This, of course, is because the bird cannot reach its head feathers. The one notable exception to this is the bird whose feathers are picked by a cage mate. As mentioned, birds caged together often engage in mutual preening. This behavior can become obsessive and destructive, resulting in feather picking. Causes of Feather Picking There are both medical and non-medical causes for feather picking.
Feather picking is generally a problem of birds in captivity.
Wild birds do not feather pick because they are too preoccupied with their own survival and with reproduction. This stress often results in obsessive, introverted behavior, manifested by feather picking. It is helpful to understand that feather picking represents one extreme of the feather care and maintenance continuum. Feather Care and Maintenance Continuum Inadequate Feather Care and Maintenance Normal Feather Care and Maintenance Obsessive, Excessive damage to feathers No Preening Normal Preening Feather Picking In the middle of this continuum is normal feather care and maintenance, represented by normal preening. To the left is the complete absence of feather care and maintenance, most commonly seen with domestic, hand-raised birds.