health
Masturbation among birds is ‘natural’ and should not be punished, say experts
Study finds activity is not harmful or caused by stress of captivity – and is in fact more common in wild birds
TL;DR
- Masturbation is a natural and healthy behavior in birds, not a negative response to captivity.
- The activity is more common in wild birds than in captivity across 120 species.
- Vets should not intervene unless there's a chronic problem; drastic measures like surgery are unnecessary and harmful.
- The study surveyed bird experts and online communities, combining their accounts with scientific literature.
- Both male and female birds engage in this behavior, often rubbing on perches, toys, or even owners.
- This research provides a step towards a more holistic understanding of bird behavior.