Parrotlet Plucking

Question
Hi, I have been given a Parrotlet.  He loves people and being out of his cage.  When I got him he had already been to the vet about the plucking.  She said it was caused by sexual frustration and he needed to be seperated from his partner.  They have been seperated for about 2 months now.  They also are no longer in the same house as the original owner gave the male to me.  He is the sweetest character but I am worried about the plucking.  I can see where there are pins coming in and the green feathers are coming in and I can also see where there are tail feathers now.  He is about 9 months old.  Do you have any idea why he is going this and how I can stop this? When I got him he was covered in down feathers but now he has pulled a lot of those out but there are the green feathers coming in instead.  I don't know anything about birds and I am kind of learning as I go along with him.  Please let me know if you have any ideas.  Thank you in advance!  Lisa  

Answer
Hi Lisa, birds are not easy pets to take care of.  Self mutilation can be caused by sexual frustration, anxiety/stress, environmental changes, or maybe mites.  Parrotlets usually do better in pairs. I would have your Vet check him for mites first.  If none, then just give him as much attention as possible so he does not become bored.  Give him new toys in his cage as often as possible, and make sure he is getting the right diet.  Not very many seeds.  Pellets are much better.  If he continues to do this after you have had him for several months or if he begins to make himself bleed, he will need either an elizabethan coller for a while or maybe a mild tranquilizer to alleviate anxiety.  Some molting is normal, excessive continuous plucking is not.