Birds can get sick just like humans and other animals. When birds are sick, they often exhibit changes in behavior and appearance that can signal to bird owners and bird watchers that something may be wrong. Being able to recognize when a bird is under the weather is an important part of providing proper care.
Changes in Energy Level
One of the most noticeable signs that a bird is sick is a change in its energy level. A sick bird will often appear lethargic and lose interest in normal activities. For example, a sick bird may sleep more than usual or stop playing with its toys. The bird may spend more time sitting on its perch puffed up or just seem generally fatigued and low energy. Birds are normally quite active, so a lack of energy or appetite frequently indicates illness.
Changes in Appearance
In addition to acting tired, a sick bird’s appearance may change as well. Ruffled, messy feathers may indicate that the bird does not feel well enough to preen and groom itself properly. Drooping wings can also signal fatigue or weakness. Discharge from the eyes or nostrils is another symptom of illness in birds. The area around a sick bird’s vent may become soiled from diarrhea. All of these physical changes are signs an owner should look out for.
Lack of Singing or Vocalizations
Most birds are quite vocal and will chirp, whistle, or talk regularly. A sick bird often becomes much quieter than normal. It may stop singing entirely or only make occasional soft chirping sounds. The lack of normal vocalizations is frequently an early symptom of illness in pet birds. Birds feeling poorly tend to be more subdued and withdrawn.
Increased Aggression or Irritability
While some sick birds become very quiet and lethargic, others may show an increase in aggressive behaviors. An ill bird that is normally quite tame or friendly may begin biting or lunging when its owner tries to interact with it. This irritability and aggressiveness can signal that the bird feels unwell. Birds are prey animals, so they instinctively hide signs of weakness to avoid becoming targeted. An ill bird may become temperamental or nippy in an instinctive effort to disguise its sickness from potential predators.
Loss of Balance or Coordination
Birds rely on excellent coordination and balance for flying and climbing. A sick bird may have difficulty perching or seem clumsy and unsteady. It may fall off its perch or have trouble maintaining balance while standing. Neurological problems, muscle weakness, and dizziness can all cause a lack of coordination. Owners should watch for any sudden clumsiness or trouble with balancing and perching in pet birds.
Change in Droppings
A bird owner should always monitor their pet’s droppings for any changes. Diarrhea indicated by watery, abnormally frequent, green, or foul-smelling droppings can signal illness. Droppings with blood or an unusual color can also occur. Lack of droppings may indicate the bird is not eating or digesting properly. Any major shifts in the bird’s typical droppings are cause for concern. Owners should learn what is normal for their bird’s daily waste so they can recognize problematic changes.
Fluffed Up Feathers
Birds fluff out their feathers to retain body heat when they feel cold. While some fluffing is normal, a bird that remains puffed up for long periods may be chilled due to illness. Seeming unable to get warm enough can indicate a fever or infection. Pet birds should be active and alert with smooth feathers in their home environment. Prolonged fluffing up of the feathers frequently signals sickness.
Loss of Appetite
Prey animals instinctively attempt to conceal when they are feeling ill or weak. Because of this, a noticeable loss of appetite is often a late symptom in birds. When a normally hungry and energetic bird refuses food or treats, it is cause for serious concern. Lack of appetite usually indicates the bird is quite unwell. Owners should monitor any decrease in their pet’s eating habits very closely.
Self-Neglect
Grooming and cleaning their feathers is critically important for birds’ health and comfort. A sick bird will often neglect its normal grooming routine. Ruffled, dirty, or damaged feathers are common signs of illness in pet birds. The unkempt appearance results when the bird does not feel well enough to care for its plumage. Any indication that the bird is no longer grooming or maintaining its feathers properly requires attention from a vet.
Increased Sleeping
While all birds need adequate rest, a dramatic spike in sleeping can signal a health problem. Birds tend to sleep in bursts multiple times per day rather than long stretches overnight. A sick bird may spend hours napping in just one spot instead of taking short sleep breaks throughout the day. Increased lethargy and decreased activity paired with extra resting are problematic indicators requiring a vet visit.
Trembling or Shivering
A bird that is shaking or shivering consistently may be ill. Just like fluffing the feathers, trembling is sometimes a short-term reaction to feeling chilled. However, persistent shuddering or shivering frequently indicates a fever. Birds’ average body temperature is higher than humans, ranging from 100-110° F depending on species. Sustained trembling often coincides with a fever from infection in pet birds.
Wheezing or Labored Breathing
Respiratory infections are common in birds and can become very serious. Owners should watch closely for any signs of wheezing, strained breathing, gaping beak, or tail bobbing. These symptoms occur when illness makes it difficult for the bird to breathe normally. The slight rise and fall of a bird’s tail as it breathes is normal at rest. Excessive tail bobbing signals increased effort and distress when breathing.
