Feather plucking in parrots and other companion birds is a common behavioural problem indicating significant psychological distress that requires expert intervention.
Feather plucking represents severe chronic stress or frustration in birds that cannot meet their complex behavioural needs in captivity. Prevention through appropriate flock housing, extensive foraging enrichment, and avoiding chronic stress is far preferable to treating established behaviour. The welfare implications of keeping highly social intelligent birds as solitary companions should be carefully considered before acquisition.