Feather destructive behaviour in captive parrots and other birds is a complex welfare problem with psychological, environmental, and medical causes that requires careful investigation.
Feather destructive behaviour is a serious welfare indicator in captive birds, analogous to stereotypies in mammals. It signals profound unmet behavioral and social needs. Many captive parrots are expected to live with minimal social interaction and stimulation despite being highly intelligent, flock-living species with complex communication needs. Investigation must rule out medical causes (bacterial, fungal, or parasitic skin disease; nutritional deficiencies) before addressing behavioral factors. Behavioral treatment includes increased social time, foraging enrichment, housing in view of other birds, and sometimes avian behaviour specialists. Prevention through appropriate housing from the start is far more effective than treatment.