Abnormal Behvior in Parrots Study

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I found an excellent article about abnormal parrot behavior such as compulsive disorders. Studies were conducted by Purdue University and University of California at Davis researchers.

This is a must read.

"The bird doing loop-the-loops in the cage and pulling out its feathers is not just playing and preening. Stress may cause these activities and also may provide insight into similar human behaviors, according to researchers."

http://news.uns.purdue.edu/html4ever/2005/051221.Garner.parrots.html

[bonnie]

I glanced over it. Looks very interesting. I'll have to really sit and read it tonight when I get home. Thanks Larry.

[Birdlover]

Thanks for the link Larry. That was very interesting... lots to think about here. I so wish that I had a bigger house with a room that I could design specifically for my birds. There are many things here I would like to change.

[too&me]

We are always learning more & I think that there is still so much we don't know. Thank you Larry.

[Evelyn]

I found an excellent article about abnormal parrot behavior such as compulsive disorders. Studies were conducted by Purdue University and University of California at Davis researchers.

This is a must read.

"The bird doing loop-the-loops in the cage and pulling out its feathers is not just playing and preening. Stress may cause these activities and also may provide insight into similar human behaviors, according to researchers."

http://news.uns.purdue.edu/html4ever/2005/051221.Garner.parrots.html



Thanks, Larry. That was very informative.

I'm surprised people are surprised when parrots exhibit abnormal behavior. We take them from their natural habitats (meaning more than wild-caught birds) and put them in an abnormal environment. The wonder is that they are not more neurotic than they are.

I'm not even sure we know what normal behavior is, since our caged birds have never lived in their normal environment.

Birds ought not to be caged, but we are stuck with the situation we have now. We can't turn them loose--they would die horrible deaths.

I think it was Bill or Don who said we have a responsibility to do the best by them that we can.

I've bought two babies. The rest of my birds have been rehomes; and while I love those babies, I never stop feeling guilty about it.

Evelyn

[bonnie]

Thanks, Larry. That was very informative.

I'm surprised people are surprised when parrots exhibit abnormal behavior. We take them from their natural habitats (meaning more than wild-caught birds) and put them in an abnormal environment. The wonder is that they are not more neurotic than they are.

I'm not even sure we know what normal behavior is, since our caged birds have never lived in their normal environment.

Birds ought not to be caged, but we are stuck with the situation we have now. We can't turn them loose--they would die horrible deaths.

I think it was Bill or Don who said we have a responsibility to do the best by them that we can.

I've bought two babies. The rest of my birds have been rehomes; and while I love those babies, I never stop feeling guilty about it.

Evelyn

It surprises me as well, I can't believe how people think sometimes.
Don't feel guilty Evelyn, if it weren't you taking good care of them who knows where they would be, most likely needing to be rescued. It is a sad situation that we have... They enrich our lives, but at the same time it's hard to think of what we are depriving them of.

[Evelyn]

It surprises me as well, I can't believe how people think sometimes.
Don't feel guilty Evelyn, if it weren't you taking good care of them who knows where they would be, most likely needing to be rescued. It is a sad situation that we have... They enrich our lives, but at the same time it's hard to think of what we are depriving them of.


Thanks, Bonnie.

I guess the best we can do is do the best we can for them.

I have never had children (3 miscarriages), altho I have 6 stepchildren whom I adore. But I like to think that I love the birds (and all my animals) as though they were children. I don't mean dressing them up (altho that is cure if the bird doesn't hate it) and talking babytalk to them, but thinking about what is best for them and doing whatever it takes for their well-being, and even being a little glad when the babies become more independent.

Of course, the two things I don't have to worry about are them leaving home and paying for college. :)

Evelyn

[bonnie]

That is one of the best things about Chicken. I've ALWAYS wanted children. We are not at a point in our lives where that is possible with my schooling and our goals. Before Chicken I would have weeks where I was super depressed because I didn't have a child. I have always had the need to take care of someone/thing that needs me and Chicken definitely fills a void I'd have if he wasn't there...

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

That is one of the best things about Chicken. I've ALWAYS wanted children. We are not at a point in our lives where that is possible with my schooling and our goals. Before Chicken I would have weeks where I was super depressed because I didn't have a child. I have always had the need to take care of someone/thing that needs me and Chicken definitely fills a void I'd have if he wasn't there...

And then there are the people like me that have already done the children thing, took the empty nest thing too far and filled up with more "children". lol

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

[quote=Larry, Baby and Me;10967]I found an excellent article about abnormal parrot behavior such as compulsive disorders. Studies were conducted by Purdue University and University of California at Davis researchers.

This is a must read.

"The bird doing loop-the-loops in the cage and pulling out its feathers is not just playing and preening. Stress may cause these activities and also may provide insight into similar human behaviors, according to researchers."

http://news.uns.purdue.edu/html4ever/2005/051221.Garner.parrots.html[/quote

Larry, That was so interesting. Thanks. I love the idea that parrots and people are, in a way, working together on a solution to a problem they have in common. Gives one so much to think about.

[Chrissy and Flock]

Thanks, Bonnie.

Of course, the two things I don't have to worry about are them leaving home and paying for college. :)

Evelyn

They don't ask to borrow the car either....:haha:

[EasySpirit]

Now I don't want anyone going thinking a bird doing a loop de loop is neurotic. Even in the wild you may see a cockatoo do this. I have a couple that do it as fun, attention getting, trick. My other birds (macaws, conures, cags) do not do this.

If the loops are done all the time then it can be neurotic. You see similar behavior in dogs that are kept in a single dog enclosure in pet stores,,,they do circleing...it is a neurotic behavior. But it can be worked with. This is one of the times I use an extinguishing behavior technique. The dog I worked with was a rescue Schipperkee which are notorious for developing this behavior. As the dog cirles click behavior...then treat. Each time he does it, click and treat. ONce he gets the idea give the behavior a name and click and treat. Next step is no treat if he initiates the behavior on his own, only when you give the command. The next step is not to give the command...extinguished behavior.

This can be done with birds that run to a shoulder. My birds are only allowed on my shoulder if I give a command. There are a few that NO WAY EVER would they be allowed on my shoulder. Extinquishing a behavior is not a technique to be used for everything. Some things are taught as replacement behaviors. This is where a good trainiing book or magazine is helpful so we understand how behaviors work.

me:hihihi: