Feather plucking
Together let’s enrich your parrot’s world and take their mind off their feathers
Consulting in Birmingham Wolverhampton Derby Stoke-on-Trent Solihull Burton-upon-Trent Dudley Halesowen Redditch Kidderminster Stafford Stourbridge Walsall Tamworth Lichfield West Bromwich Atherstone Aldridge Evesham Tipton Cannock Bromsgrove Smethwick Willenhall Oldbury Droitwich Spa Uttoxeter Rugeley Stone Stourport-on-Severn Brierley Hill Wednesbury Brownhills Alvechurch
Feather plucking in parrots is a deeply distressing issue, both for your pet and for you as an owner. It signals a manifestation of physical or emotional discomfort, potentially impacting your parrot’s overall wellbeing. As a parrot behaviourist, I empathise with the anxiety and helplessness you may feel witnessing your feathered companion engage in this self-harming behaviour. The issue is complex, often tied to an inability of the domestic environment to satisfy a parrot’s instinctual needs.
Here to help
Remember, this is not your fault, and you’re not alone. My role is to offer expert guidance, helping you identify the root causes and provide practical, effective solutions tailored to your parrot. Together, we can restore your bird’s health and happiness, bringing peace back into your home. Your parrot deserves a life full of joy and vibrant feathers, and I’m here to help you achieve your wishes.
“My cockatoo Kiwi’s feather plucking was heart-wrenching. Zoe provided practical solutions, filled with empathy. Gradually, Kiwi improved – happier, active, and her feathers returning. This challenging journey, eased with expert support, led to Kiwi’s rewarding transformation. I can’t recommend Second Nature Behaviour enough for struggling parrot owners.”
Zoe Demery
Clinical Parrot Behaviourist
I have a doctorate in parrot cognition and I am so far the only independently accredited clinical parrot behaviourist in the UK (CCAB). I am also a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society, registered with ABTC, and certified by IAABC as a parrot behaviour consultant.
I am a proud committee member of FAB Clinicians. I have given talks and published about these fascinating birds to a wide range of audiences around the world. Since starting practice in 2012, I have helped dozens of birds and their caregivers around the world better understand each other. I also mentor budding avian behaviourists.
Comprehensive support
- I visit you at your home in person or online, for an initial assessment generally lasting 2 hours and ideally, everyone in the household should be present.
- I take a full and detailed case history. Together we work out a treatment plan that is realistic and tailored to you and your flock’s needs.
- You receive relevant information sheets, which tie in with the behaviour plan for your bird.
- Soon after the consultation, a report is sent to you, which is later copied to your vet. This outlines the reasons behind the problem and highlights the key steps of the plan.
- Your vet is kept informed of how your bird progresses.
- Plans are updated with new material for you to work on.
- We schedule one 1-hour follow-up session about a month later, which is conducted via an online video link.
- We are available for optional weekly check-ins for 6 weeks after your initial consultation. Each week you can book a 15-minute call through our online calendar, or send us an email or WhatsApp message.
- If during the development of the case, the additional expertise of a veterinary behaviourist is required, then I integrate their advice into the plan. I work closely with select, independently accredited avian vet behaviourists, who will review and discuss your parrot’s case with your vet.
- More follow-up support available as needed.
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Mango’s story
Mango, a playful Sun Conure, started showing signs of distress by repeatively picking at his feathers. His owner, Emily, together with Mango’s vet ruled out possible skin disease and hormonal factors, then they sought my help.
By evaluating Mango’s habitat, diet, and daily routine, we pinpointed potential stressors and nutritional deficiencies. A comprehensive plan was put in place, involving improved diet, stimulating toys, training plan and a consistent routine to minimise stress. Progress was slow but steady, with Emily’s unwavering commitment playing a crucial role.
Over time, Mango showed noticeable improvements – he interacted more with his toys, his spirits lifted, and feather plucking decreased. In three months, the transformation was evident – Mango’s feathers started growing back, his vocalisations increased, reflecting a happier bird. Mango’s journey demonstrates the impact of patient, informed care.
Next steps
1. Vet referral
Feather plucking often goes hand-in-hand with medical issues, so we need to address these first
3. History form
Give us some background about your bird and how the plucking started
4. Consultation
Let’s get started on the plan to getting your bird’s plumage back
Recommended
by vets
you may be able to
claim on insurance
As an avian vet, I’ve observed significant improvements in parrots guided by Zoe’s advice. Her approach is tailored, understanding avian needs and behaviours. The resulting changes in my patients’ overall health and happiness are remarkable. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to any parrot owners facing behavioural challenges with their companion birds.”
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FAQ
Have a more general question? Check out our general FAQ.
Prefer to chat things through a bit more?
Contact Me!
Give us a buzz by email or phone
(+44) (0) 121 299 0188.
Can I just get some quick advice about my parrot? It’s not a very big problem.
Parrots are very complex for such little creatures. They’re very intelligent and social animals that require a lot to keep them busy. Even small behaviour issues can turn out to be at the root of something greater, so they take a while to resolve. Unfortunately, we do not offer telephone or email consultations, but you can certainly come along to one of our clinics if you don’t want a full home visit consultation. It is not necessary to bring your parrot to the clinic, but please bring with you all the recordings requested. If following your questionnaire, our behaviourists think a more in-depth investigation is required, we will let you know before your appointment. Also, have a look at our general enrichment service.
My parrot isn’t registered with any vets – what should I do?
It is still very important to obtain a referral from a vet, but it should be from an avian vet, or you can look for vets advertising exotic pet care. In the Birmingham area, you could consider Amicus Vets in Solihull, or the Manor Vets branch in Edgbaston.
If you are looking to make your parrot’s feather destruction a thing of the past, contact me to get started.
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