feather picking

[thomaszambra]

My blue & gold macaw is starting to feather pick his tail has a few gaps and now he is starting to pick his wing feathers. I have got a spray but does not seem to be doing any good I also give him regular showers which he loves and he gets plenty of attention as he is out of his cage all day long. I am starting to get very worried about him can anyone help.

[Franciscus]

As with any unwanted behaviour it's best to not react causing it to become habitual. Make sure the bird has time to dry before going to bed after the showers therefore it's best to shower the bird in the morning, it's possible for fungus to grow on the feathers if they don't dry properly. Make sure he's getting 10 to 12 hours of dark, uninterupted sleep at night. The diet should consist of a variety of healthful vegetables and fruit such as Swiss chard, broccoli, red peppers, cooked sweetpotatoes, squash, and carrts, cantelope, melon, limited apples and grapes, along with a good quality pellet, nuts, and other cooked foods such as whole grian rice, lentils, beans, and other legumes, as well as some seed. It's possible the bird is plucking due to a health problem so it'd be best to have a full work-up done with an avian vet to determine that. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Franciscus]

I had not replied to your statement about the bird being out of his cage all day long. That may also be a problem as you should ensure that he has plenty of things to climb around on and chew up and play with. A large, at least 3"x4", cage well stocked with toys and such is better for a bird to play in than just a perch or two outside of a cage. It's not just a place to lock up the birds but they should be looked at as rooms for them to play in. That being said, he should still get plenty of time outside the cage, a well layed out playgym is best for that, along with instructional interaction and of course some cuddles.