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Causation and influence of environmental enrichment on feather picking of the crimson‐bellied conure ( Pyrrhura perlata perlata )
Author(s) -
van Hoek Caroline S.,
King Catherine E.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1997)16:2<161::aid-zoo6>3.0.co;2-8
Subject(s) - feather , plumage , biology , zoology , feather pecking , ecology
This study examined the effect of environmental enrichment on feather picking in the crimson‐bellied conure Pyrrhura perlata perlata. A total of 10 conures was observed, 8 of which showed minor to severe plumage problems. In a pre‐enrichment period the conures were observed without changes in the environment to assess their social behavior and activity patterns, in particular, feather picking behavior. Feather picking was self‐inflicted; furthermore, conures with plumage problems spent more time on all comfort activities, including preening, and less time on flying and vocalization. In three successive periods, several enrichment materials were tested to examine whether, and how environmental enrichment altered their behavior. The conures preferred natural and edible enrichment materials over less natural ones. Observed changes in activity patterns were an increase in locomotion and a decrease in preening behavior. However, no improvement of the plumage was visible during the weeks of observation. The results suggest that environmental enrichment was successful in altering the behavior of conures, but had only a stabilizing effect on existing plumage problems. Zoo Biol 16:161–172, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.