how to get my bird to stop plucking his feathers?

There are two other possible medical causes for plucking:

1) liver ailment - treatable with Lactulose & milk thistle extract

2) food allergy (usually peanuts)

These problems cause them to have itchy skin and they pluck for the temporary relief it gives, when they run out of feathers they can escalate it to self mutilation.

Have your Grey seen by a good avian veterinarian asap to rule out a health issue. Stop giving him peanuts (if you have been doing so.) Only when these possible causes are ruled out, can you assume it is behavioural.

Common behavioural causes for plucking:

1) stress - being alone too often is very hard on parrots. They are social animals that congregate in flocks and sit together in family clans, preening, allo-preening (preening another bird), socializing, singing, "chatting," and calling to other groups. This is difficult to provide in a single bird home, but you can provide something by way of the "Birdsitter DVD" which is a looping video of parrots in an aviary setting. The birds on the TV talk, chatter, preen, and eat, which can give your bird the "company" he needs. You'll find the DVD available at many online parrot suppliers and even on Amazon.com.

2) bored - a bored bird, without sufficient destroyable toys will find destructive ways to use his beak (on himself). Providing a large variety of interesting looking and textured "toys" for him to play with and destroy, will help keep his beak busy and turn his attention away from feather destruction. Foraging behaviour may also be introduced to give your bird something useful to do when you can't be there. Foraging in the wild takes up 50% of a wild parrot's time, and this can be replicated in the home environment using many different methods. "Captive Foraging" is a DVD that explains how, where and why foraging is an important part of any parrot's life. You can view portions of the DVD on YouTube.com or purchase the DVD from any number of online resellers.

3) lonely - if a healthy bird is left alone too much, or left with other people he doesn't know or have a real relationship with, he may turn his anxiety into feather destruction. He wants and needs time with his owner, playing, being petted, talked to, and having fun with. In some cases, another bird (in another cage) is the right answer for the lonely parrot, but this should be carefully considered before taking on another parrot. You need to consider both birds' welfare.

4) frightened - some birds are particularly sensitive and easily frightened, and their cages have been inadvertently placed in the wrong location, making them feel vulnerable. Be sure that your parrot's cage is place against a solid wall, does not back onto any windows, is away from heavily trafficked areas, is not subject to loud music or other noises, and gives a good view of the room it is in. Occasionally, a new item in the room can set off a fear response. (I have a Grey that is scared to death of our vacuum cleaner.) Watch your bird's body language and see if he stares at any one thing in the room more than anything else. That object might seem very scary to him, taking the object away should confirm if this is the case. Bird's fears are not rational in our way of thinking, but are still valid.

To learn more about Greys, their care & feeding, please visit: http://www.anafricangrey.ca/

Stop Feather Plucking

There could be a variety of underlying problems. One being that the bird is sick. He might have mites that are making him itch. Also some African Greys are sometimes known to pluck their feathers. One thing I am wondering is do you have a big enough cage and does he have a variety of toys to play with? One reason a bird will pull out his feathers is that he is bored. If you do have a adequate amount of toys for him to play with you want to make sure that he only has a few at a time to play with and you want to rotate the toys he plays with on a weekly basis so he doesn't get bored with the same toys. Birds are Intelligent creatures and you must keep their minds stimulated. You can also go to your local pet store and buy a product called bitter apple that you can spray on him that will taste bad and hopefully deter him from the feather plucking. Good luck to you.

Have you had this bird for a while or did you just get him? When they start pulling feathers they are stressed over something.Have you moved his cage?My bird gets upset when things are changed.He has 11 different toys and a swing, put a new toy into his cage and he will not go to that side of the cage. If you just bought the bird, The shop that I deal with have all of their Grays on a tree perch.He may not be used to being in a cage all day.or like the other person said he may have mites if he was purchased at a large pet store.

Usually plucking is caused by either a health problem or boredom. Health problem could be mites or something else and would need an exotics veterinarians attention to diagnose and treat.

Otherwise his is either bored or lonely! Does he have plenty of toys? Do you rotate the toys that are in his cage on a daily basis? The same toys every single day are boring! Also maybe leaving him with a fresh treat made for parrots (or safe human food) could keep him busy. And make sure you spend time with him every single day! Does he enjoy sitting on your shoulder or just having you talk to him?

Your bird is bored or it has lice.

Try rearranging his cage and add more toys or buy some new ones and swap them over. Boredom causes them to pluck there own feathers.

Or if you can see him scratching him self a lot and plucking you may need to get some lice spray from the pet shop.

I have a Blue and Gold Macaw "SAM" she is really sweet. I have spent lots of money on vets and sprays and all that because of her plucking. I finally found this stuff call Pluck No More. You put some in the water they drink and mist them with it several times a day. She is getting much better and the vet approved it. the web site is www.kingscages.com Her personality is even improving give it a try it is a little costly but my Sam is worth it. Good Luck!