Straining may occur frequently in birds that have a pair-bonded relationship with their owner, in which the bird sees you as more of a mate than a member of its flock. This pair-bond relationship is reinforced when the interactions between you and your bird are of a pair-bond enriching type, rather than those of general flock interactions. Pair-bond enriching interactions include lengthy or constantly repeated allopreening (petting, stroking or grooming your bird) or other closely interactive activities. A continuously reinforced pair-bonded relationship between owner and bird can function in many circumstances as an undesired signal to the bird that breeding activity – and the hormones and behaviors that come with it, are justified.
The reproductively stimulated pet parrot is potentially vulnerable to a wide variety of problems. Many of these problems are initially manifested behaviorally; they may include normal behaviors in an unacceptable or undesired setting such as territoriality, aggression, abnormal vocalization, feather damaging behaviors and masturbation. If not addressed properly, they can lead to more serious medical or behavioral complications. One of these complications is cloacal prolapse. Others include chronically recurring egg- laying, osteoporosis, weight loss, muscle weakness, bone weakness and fractures, egg-binding, egg yolk peritonitis and internal ovulation, oviduct torsion or impaction, and even possibly the sterna mutilation syndrome of cockatoos and the foot mutilation syndromes seen in Amazon parrots.
General actions that need to be pursued to alter the nature of a reproductive pair-bonded relationship between owner and pet bird are outlined below:
- Reinforce basic training for your bird (step-up, etc)
- Decrease pair-bond reinforcement interactions. Avoid ALL behaviorwhich can be construed as sexual (petting, stroking, cuddling, feeding by mouth). By altering the nature of when and how you interact with your bird, the signal sent can be a healthier, flock-based one, and a lot more fun in more ways than you can imagine!
- Enhance social interaction – on a flock basis. It is not realistic to simply stop interacting with your bird in the manner that it is accustomed – it is important to replace those pair-bonding interactions with normal flock ones. Lots of them.
- Standardize the diet and decrease pair-bond reinforcement types of feeding. A lower energy diet and a manner of eating that does not stimulate regurgitative feeding is important to send a signal to your bird that reproductive activity is not desired or appropriate.
- Follow-up! Regular communication and follow-up evaluations with your veterinarian are essential. Behavior does not usually change after one single action plan is set. Things change, and we need to change and adjust, too.