What Causes Lovebirds To Pluck Their Feathers?

Why do lovebirds pluck their feathers?

The phenomenon of feather plucking is common and widespread in the bird community, especially domestic ones, but the good thing is that it can be reduced, controlled, or even stopped completely, before it becomes a habit for birds, but the question that arises here, is why ? The bird commits such a harmful act to itself, and the answer is in the following points:

Biological and health needs

A bird that feels sick and tired may be forced to pluck its feathers to express its care for itself, and to alleviate the effects of this illness and pain. There may be irritation or sensitivity in its skin, which prompts it to remove and pluck its feathers. It is best to notice this condition in the bird; Take him directly to a veterinarian to examine him, as he may be suffering from a fungal or bacterial infection.

Among the health reasons that prompt a bird to pluck its feathers are:

Folliculitis: The feather follicles themselves become red and irritated, causing itching in the bird that prompts it to pluck the damaged feathers.

Dermatitis itself: As mentioned previously, it is one of the causes of skin infections, such as bacteria and fungi. This also includes exposure to toxic substances such as cigarette smoke, or the transmission of parasites and lice. The skin can also be extremely dry, causing it to become inflamed and then plucked.

Beak and feather disease (PBFD): It is a viral disease that kills feather cells, causing them to fall out randomly, resembling plucking.

Hormonal problem.

Feather sac: This is a common problem as the feather sac does not open as it grows and remains closed, which is similar to hair growing under the skin in humans.

Kidney and liver diseases.

Social needs

What is meant here is the bird’s needs for activities, play and fun, such that it feels very bored, and there is no exercise, or anyone to make it happy and entertain it, so it plucks its feathers as an indication of its annoyance and frustration, which may also be sexual frustration, without the presence of a partner to entertain it and fill its time.

Nutritional needs

If the bird does not get the food it needs, which keeps it in good health, it may begin to lose its feathers randomly, until its owner thinks that he is the one plucking its feathers, but the truth is that they are falling out from several different places, so the bird begins to feel weak and weak, and here it is necessary to provide Healthy food for him, including grains, fruits, and vegetables, to restore his health.

Feather changing season

The lovebird goes through a feather-molding season twice a year, during which it begins to change its feathers, and the old ones fall out, and the roots of the new ones begin to appear underneath, which may confuse new animal keepers, but it is normal, but it must be known that natural feather shedding occurs equally throughout From all sides, the new feathers are visible as soon as the old ones fall off, so the bird’s skin is not exposed.

Environmental reasons

It is possible for a bird to pluck its feathers because it is exposed to an unpleasant weather condition that it cannot tolerate, such as high temperature, high humidity, or severe discomfort such as being exposed to sunlight all the time, or not getting enough sleep, or not having good ventilation in the place. His presence.