By Grace Bathery
Understanding the behavior of pets can lead to happier, healthier lives for our furry friends and even prevent medical emergencies. Just like other animals indicate emotional states and health issues through their behavior, birds communicate their wellbeing through different actions and sounds, says Grayson Doss, a clinical associate professor of zoological medicine at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine.
Doss, who serves as section head of UW Veterinary Care’s Special Species Health Service, shares common behaviors that can be a cause for concern and how to encourage positive bird behavior.
What bird behavior should be concerning to pet owners?
Any behaviors that are out of the ordinary are worth consulting a veterinarian about. A common one would be feather-destructive behavior, where birds begin damaging or pulling out their feathers. Lethargy, which can look like excessive sleepiness or a fluffed appearance, is an emergency in pet birds.
What do these behaviors mean?
Feather-destructive behavior can be related to underlying discomfort or can signal boredom or stress. Lethargy often indicates significant illness.
What can be done to address these behaviors?
A thorough exam with a veterinarian can help identify issues and some diagnostic tests can help look for an underlying medical condition that could be causing the abnormal behavior. Lethargic birds should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.
What behaviors should pet owners not worry about?
Behaviors like beak wiping, vocalizing, head bowing, chewing or destroying toys, or occasional wing flapping are normal behaviors in parrots. Some behaviors are species-specific, so educating yourself on what behaviors you can expect to see in your species of pet bird is very helpful. Birds can also regurgitate as a sign of affection, which can be alarming, and some parrots can rapidly constrict and dilate their pupils – which is called pinning and is completely normal.
How can positive behaviors be encouraged?
Operant conditioning focused on positive reinforcement goes a long way to help pet birds learn new skills. For example, offering a favorite treat after a bird steps up onto a perch to get a body weight reinforces that useful behavior.
UWVC’s expert clinicians, including our special species team, are here to help keep your animals happy and healthy. To schedule an appointment, call 608-263-7600.