Ask Lafeber

Alternatives?

I tried again to put the collar on the bird and finally did it and it was perfect fit. However the bird went crazy about this and panicked. It tried to chew it off and fell from the perch several times attacking the collar. It can’t climb calmly and lied on its back desperately biting the collar. It’s no use because it will chew the collar off and hurt itself so I removed the collar. Are there alternatives to distract the bird? Like forage toys to prevent him preen his feathers excessively?

Hi Lillium,

That is how most bird react when first collared. It’s best to put the bird in a cardboard box with a towel on the bottom, and the top open, so that he can roll around and try to get the collar off without hurting himself. In some cases, the bird does get too stressed and you have to take it off. This is why it is usually done by a Vet, who knows at what point the bird is too stressed. Once they get used to it, they can get around, but perches do have to be moved down and you have to make sure he can get to food and water. He is fairly helpless since he can’t lift his wings for balance. Since this is a case where he is digging into his own skin, there is some medical cause – it isn’t a case of boredom or over grooming. I’m sorry I don’t have any suggestions other than Vet care.

Take care,

Brenda