced social behaviour ...the bird tries to dominate the owner OR Inadequate training to get the bird used to being handled	Biting Nipping Aggression	Train the bird to be used to being handled . Gradually increase time of contact until bird not frightened. Avoid sudden movements or noises. Reward bird with a food treat if it accepts stroking Attempt to re-train the bird Punishment at the time of the behaviour - periods of up to 15 minutes in a dark place; verbal chastisement; squirt with water pistol Reward for good behaviour - food  treats Lower perches to below waist level, so the owner is always above the head of the bird Use a water  pistol to deter attacks Try to get the bird used to all family members, otherwise it may bond with only one and attack others
Boredom - one of the most common causes of behavioural problem. Boredom may be due to : No companionship - no other bird, lack of attention from the owner. Being kept in solitude is especially harmful for Budgerigars and Cockatiels. Lack of toys Lack of a changing view, eg positioned in a corner where 2/3 sides are walls that do not change Permanent confinement in a small cage Inability to exercise sufficiently	Self-mutilation Feather-plucking or chewing Biting - nails, toes Screeching - larger Parrots Anorexia - loss of appetite Weight loss	Owner could spend more time with the bird Introduce a companion bird - can be counter-productive as the second bird may learn the vice of the first ! Add more interactive toys into the birds environment Move the cage to a position where the bird can look out of the window, or move the cage around regularly so that the scenery changes Train the bird so that it can be let out of its cage frequently Encourage to bird to take regular exercise - walking if not flying Increase the size of cage Liven up the interior of the cage by adding branches with bark for the bird to pack at. Hide small amounts of food in the environment to encourage the bird to look for them
Continuous Egg Laying	Abnormally large numbers of eggs are produced  . Usually seen in female birds kept alone (especially Budgerigars and Cockatiels)	Leave one egg in the nest to encourage the bird to brood rather than produce more eggs Reduce food (energy) intake Reduce owner contact with the bird as the problem may be linked to owner-bird bonding
Neurosis - abnormal behavioural patterns due the bird adapting abnormally to its environment. Neurosis can be triggered by many factors including : Confinement in a small cage Exposure to loud noises eg shouting The presence of other (threatening) pets eg other birds (within sight or hearing), or predatory cats Lack of privacy Lack of exercise Fear Excessive exposure to "daylight hours" due to artificial lighting in homes Bullying by a dominant bird	Repetitive movements : Continual hopping from perch to perch Head bobbing - up and down  Head weaving - figure of eight rotation Head shaking Self-mutilation Feather-plucking or chewing Biting - nails, toes Obesity - due to psychologically-induced overeating Aggression Anorexia - loss of appetite Weight loss Infertility	The cage should be big enough for the bird to fly If possible the bird should be trained so that it can be allowed out of its cage frequently The bird should be kept in a quiet room, and not be exposed to loud noises Ideally more than one bird should be kept together. If this is not possible other pets should be kept away, out of sight and out of hearing All birds should be provided with a confined, dark area where it can hide when stressed. All birds should take exercise - walking if not flying Liven up the interior of the cage by adding branches with bark for the bird to pack at. Hide small amounts of food in the environment to encourage the bird to look for them Cover birds cage during the evening when the family are still awake Applying an Elizabethan collar - prevents further mutilation.. Leave on for up to 10 weeks while feathers re-grow
Malnutrition	Poor general condition Poor feathers Loss of feathers Poor body weight	Ensure the bird is being fed adequate amounts of a COMPLETE ration containing sufficient energy and all the nutrients that it needs Seek veterinary attention in case the bird has a disease that is affecting normal digestion of food
Poor Husbandry	Excessive grooming leading to feather damage and self-mutilation	Treat ectoparasites Allow bird to take regular water baths Spray plumage to wash accumulated dust off feathers and skin
Screeching A problem especially in larger Parrots. May be due to : Natural behaviour - at first daylight or at dusk Wanting to attract attention Communication calls to owner or other birds Stress - environmental change	Screeching	Feed to displace behaviour just before dawn or dusk DO NOT respond to screechers that are trying to attract attention, as this will reinforce the behaviour. Even shouting can be regarded as a reward by the bird.  Ignor the bird Cover the cage with a heavy blanket until the screeching stops.  Aversion therapy - spraying with a water pistol may help to deter the behaviour. Remove other birds from sight or hearing Restore environmental conditions
Self-mutilation : Feather chewing Feather plucking Biting toes Biting nails Anorexia - loss of appetite Weight loss NB Feather loss may be normal ...with behavioural problems the feathers shed are damaged	Boredom Neurosis Poor nutrition Poor husbandry - lack of basic care Hormonal problems Infection of the feather follicles Bacteria Fungi Ectoparasites eg mites (Rare)	Seek veterinary advice Treat underlying problem (see rest of Table) Hormone treatment if indicated Antibiotics if indicated Anti-fungal agents if indicated Anti-parasiticides if indicated Improve nutrition Change environment Improve basis care and husbandry
Displaced Sexual Behaviour	Regurgitation of food over objects. Usually seen in male birds kept alone (especially Amazons, Budgerigars and Macaws)	Remove the object that the bird has "bonded" with eg the mirror or toys..

Updated October 2013