Pionus Barbering?

[n0lan_i]

Hello everyone! I hope you all remain well. I have had an ongoing concern for my white-capped pionus, and was wondering if any of you might have some insight.

Jiminy is about 1 1/2 years old. He is fed a variety of vegetables, ZuPreem natural blend, Harrison pellets, and occasional fruits and nuts. I

Several months ago, I started noticing this consistent scratching behavior from him. I have videos up it but am unable to upload. He back-kicks his vent area with his feet a lot, accompanied with what seems like a swift, anxious pick at his secondary flight feathers on both sides. As time has gone by, he has increasingly caused damaged to these feathers. Please see photographs for reference. There is no other part of his body where he is plucking or barbering.
I have taken him to the vet a few times and had a fecal sample done. The vets don't have any major concerns, witnessed the behavior themself in person, and simply wrote it off as a "tick" that would possibly go away over time. I have not gotten bloodwork done but am wondering if I should. The vet said assured me that there was no major cause for concern but can do his bloodwork next time we visit to give me peace of mind.

Outside of this, he seems like a perfectly happy and healthy bird. He has a 32"x32" inch cage, a UV light, has plenty of toys, and is out whenever my partner and I are home. I work a hybrid job, so he is accompanied by someone a majority of the day. At a minimum when we're busy I make sure he gets at least 3-4 hours of 1:1 time after we're gone. He is a wonderful bird with minimal behavioral problems.

I am wondering if there is some kind of topical treatment I could try to break the habit? I've attempted to sprits him with Aloe Vera spray, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

Thank you all so much for any advice you can offer me!

 

[flwindsurf]

How often do you bathe Jiminy? I thoroughly soak my CAG 2-3 times a week with a spray bottle of only water. It helps her keep her feathers clean and softens emerging pin feather sheaths. My CAG shows no interest in bathing herself so I spray her. Hopefully it'll discourage barbering.

 

[n0lan_i]

How often do you bathe Jiminy? I thoroughly soak my CAG 2-3 times a week with a spray bottle of only water. It helps her keep her feathers clean and softens emerging pin feather sheaths. My CAG shows no interest in bathing herself so I spray her. Hopefully it'll discourage barbering.

Thanks for the reply! I take him in the shower with me whenever I'm able to see if he's interested, but he typically only fans his wings and lets me douse him 1 time a week. He's not a huge fan of spray bottles, but I'll keep trying!

 

[Nostromo]

Any other patterns to the behavior - like time of day, location etc? More likely when you're nearby or when he's on his own? Can he fly? Feather destruction behavior is very often hormonal, but can sometimes be health related. I'd have bloodwork done and then try reducing all hormonal triggers - maybe increase his veggies/fruits and decrease pellets slightly (just since they're a very calorie dense food), avoid any unnecessary touching, especially on the body or back, don't hand feed him much, never offer something from your mouth or that you've eaten, etc. Basically create a little healthy distance - you're friends and flockmates, not lovers, lol. Try to keep careful track of when the behavior occurs - location, time of day, what's going on just before the behavior. NEVER react to the behavior or try to interrupt it; you're only reinforcing it with any kind of attention or acknowledgement. Offer some fun shredding toys wherever it is that he does the behavior (my feather barbering ekkie likes rolls of toilet paper to shred).