My african gray keeps bitting and pulling its feathers, what should I do?

Question

I have a african gray and it always tries to bite me when I feed it or when I open the cage to let roam around. It also pulls its' feathers out a lot. I was told they do this when they are nervous or scared. is there anyway to help calm the bird down and create a more relaxing environment for it? What should I do about the bitting?

Answer 1

Feather plucking is a serious problem. You have to get to the route of it. Is it diet? Do you feed it peanuts? Allergies? Dry skin, does it get daily baths WITHOUT soap or shampoo's? Left alone for long periods of time? Is it getting enough uninterrupted sleep time (10-12 hours in a covered cage, away from the hustle of the home, t.v, talking, etc. . .)? All these things are importnt factors. It may be biting because it's skin is irritated. If you can't figure it out, take it to a vet.

Answer 2

Many causes of plucking. Bored, annoyed, nervous, Some parasites, ect. The best bet is to take it to a vet if its serious. The only thing you can really do is take time and let the bird know you wont hurt it. I had one, Wild Caught, and it takes alot of time. If you think about it, if it does bite you, it doesnt hurt that much. Just remember it knows you are afraid. Try talking to it too.

Answer 3

Try getting your parrot a "buddy". It is a fuzzy little pocket looking thing that hangs in their cage. They can snuggle in or against it for comfort while in their cage alone. You can find them at Pet Smart and Petco. There is also a bird pacifier that looks like a tiny whisk broom it hangs from their cage and they pick at and groom it instead of plucking it's own feathers

Answer 4

My bird started this a couple of years ago and I took her to the vet to see what it could be. The vet said she was in perfect health and spirits so she deduced that it was a habit. First make sure your bird is healthy.

Answer 5

It's called "feather plucking" and you have to be sure it's not some disease first. They do this sometimes when they are bored or from stress.

http://www.parrothouse.com/jh3.html

http://www.2sistersaviary.com/articles/2asarticlefeatherpicking.htm

Answer 6

professor grey gives good advice. A very common cause of this is simply not enough attention or stress.

Answer 7

You need to take your bird to the vet.
If you need a vet, you can find one at http://aav.org/vet-lookup

Answer 8

MY DAD HAS AN AFRICAN GREY, THAT DOES THE SAME THING.
THE VET TOLD HIM THAT IT IS A NERVOUS HABIT,WHEN THEY ARE PLUCKERS.
HE BITES PEOPLE,ALSO.
I GUESS ITS JUST IN THEIR GENES TO BE THIS WAY.

Answer 9

a petstore has a spay you spray on him and he will stop doing it it is bitter tasting