Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Functional analysis and treatment of self-injurious feather plucking in a black vulture (Coragyps atratus).
- Journal:
- Journal of applied behavior analysis
- Year:
- 2019
- Authors:
- Morris, Kristen L & Slocum, Sarah K
- Affiliation:
- Rollins College.
Abstract
The etiology and maintenance of self-injurious feather plucking (FP) have been attributed to biological and environmental processes, yet a definitive solution has not been found. The current study investigated the application of a functional analysis and function-based treatment to reduce the FP of a black vulture (Coragyps atratus). FP was found to be maintained by positive reinforcement in the form of contingent attention. A treatment consisting of noncontingent reinforcement decreased FP, and levels of FP remained low during schedule thinning. The current study further demonstrates the validity of function-based assessment and treatment with captive animals.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31523815/