Emma the Cockatoo Plucking?

[salmetore]

We have had Emma the Goffin Cockatoo for 3 years, just recently she has started to pluck (I assume) when chewing her toys... She eats pellets on a daily basis, but does get a lot of human junkfood. Is there anything I can do about this behavior? Buying and rearranging toys in her cage doesnt seem to help.

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[Scott]

Welcome to you and Emma! She's beautiful and acts like the typical Goffin!

Not sure she is actually plucking, and the still image doesn't show significant damage. Some birds will "overgroom" but don't remove the feather from the skin.

Diet is crucial and a diet rich with vegetables and fruits is necessary for good health. Pellets are better than seeds, but junk food should be avoided or given extremely infrequently. If she does not bathe regularly, her feathers will retain dirt and may encourage aggressive grooming. Bathing can be in a regular shower, a faucet with fine spray, or plastic spray bottle.

I'll post a few helpful links. Let us know if you have further questions!

http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/52217-plucking-search-answers.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-...7-converting-parrots-healthier-diet-tips.html

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi welcome to you and Emma, she is lovely.

Please as Scott says no more junk food, you are shortening her life, same as us - makes sense doesnt it? She will also be more susceptible to illness and plucking. A good diet has proven to help our birds during times of high hormones.

Treats are OK and there are little bits of our food that they can have occasionally.

Some additional links for you, if you didnt know about junk food there are maybe others you are unaware of?

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/449-toxic-list-our-birds.html

You will find this one a mine of good info
http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Stop the junk food, make sure she is getting enough exercise to let out her energy, let her fly, maybe try some foraging toys, and give her more out of cage time with you.