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Behavior change in an Amazon parrot

My 13 year-old Yellow-naped Amazon recently began behaving strangely. He constantly shakes himself then grabs at his tail, as though he has a bad itch. Also, he will not go into his cage at night (he's out all day). If we put him in, he starts shaking and climbs down to the floor of the cage and says there so now we leave the cage door open and have a night light for him. We brought him to our vet three days ago and he could find nothing wrong. Do you think this is something psychological?

I have no factual basis to form any opinion, based on the information provided. My best suggestions would be to return to your veterinarian, and either ask for a diagnosis to be established, or for referral / consultation with an expert qualified to deliver you the same.

You could have some sort of a physically painful condition that is influencing his behavior, toxic issue, neurologic condition, OR, possibly a behavioral problem that warrants more accurate diagnosis and address.

About Brian Speer, DVM

Avian veterinarian Dr. Brian Speer was raised in a small town on California’s coast. He received his BS in Biology from California Polytechnic State University in 1978, and his DVM degree from the University of California at Davis in 1983.

An active member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), Dr. Speer is a much sought after guest speaker and has presented at numerous conferences in the avicultural and zoological communities both within the United States and abroad. He is well published in the AAV annual proceedings, has served as guest editor for the journal Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, the Veterinary Clinics of North America, and authored chapters in several recent veterinary medical texts on pet bird, avicultural and ratite medical topics. In 1995 he co-authored the extensive avicultural reference, The Large Macaws, and helped to co-author Birds for Dummies in 1999.

Since 1989, Dr, Speer has run a “bird’s only” practice in the San Francisco Bay area and is the President and Director of The Medical Center for Birds. He is a consultant for The Veterinary Information Network (Avian Medical Boards) and the Maui Animal Rescue and Sanctuary. In 2003 he was the recipient of the Lafeber award for excellence in private practice of avian medicine and surgery and in 2006, was named Speaker of the Year for the North American Veterinary Conference.