What Are Bird Stress Bars?

Parrot Feather Stress Bars

Revised April 24, 2022

We love our birds for a couple of reasons. One thing we appreciate about them is their gorgeous feathers. Healthy feathers are shiny, vivid and at times almost iridescent. But, you may notice your bird having dark, unsightly lines across the width of their feathers and wonder whats going on. In this post, I'll tell you all about bird stress bars.Ā 

What are 3 facts about feathers?

Our exotic pet birds have the most unusual coat. Feathers.

Birds have specialized feather follicles, which help control how their feathers lay at any point in time. In most birds, these follicles are hidden away beneath the feathers. The muscles in these follicles can force the feathers to stand out at any angle and change in that angle very quickly.

The ability to move each and every feather at will gives birds lots of flexibility with their feathers, which not only support flight and serve as a form of communication, but also attract a mate. Actually, the brighter and bolder the color, the more likely a potential mate will take notice.

When you think about feathers, imagine them as being almost a super power. They act as a raincoat, sunblock, a winter jacket, armor from harm, and as a fashion statement all in one.

You may be starting to see feathers as the ultimate in protection, beauty and sexual ornamental quality. Feathers are a defense against the harshness of the weather, thorns, and insects. They're liquid-repelling, camouflaging, and help attractive, flashy-plumed birds attract mates.

Birds replace worn out and damaged feathers frequently. This process is called molting. Most of our pet birds molt in a symmetrical, staggered manner. Molts typically occur once a year, but some species molt more often. Growing new feathers requires optimal nutrition and environmental wellness.

What do stress bars on birds look like?

Molting and new feather growth is stressful enough. But, what if your bird has other physical or emotional stressors? That can really add stress to your pet's molting process. You might notice a crack-like line forming at the base of each barb on the single feather.

Feather Structure

Image from Cornell Labs

As part of their feather-growing process, if your bird experiences stress, its body will naturally draw nutrients from new feather growth to ā€œfeedā€ other vital body organs. When this happens, different parts of the feather structure, and most importantly, the barbules, don't develop. That is exactly where the birdā€™s stress bar appears.

The entire feather is now markedly degraded by this point. First, moisture can now chill the bird and the feather begins to lose its insulation properties. Second, the feather is in a very real danger of snapping apart.

Broken, tattered feathers tells potential mates that this particular bird is sick.Ā  They don't appear healthy.

What experts say about feather plucking birds

Poor feather condition is often the first sign that something is wrong with your bird.


When you notice stress bars on your birds feathers, it's a sign something is amiss and you need to get to the bottom of it. Without the appropriate care, stress bars can make a bird feel insecure and it can also lead toĀ skin damage and feather plucking behavior.Ā Ā 

Severe bird stress bars

Image from Merck Veterinary ManualĀ 

What causes stress bars?

Stress bars can be caused by many things: a lack of nutritious food while growing feathers, stress from the environment, or even a lack of proper bird care. Identify whether your bird is experiencing any of these things by taking a close look at the 6 Dimensions of Avian Wellness.Ā  Learn more about The 6 Dimensions Of Bird Wellness.

How do you treat stress bars with feathers?

Once the damage to the new feather is done, it can't be undone. The unsightly feather will be there until the next molt. It would be inhumane to pull or otherwise remove the feather and that would just add to your birds stress.

To avoid a permanent unsightly mark on your birdā€™s feather, you should take steps to prevent stress bars before the next molt. By optimizing your bird's health with the 6 dimensions of avian wellness you are vastly decreasing the chance of irregular feather growth in the first place.

Ā 

6 dimensions of parrot wellness

Your feathered friend needs to be in top shape all year long to grow beautiful feathers!

How do you help a stressed bird?

If the damage is limited to one or two feathers, you shouldnā€™t be too overly concerned. But, if the damage is moderate to extensive and multiple feathers are being damaged, you may want to have your vet check out your pet. You want to get to the root of the problem.

The most important investment you can make for your bird is to keep them happy and healthy. Avian and Exotic Veterinarians have about 10 years of highly-specialized health care training to detect and treat various medical disorders.

What experts say about feather plucking birds

Remember. Birds need to be treated like birds.

But our sensitive birds can get stressed out from lack of attention to their wellness needs. Remember, birds need to be treated like birds. They are not mammals or children. They are exotic pets with very unique care needs. Keep in mind that studying up on and implementing avian wellness needs will do no harm to your bird and will pave the way for prevention of things getting worse.

So, all in all, if you're seeing bird stress bars, take action.Ā 

  1. Consult with an Avian or Exotic Vet to rule out a medical problem.
  2. Do your best to optimize avian wellness in all 6 dimensions.
  3. Work with a bird behaviorist to discover what is stressing your bird out.

Related Posts:

Understanding Bird Stress and How To Calm Your Bird Down

5 Essential Ways To Reduce Bird StressĀ 

Compare Parrot Calming Aids

6 Tips For Using Calming Bird MedicineĀ 

6 Essential Dimensions Of Parrot Wellness You Need To Boost TodayĀ Ā 

The Ultimate Guide To Molting Birds

7 Simple Steps To Take Right Now To Help Your Molting Parrot

References:

https://www.herebird.com/feather-stress-bars/

https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/

https://www.treehugger.com/amazing-facts-about-feathers-4863989

https://academy.allaboutbirds.org/feathers-article/

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/bird-owners/disorders-and-diseases-of-birds/skin-and-feather-disorders-of-pet-birds?query=feather

Diane Burroughs, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist trained in ABA therapy techniques. She specializes in avian anxiety disorders and is certified in Nutrition For Mental Health. Diane has written a number of bird behavior books and she offers behavior consultations. She's developed a range of UnRuffledRx Science-backed Parrot Wellness Supplies.

Diane's products have been featured in the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery and at Exoticscon, a conference for exotic pet veterinarians. Her bird collars & supplements are stocked in avian vet clinics and bird stores throughout the US. With over 30 years in the field of behavior, Diane has created thousands of successful individualized behavior plans that help pets thrive.

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