How can you tell if a parrot is depressed?

Shauna Marie: How can you tell if a parrot is depressed?
I saw a parrot in the pet store today and he looked completely miserable.. So many of his feathers were gone and he kept bobbing his head up and down and walking back and forth. Is it normal for a parrot to lose its feathers? How can you tell if it is having a problem?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Haloinc
If it’s in a cage then yes.

Answer by Luis
if he starts asking for a gun or trying to kill himself hes prob a lil depressed

Answer by Isai A
the owner probably mistreats him 🙁

Answer by DC2B-Shan
By the sound of it.. the poor thing sounds like its got a problem. You should report it

Answer by Oliver
“Who’s a slightly attractive polly? ah why do I bother….”

Answer by RachelS165
From what I’ve heard, from friends who own birds, they will pull out their own feathers when they’re stressed-out, lonely and unhappy.

That sounds like one very miserable parrot with problems.

Answer by willow
Birds, since they naturally are in the wild, are very good at hiding any illnesses- The reason being so is because a predator will pick the onne that looks sick/weak, so they all have to “fib” a little. Any bird that actually looks sick is very sick.

The feathers were missing likely because he’s a feather plucker, which could occur from stress or boredom, likely a combination of both if he’s at the pet store. The bobbing of his head and walking back and forth is just for entertainment and a normal “bird” behavior- my parrot does the same thing, especially when someone is paying attention to him.

Answer by moggie2
INACTIVITY
CAGE TOO SMALL
NOT ENOUGH TOYS OR THINGS TO OCCUPY IT WITH
NO FRIEND
NOT ENOUGH EXERCISE

all adds up to a stressed bird that will pluck itself and have emotional behavioural issues

Answer by Somer
The bird is stressed because he has no feathers, is bored and depressed because of repetitive movements. I feel sorry for birds in pet stores.

Answer by █The Mysterious12▒
Birds pluck when they get really bored. It is a big problem. If parrots naturally lost their feathers, all they are doing is molting, but if it is plucking, then it needs to get entertained. I suggest you buy the bird to save its life! It needs lots of toys, and it needs to be taken out often and played with. These animals cannot be left in boredom.

Answer by Sissy
It’s in captivity, it’s worried, it’s probably sick and it’s going to die, it’s even going bald, poor thing. Don’t buy it.

Answer by xMuscleMilkx
the best bet is to throw sand in it’s eyes….