Parrots masturbate too: New study finds it’s natural for both males and females and more common in parent-raised birds
Old Assumptions Are Being Shaken
For years, many experts believed that masturbation in birds, especially solitary pets such as parrots, was caused by unnatural living conditions. They considered this a harmful habit that required intervention to protect the bird’s health. The new study turns this idea on its head. Researchers found that masturbation occurred more frequently in wild birds and those raised by their own parents than in those hand-reared in captivity. This points to deep evolutionary roots rather than stress from human environments.
Key Findings from Bird Masturbation Research
The team gathered information from scientific papers as well as surveys and online communities of bird keepers and breeders. They looked at 22 large groups of birds spanning both wild and captive environments. Here are the highlights:
- Male birds masturbate more than females, but both sexes do so (55% for males, 36% for females).
- Youth and adults participate almost equally, at 100% and 97% respectively.
- Birds in captivity actually show lower rates than their wild counterparts.
- The behavior forms part of a wider range of natural sexual activities in birds.
These results suggest that masturbation has evolved as a healthy trait rather than a symptom of distress.
Why Is This Important For Bird Lovers?
The study has practical value for pet owners, breeders and conservation workers. Understanding these natural behaviors can lead to better welfare practices and higher success rates in breeding programs. Chloe Heys, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Lancashire, said in the study: “Despite assumptions that masturbation among captive birds such as parrots is often a result of their solitary existence, our study reveals that it is natural, healthy and common among different bird species, even in different environments.”
“By improving our biological understanding of this unusual trait, our research can provide greater clarity to owners, breeders and conservationists when birds in their care display this behaviour, highlighting that veterinary interventions that attempt to stop masturbation may actually cause further harm to birds. I hope our research may trigger a change in the current advice vets give to bird owners, ultimately improving animal welfare,” said Chloe.
Ana Basto, Veterinary Lecturer in Exotic and Wildlife Medicine at the University of Lancashire, added: “Although we are frequently consulted as veterinarians, there has historically been a lack of research into masturbation in birds such as parrots. This research is very important and will be a step towards a more holistic understanding of why and how birds behave. So I hope the findings will enable vets to provide more accurate advice to protect the welfare of birds, which remains a key priority for the global industry.”
Dr. Evolutionary biologist from Oxford University and co-author of the study. “This research adds to a vital and growing body of work highlighting that non-reproductive sexual behavior occurs not only in humans but also in the animal kingdom,” says Matilda Brindle.
“The fact that masturbation is more common in wild birds than in captivity has huge implications for their well-being, especially given that folk farming advises bird keepers to discourage or punish this behavior, sometimes even resorting to surgery and hormonal interventions. Masturbation is not a pathological or perverted consequence of being in captivity, but part of a healthy set of sexual behaviours.”
A New Look at Animal Behavior
This study, conducted by Chloe Heys from the University of Lancashire with co-authors from the universities of Swansea, Oxford and Liverpool, is the first major study of its kind. It opens the door to more informed conversations about bird care and welfare. The next time you notice unusual behavior in your pet bird, it may just be nature taking its course. Rather than rushing to stop something that could be completely normal, this research encourages a more relaxed, science-based approach. Bird enthusiasts and veterinarians may soon adopt gentler, evidence-based methods to support our feathered friends.
