How Can I Get My Macaw Parrot to Stop Plucking?

Macaws are among the most beautiful and majestic species of parrots. Native to South and Central America, they are known for their long tails, brightly colored plumage and powerful hooked beaks. Like most parrots, macaws can sometimes develop feather-plucking behavior, in which they pull out their own feathers. Sometimes this damages the skin to the point that the feathers never grow back. Aside from cosmetic considerations, having plucked feathers can result in impaired flight, temperature regulation problems, skin diseases, and infections. Quick intervention is important in preventing permanent damage. The main causes of plucking are illness, stress and boredom.

Things You'll Need

  • Food Treats
  • Toys
  • Training Clicker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your macaw to a qualified avian veterinarian for a full health check. Feather-plucking can be the result of a wide range of health problems, ranging from easily treated to serious. Skin infections and irritations are a common medical cause of feather plucking, but this behavior can also arise from the bird's discomfort due to other medical issues. Problems like these can only be diagnosed by an animal health care professional.

    • 2

      Ensure that there is nothing in your macaw's immediate environment that is causing it stress. Stress is one of the common causes of feather-plucking; if your macaw's cage is near something that frightens it, this could cause plucking behavior. Make sure that other pets or small children are not frightening your macaw. Ensure that your macaw's cage is in a place where it can get enough sleep. Birds, like people, need a good night's rest, and being kept up late night after night by noise or light can result in neurotic behaviors like plucking. Make sure that you are using a big enough cage; some macaws are very large and need a lot of room; being cooped up in a tight space can easily cause stress.

    • 3

      Use enrichment strategies to improve your macaw's day-to-day life, to enable the bird to entertain itself and to avoid boredom. Give your macaw appropriate toys in its cage, including toys that can be chewed to bits, a favorite macaw pastime. Introduce new toys periodically, and rotate the old ones so that the parrot doesn't get bored. Give the macaw some foraging toys and puzzles that are challenging for it. Make sure that your bird has sufficient out-of-cage time and interaction with human companions. Use positive reinforcement, some treats for rewards, and a training clicker to teach your parrot some tricks. These will raise its self-esteem, keep it interested, and lessen stress levels.