- Screaming. If your once-quiet bird now cranks at
decibels similar to a jet engine on takeoff roll,
it’s likely frustrated. New toys and other
distractions might quell the chaos a bit.
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- Biting and aggression. When you dare to walk
past the cage, do you hear the “thunk” of an angry
bird striking the bars in full attack mode? Do you
now buy bandages in the bulk size? “We can see
aggression toward people, other birds, animals, and
objects as a manifestation of sexual frustration,”
said Dr. Byron J.S. de la Navarre of the Animal
House of Chicago.
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- Chewing and gathering. Has it been weeks since
you’ve used your paper shredder because your parrot
now does the job? Feathering a nest is hard work,
but apparently those Victoria’s Secret catalogs make luxe linings when properly torn to bits.
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- Allofeeding. Humans take a date out to dinner.
Birds share their food through the slightly less
appealing manner of regurgitation. If your pet is
attempting to feed you, the cat, or a favorite toy,
he’s trying to be romantic. Conversely, if you
hand-feed your bird, that can be stimulating to the
bird. Foods that are sexually stimulating fall into
two groups: easily digested sugars, such as fruits
and corn, and high-fat food, such as seeds, nuts and
fried foods.
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- Feather plucking or chewing. Feather destruction
in birds is a complicated syndrome with many
possible causes, and is always best evaluated by a
veterinarian. However, if everything checks out
fine, it’s possibly a sign of sexual frustration.
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- Nesting and incubating. Some birds (male or
female) will actually create an imaginary nest and
incubate a surrogate egg. Usually this involves
dragging a toy or other appropriately sized object
into a food dish and sitting on it for hours on end.
Removing the object usually doesn’t help because the
bird will just find another. Be very cautious about
interfering with the “nest,” because your pet will
defend it vigorously.
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- Masturbation. Yes, birds do it. If your pet
attempts to perform a lap dance on your hand every
time you pick it up, it is displaying sexual
behavior. Do not react with anger or disgust, or the
rejected bird might lash out in frustration. On the
other hand, do not encourage the bird because you
think it’s cute or funny, because it might escalate
to biting and aggression.
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- Posturing and display. Peacocks aren’t the only
birds that strut their stuff when trying to impress
a mate. Parrots, especially male Amazons and
cockatoos, will stalk around with fanned tails and
ruffled neck feathers, grunting and growling in a
macho manner. Some male finches perform complicated
dances, and male canaries sing their hearts out.
Female birds usually crouch down, quiver, and stare
directly and longingly at the object of their
desire. There are exceptions: Some young or
submissive males will act like hens, and some very
bold females can out-macho the guys.
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- Soliciting and begging. A submissive yet sexual
bird will often ask for a “date” (see #4 above) by
crouching, quivering, and begging loudly for food
or, attention. It’s similar to the behavior shown by
chicks begging for food, but in a sexually mature
bird it is usually done with a different purpose in
mind.
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- Egg laying. Female cockatiels are the most
likely suspects here, but all female birds can, and
occasionally do, lay infertile eggs without the
benefit of male companionship. Some hens will
attempt to incubate the eggs, while others show
surprisingly little interest. It’s best to leave the
eggs with the female until she loses interest,
because removing them might stimulate her to lay
another clutch.
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| Another thing to keep in mind is that birds can
be sexually stimulated by the length of daylight.
After a period of short light (winter), the
lengthening day stimulates the hormones of
courtship. Birds that exhibit signs of sexual
frustration may benefit from shorter light exposure
times. |
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| “It’s always best to have the bird
evaluated to make sure there is not any underlying
medical condition,” said Dr. de la Navarre. “Then just
be patient. The hormonal period is somewhat seasonally
related, and with time will subside.” |
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| Reviewed by Dr. Greg J. Harrison,
DVM, Diplomat Emeritus American Board of Veterinary
Practitioners - Avian Practice |
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