CAUSATION AND INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT ON FEATHER PICKING OF THE CRIMSON-BELLIED CONURE (PYRRHURA-PERLATA-PERLATA)

This study examined the effect of environmental enrichment on feather picking in the crimson-bellied conure Pyrrhura perlata perlata. A tota l of 10 conures was observed, 8 of which showed minor to severe plumag e problems. In a pre enrichment period the conures were observed witho ut changes in the environment to assess their social behavior and acti vity patterns, in particular, feather picking behavior. Feather pickin g was self-inflicted; furthermore, conures with plumage problems spent more time on all comfort activities, including preening, and less tim e on flying and vocalization. In three successive periods, several enr ichment materials were tested to examine whether, and how environmenta l enrichment altered their behavior. The conures preferred natural and edible enrichment materials over less natural ones. Observed changes in activity patterns were an increase in locomotion and a decrease in preening behavior. However, no improvement of the plumage was visible during the weeks of observation. The results suggest that environmenta l enrichment was successful in altering the behavior of conures, but h ad only a stabilizing effect on existing plumage problems. (C) 1997 Wi ley-Liss, Inc.