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Once it
has been determined that there is not an obvious organic problem
requiring address, the REAL job of behavioral modification and
enhancement begins. In general, the more acute the problem, the better
the odds of success. The parrot that has been pulling its feathers for
ten years is not a good candidate, prognostically, to return to normal
plumage. The real focus, in spite of the apparent and heartbreaking
feather damage, needs to be on the behavior and the mind of the bird,
NOT the plumage.
q Take
the time to assure that perceived stability and security are present in
this bird’s lifestyle at home. Fear from interacting with humans and
fear of falling due to inadequate perching materials or an inappropriate
wing trim can lead to displacement feather damaging behaviors. Seek to
rule out: and/or eliminate these types of factors should they be
present.
q Try
to identify triggering events or sequences of events that have a role in
the manifestation of feather damaging behavior. A bird that only damages
its feathers when you are present, when you are absent, or when other
environmental changes occur is giving us clues that should be
investigated. Should there be identifiable triggers, then the real work
can start:
q Why
do these events cause such a displacement stress behavior?
q What
can be done to teach the bird to accept some of these things?
q Should
this bird learn to accept all of those triggering environmental events?
q Fortify
basic training. Deficits in the basics make it challenging to
effectively enrich and guide more normal behaviors.
q Enhance
“normal” feather care through gentle misting, and also by providing
other items that can be groomed in addition to your bird’s feathers.
q Enrich
and enhance social interaction – in a proper manner. Correct social
interaction that is engaging, stimulating, and changing is essential for
mental health and well being.
q Enrich
and enhance foraging activities. Some of these activities can be
combined with others in your presence, and others should be encouraged
in your absence. TEACH the bird to do these things.
q Assume
nothing beyond the likelihood that your bird is unfamiliar or even
afraid of these new things!
q If
there is a reproductively-pair bonded interaction present between one
person and the bird, work to alter this towards a more normal flock and
social interaction. For every pair bond enrichment behavior you are
working to decrease, there should be several new interactive behaviors
that the bird is being taught to do that can fill the void. Leave no
behavioral voids by removing activities or interaction without effective
replacement with others or enhancement of existing behaviors!
q Remember
to keep your focus on the mind and lifestyle of your pet bird – not the
feathers. They are merely a distraction from what you really are working
on! A changing, expanding and improving mind, augmented behavioral
interactions with and without you present, is the goal. A decrease in
feather damaging behavior hopefully the result.
q Work
most aggressively to balance the lifestyle of your bird by focusing on
social interaction and foraging behaviors, predominately.
q Follow-up.
Regular communication and follow-up evaluations are essential. Behavior
does not usually change perfectly after one single action plan is set.
Things change, and we need to change with them if we are to optimize our
probability of success.
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