it started out as my love bird losing her feathers, but now its gotten so bad! i tried to give her water and she submerged her head and started flapping her wings like she was drowning, and she just kept doing it over and over, so then i took the water away. & she started hitting her head on the cage and it was awful:( what can i do? have you seen / heard of this before?
If she is losing feathers it may be due to plucking them. Which would be because she is bored.
As for the water incident, that is very normal for birds to do. She is taking a bath, as for the last part I have no idea. If she is deprived of attention I can see why she may be that "frantic" acting.
add some toys in. clean her cage AT THE VERY LEAST once a week. put her in a lukewarm water filled sink with a wash cloth in so she doesnt slip. give her more attention. she may be hitting her head because of her beak. add in something like a cuttlebone, and keep her away from mirrors. when birds see themselves in mirrors they try to get to it because they think it is a mate.
She was most likely bathing. Mine does it like that too. Don't worry. My lovebird also bangs his beak on his cage or on ceiling fans especially (they are not on!). He is just trying to trim his beak or "explore". As for the feathers she might just be molting, but it is also possible she is bored,has a skin condition,etc. I would recommend you take her to a vet to get her checked out. They can tell you better than us. I hope she gets better:-)
Lovebirds are small but they are not beginner birds.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Lovebirds are also known to be plucker's.
Birds will pluck there feathers due to stress, boredom, poor diet or health problems.
The bird needs at least 1 hour of your attention per day.
Shredding or forging toys is a must and keeps the bird busy, avoid plastic toys unless its for forging.
http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_i…http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_i…http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_i…Never give the bird keys or metal, they usually have zinc or lead which is very toxic to birds.
A cuttlebone for calcium and also trims there beak
http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_i… pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
The sun gives vitamin D, they will need the sun to absorb the calcium.
Hang treat sticks to keep the bird busy.
http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_i…Get natural wood perches from petstores and not outside, unless you know what woods are safe outside.
http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_i…Straight and smooth perches make there feet sore.
Do not get sand perches, this makes there feet dry and does little to trim the nails.
Your bird was taking a bath!
They need to be misted or given baths every week or every few weeks.
Some birds will do it themselves, you can get her a bird bath.
http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_i…If she does it in her drinking water, get her a bottle.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com The water will need to be changed daily.
http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_i…There should be at least 3 toys in the cage. To many toys can stress the bird.
The cage should be big enough so the bird can spread her wings without hitting any toys.
The cage should not be near a busy door or hallway.
The best place is in the living room or where it is most active.
Do not put the cage near a window, even if its closed.
Don't put the bird next to loud noise.
Make sure the room is warm enough for the bird.
When your not at home, put the TV on a kids show or music that the bird likes. Not to loud though.
The birds diet should be seed, pellets, fruit and vegetables.
Was the bird actually "hitting" her head on the bars or just giving herself a scratch/preen?
When birds don't have another bird or human to preen there heads they will usually do it on the cage bars, toys, bowls..etc
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
If she was actually banging her head on the cage but is properly taken care of then there is something bothering her. Usually something painful. She might just be molting which can hurt if touched. Its best to take the bird to an "Avian vet" Its a vet for birds to be sure.
