Bird separation anxiety is a neurological distress response exhibited by some birds when they are left alone or separated from the person or people to whom they are most attached. Bird separation anxiety should not be lightly dismissed as something the bird will “get over.” Examining the causes of bird separation anxiety and working to alleviate it will be well worth the effort, for both you and your bird.
As with many other species, bird separation anxiety is more often seen in very young or very old birds. Birds in their middle years do not as readily tend to display this problem. One cause for a bird in its middle years to display bird separation anxiety is when he has a recurrence of it from a younger age. This age discrepancy may be due to the fact that older and younger birds are more reliant on their human companions than birds in their middle years.
Bird separation anxiety may be exhibited by one or more of the following signs: • Distress vocalization or excessive screaming • Destructive behavior • Hyper-attachment • Lack of appetite • Inactivity or lethargy • Attempts to escape from the cage These signs can range in severity from mild to severe, and most often are manifested in a very brief time frame after the bird is left alone. This time factor can distinguish destructive behavior, for example, that is due to separation anxiety from similar behavior due to boredom.
Several factors can contribute to bird separation anxiety. One of the chief causes is early and traumatic separation from the mother or from human companions. This is often the case with birds that are bred and sold before they are fully weaned, or birds that are abandoned at animal shelters or rescue organizations. Major changes in daily routines, such as a move, new baby, or other significant change can also trigger bird separation anxiety.
Treatments for bird separation anxiety can vary depending on the severity of the problem. For many birds, increased training to reinforce good behavior in the absence of human companions may be sufficient. Some birds require gradual desensitization regarding the departure of their human companions. Leave the bird for a very short period; when you return, praise him lavishly for staying quiet after you had left the room. Gradually increase the length of time you are out of the room, each time praising him upon your return if he was able to stay quiet or calm himself quickly after your departure. Introducing some sort of novel toy, especially one that contains treats that require work on the part of the bird, can be an effective distraction. The key to this is making sure the toy is truly appealing to the bird, and only introducing it when the bird is alone. In some cases, anti-anxiety medication may be needed to treat bird separation anxiety.
