Feather Plucking

Feather plucking can be a problem with some birds. In severe cases, the bird may remove so many of its own feathers that it creates a serious health risk, exposing itself to infections and diseases.

While feather plucking is sometimes caused by a medical condition such as tapeworms, it is often brought about simply by boredom. A bird that plucks its feathers excessively should first be taken to a veterinarian to check for any underlying medical problem. Once a physical cause has been ruled out, the feather plucking can often be relieved by introducing more stimulation into the bird's life, such as new toys, a different cage or a more varied diet.

Rope is a recommended toy material for feather pluckers, because they will groom the rope instead of themselves.