Bird masturbation appears natural across 120 species, challenging long-held veterinary advice

Bird masturbation appears natural across 120 species, challenging long-held veterinary advice Sadie Harley Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Lead Editor New research has found that masturbation among bird species, including parrots, is natural, despite prevailing assumptions that it is a harmful behavior in response to environmental factors. Published in Ecology and Evolution, the study is the first of its kind, and challenges current approaches among vets and animal practitioners. Masturbation has previously been thought to be caused by unnatural captive living conditions and is a damaging behavior that requires veterinary interventions, including dietary adjustments, drug and hormonal therapy, and in some extreme cases, even surgery. Led by Chloe Heys at the University of Lancashire, the study compiled data from the scientific literature, as well as utilizing a wealth of data from bird keepers and breeders via surveys and online communities. Data was collected on 120 bird species across 22 major bird groups, both captive and wild. Shedding light on the evolutionary origins of this behavior by exploring why masturbation has evolved, the study found that it is widespread among bird species, forming part of a broader repertoire of sexual behaviors exhibited in birds. This is coupled with findings that masturbation is more prevalent in wild birds and those which are reared by their parents (as opposed to humans). The research also found that although male birds masturbate more than females, both sexes partake in the behavior—55% of male records involved masturbation compared to 36% of female records. Both juveniles and adults were also found to be almost equally likely to masturbate (100% and 97% respectively), and notably, captive birds were also less likely to than wild birds. It also evidences that masturbation is an important evolutionary behavior rather than a harmful sexual behavior caused by unnatural captive living conditions. This has important practical implications for improving animal welfare alongside potential benefits to improve the success of breeding programs and conservation efforts, through increasing our understanding of complex mating behaviors in birds. The study was co-authored by Kevin Arbuckle at Swansea University, Matilda Brindle at the University of Oxford and Tom Price from the University of Liverpool. Chloe Heys, Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Lancashire, said, "Despite assumptions that masturbation among captive birds like parrots is a result of their often-solitary living, our study finds that it is natural, healthy, and widespread across diverse bird species, even in different environments. "Through enhancing our biological understanding of this unusual trait, our research can give owners, breeders and conservationists more clarity if birds in their care display this behavior, by highlighting that veterinary interventions trying to stop masturbation may actually be causing more harm to birds. I hope that our research can trigger a shift in the current advice that vets give to bird owners and ultimately improve animal welfare." Ana Basto, Veterinary Lecturer in Exotic and Wildlife Medicine at the University of Lancashire, added, "There has historically been a lack of research around masturbation in birds like parrots, despite how we're frequently consulted on it as vets. "This research is pivotal and will be a step towards achieving a more holistic understanding of why and how birds behave the way they do. I hope the findings therefore enable vets to give more accurate advice to protect birds' welfare, which remains our key priority across the industry." Publication details Chloe Heys et al, The Evolution of Masturbation in Birds, Ecology and Evolution (2026). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.73693 Journal information: Ecology and Evolution Provided by University of Lancashire