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 birdsAn investigation into acts of self-pleasure among parrots and other birds has reached a climax, with the results providing welcome relief for vets and researchers, not to mention the birds themselves.Bird keepers are often advised to discourage and even punish birds for masturbating, but the study found the activity was more common in the wild than in captivity, with researchers concluding it is part of a bird’s natural behaviour. Continue reading...