Birds, like us, have several basic needs and it is our job to provide for these needs on order to promote their well being and to help them cope.  These include a proper social setting, shelter, freedom of movement, food and the ability to forage, control over their environment, and novelty.

Each species has some recognized behavior traits that will or will not make it a suitable pet in a particular setting.  One of the best examples is the Moluccan Cockatoo.  They require nearly constant attention on our part and this is both very demanding and rewarding.  They need a truly devoted owner who is willing to spend most of their time with the bird.

Without this, behavior problems are bound to arise and it would be best to consider this prior to bringing the bird into your home.  That is: what is the proper social setting for this species?  This includes not only its interaction with us, but also the environment surrounding the bird.  From its first human contact, a bird must be nurtured and comforted, educated as to its surroundings to create interest as well as allay its fears.

We must teach the bird so that it learns basic skills in order to satisfy its instincts (exploring, flying, foraging), as well as responses to our commands (up and down for instance), and appropriate ways of interacting with us and expressing its feelings. 

        We play an important role in helping the bird develop a sense of self so that it understands and is rewarded by its environment and its place within the flock (which is you and your family).  The learning process is life long whereby the bird is continuously challenged to learn new skills through the teaching of games and commands the bird can perform.  If we do not establish a proper social setting throughout the bird’s entire life it will result in the bird’s failure to cope and the emergence of behavior abnormalities.  In short, we must be good parents. The ideal situation would be to acquire a bird that has been parent raised the first few weeks of life, hand raised by a competent caregiver, weaned prior to its introduction into the home, and introduced into a proper social setting.  Compromises require added attention to satisfying their needs, but can be successful.

          Birds need shelter and security.  The former is easily provided within your home, although it is important to note that they are creatures of flight and for them the proper size cage is no cage at all.  We should give them as large a cage as possible, and they should be allowed outside of the cage as much as possible.  In doing so, we also satisfy another basic need, freedom of movement.  It may be beneficial to have a cage for daytime and another for bedtime.

        Birds are creatures of prey, and as such are vary wary of potential predators. Security is established in part by a proper social setting within the flock (you and your family).  Imagine yourself isolated on a perch surrounded by villains who may come at you unpredictably from any direction. Place the cage against a wall or barrier, so at least the bird does not have to worry about predators from that direction.  In addition, cage furnishings can provide something to hide behind and give an added sense of security.  Do not assume that the bird sees the dog and cat as friendly, and hanging the cage outside in the open can make a bird a nervous wreck.

        Of course birds need food, and it is very important they be given the opportunity to forage.  In the wild, birds spend a great deal of their day foraging for food.  So what is one of our friends supposed to do when offered one bowl of food it can finish in 15 minutes?  Screech, pace about, or pluck its feathers out?  By providing a variety of foods, not only can we provide a balanced diet, but when offered in a variety of locations in and outside the cage, we promote normal behaviors that help avoid boredom and give our feathered friend a rewarding job.  To enhance this, efforts should be made to make the bird work for some of its food.  For instance, small cages and toys are available to place food into, as well as skewers to hang chunks of food on.  Also of great importance, especially in juvenile birds, is the offering of food by hand as a bonding tool and as a reward for appropriate behavior or the performance of a command.

        Imagine if you had no choices about what to eat and where, where to play and with what, or where to rest, hide and sleep.  Imagine floundering with no direction in life because you have never been to school, do not understand your environment, and are chronically unemployed.  Imagine trying to interact with others without any grasp of social skills even though it is vital that you do so.  This is the life many pet birds are relegated to.  No wonder behavior problems are common amongst them. 

        It is only fair that we provide as much space as possible for our birds and allow them to be out of the cage as much as possible.  This gives them control of their environment via a freedom to choose.  Providing a variety of foods in a variety of locations enhances this freedom as does a multitude of toys and furnishings in and outside the cage.  Not only do these things give them some control, but it also keeps them interested in their environment.

        Birds are athletes and explorers.  Daily exercise is absolutely the simplest way to avoid behavior problems.  Early on, a pet bird should be encouraged to explore (with supervision) and allowed to satisfy their natural curiosity.  Far too many birds are afraid of new things and new places.  Playing games, running around, and yes flying are healthy activities.  When a bird has fully developed flight feathers (fledged), it should be allowed to fly and to land safely.  Once the bird has mastered these skills, then the wings can be gradually trimmed.

          We all know how dull life can be when we never encounter anything new.  Novelty is another of a bird’s basic needs we must pay attention to.  It is recommended that you rotate cage furnishings (both the furnishing and its local, including foods) and introduce new ones if they do not frighten the bird.  The same is true for toys.  The more the better in most cases and providing a box of toys to choose from can be a learning activity with regard to color choices and favorites.

          When these basic needs are not met or are compromised, birds are forced to cope to the best of their ability. Unfortunately, the same circumstances resulting in unsatisfied needs are usually responsible for the inability to acquire coping skills.  The end result is a behavior abnormality.

Behavior abnormalities can be manifest either as inactivity or as hyperactivity.  Hyperactive behaviors include repetitive or stereotypic behaviors such as feather plucking, self mutilation, screaming, bar biting, and compulsive water drinking.  Bare cages and small cages create and perpetuate stereotypic behaviors.  Hyperactive behaviors also include locomotor abnormalities like route tracing, weaving, rocking, tail chasing, and pivoting.  In all cases, the best course of action is to provide for the needs of our pet bird friends so we prevent these behavior abnormalities.

 The correction of behavior abnormalities requires that we avoid reinforcement of the circumstance that caused the behavior.  Obviously, it also requires that we provide for their needs in a comprehensive fashion.  Specific behavior modification techniques such as desensitization and reconditioning may be needed to help lessen or stop the behavior.  In some cases, efforts must be made to socialize a bird or to teach it commands and provide incentives (usually food) as a reward for appropriate behaviors and the performance of commands.  Drugs may be used to help combat a behavior problem but are only an aid to behavior techniques.  Drugs are not a substitute for behavior training since long term success can only be achieved by implementing the latter.  Whenever possible, efforts should be made to identify the cause and to diagnose the nature of the behavior abnormality.  In all cases, the prevention or correction of behavior abnormalities is a lifelong task and requires a willingness on our part to put forth the necessary effort.

Avian Psychology and Psychiatry is a very inexact science.  Most behavior “problems” are the result of the bird being a bird and not a dog, cat, or a person.  They are very social and communicative.  Our challenge is to provide the best environment we can to satisfy their needs, both physiologic and social.  We have to teach them what to trust and what to fear and teach them how to get what they want.   Failure to do so leave’s the bird with no option but to be a problem.

You may have questions that are not answered or a bird that is just driving you nuts.  For help on restoring the relationship with your bird, contact us.  Each case is unique.