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Chloe Heys

@chloeheys.bsky.social

Senior Lecturer in Biology at the University of Lancashire. Researcher in ecology, evolution and animal behaviour. Parrot and poultry enthusiast. Tea addict.

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by Chloe Heys

Joanna Bagniewska @joannabagniewska.com · 03/06/2026

🪶 Birds masturbate. 🦜 This is normal, and not (as often is believed) a maladaptive behaviour only found in captivity. 🍑 Pet bird owners - chill, and let your budgie have some fun. 🧪 Study of masturbation in 120 bird species, by @matildabrindle.bsky.social: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Yellow budgerigar, photo by Frances76 (Wikimedia Commons)

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Reposted by Chloe Heys

Oxford Biology @biology.ox.ac.uk · 01/06/2026

Masturbation in pet birds is natural and shouldn't be punished. A new study led by @unilancashire.bsky.social and coauthored by Oxford's @matildabrindle.bsky.social say vets and owners should be reassured that it is not the consequence of captivity, but common. Read more:

bit.ly

Masturbation in pet birds is natural and should not be punished

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Chloe Heys @chloeheys.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Birds masturbate, and that’s perfectly normal 🐦 Our piece in The Conversation is out now about our latest research, the evolution of masturbation in birds: theconversation.com/birds-mastur...

theconversation.com

Birds masturbate, and that’s perfectly normal

Some bird keepers have tried to drug their animals to stop them engaging in solo sex.

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Chloe Heys @chloeheys.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Birds masturbate? What?! Our research, published in Ecology and Evolution is out now, and featured today in The Guardian 🌟

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