Going to the Bottom of the Cage
In the wild, sick birds behave in ways to avoid appearing vulnerable to predators. One way pet birds demonstrate illness is by spending time at the bottom of the cage instead of on a perch. By clinging to or hiding on the cage floor, the bird attempts to disguise its weakness. Healthy birds will primarily perch elevated in their enclosure. Spending excessive time on the cage bottom warrants an exam.
Interacting With Other Birds
Birds are social and flock together naturally. However, a sick bird will often isolate itself from the group. It may reject interaction with other birds or people to conceal vulnerability. While some alone time is normal, a pet bird should still socialize regularly. Hiding away or lack of interest in spending time with flock mates can indicate illness in social bird species.
Head Tucked Under Wing
When birds feel ill, they conserve energy and seek comfort by tucking their head beneath a wing while standing or perching. Some light tucking while resting is common, especially at night. However, a bird that constantly rests with its head and neck covered by a wing during the daytime may be sick. The unusual posture helps stabilize an unwell bird but signals an underlying health problem.
Change in Personality
Birds have distinct personalities that owners come to know well. When illness strikes, a pronounced shift in typical temperament can occur. Previously playful birds may become withdrawn and quiet. Mellow birds can act uncharacteristically aggressive. These abnormal changes in personality often hint that something is wrong medically. Owners should be alert for atypical behavior.
Plucking Feathers
Some obsessive feather plucking is normal, but excessive plucking or self-mutilation of the skin can indicate illness. Possible causes include behavioral issues like stress or boredom as well as medical problems like infections, parasites, and skin irritations. Determining what drives the excessive self-barbering requires an exam. Quickly resolving the problem is essential since plucking can lead to wounds.
What Causes Birds To Get Sick?
Many different factors can make a bird unwell. Some common causes of illness in pet birds include:
– Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections
– Parasites such as mites or intestinal worms
– Nutritional deficiencies
– Toxins from air pollution, food, or household cleaners
– Metabolic disorders like liver or kidney disease
– Trauma or injuries
– Tumors or cancer
Stress and inadequate care also negatively impact immunity and health. In domestic birds, diseases are often preventable with proper nutrition, a clean environment, and regular vet visits. However, pet birds still require observant owners to identify signs of illness early when problems do develop. Knowing common bird health issues helps owners recognize symptoms that warrant a trip to the avian vet.
Common Bird Diseases
Below are some frequent illnesses seen in pet birds:
Psittacosis – Also called parrot fever. This serious bacterial infection causes diarrhea, breathing problems, and lethargy. Certain parrots are carriers. It is zoonotic meaning it can spread to humans.
Aspergillosis – A fungal infection often occurring in the respiratory tract. It leads to difficulty breathing, discharge, and loss of appetite.
Avian influenza – Highly contagious viral disease. Some forms are zoonotic. Often fatal in birds with severe symptoms. Strict biosecurity is required to prevent outbreaks.
Chlamydiosis – Bacterial infection that typically impacts the respiratory and digestive systems. Known as parrot fever or psittacosis.
Viral Conjunctivitis – Contagious viral infection causing ocular discharge, eye swelling, and sinus congestion in birds.
Bumblefoot – Painful bacterial or fungal infection of the bird’s foot pads. Causes swelling, lesions, and may affect ambulation.
Intestinal parasites – Worms, coccidia, and giardia can infect the intestinal tracts of birds leading to diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition.
Lipomas – Benign fatty tumors often appearing on the body or organs of older birds. May grow large enough to impair mobility or organ function.
Gout – Condition caused by excess uric acid buildup in joints. Leads to painful deposits and swelling, often in feet. More common in male birds.
Egg binding – Serious, potentially fatal condition in female birds where an egg gets stuck during egg laying. Requires emergency veterinary treatment.
Marek’s disease – Highly contagious viral disease causing neuropathy and organ damage. Primarily affects the digestive and respiratory systems. Very common in chickens.
Liver disease – Liver enlargement, injury, or infection. May be caused by diet, toxins, bacterial infection, or cancer. Leads to internal damage, bleeding, and loss of liver function.
Feather destructive behavior – Damage to the plumage from excessive self-barbering and feather plucking due to stress, parasites, poor environment, or other problems.
Knowing the most common medical issues companion birds experience allows owners to monitor their pets closely and seek timely veterinary care when issues arise before conditions become severe or fatal.
How to Comfort a Sick Bird
When owners notice a bird acting ill, they will need to take steps to make it as comfortable as possible while also seeking proper veterinary treatment. Below are some tips for comforting a sick bird:
– Keep the bird warm using a heating pad, lamp, or incubator set to around 85°F. Chilled birds cannot fight illness well.
– Ensure easy access to food and water. Lower perches or hand/syringe feed if needed. Hydration is critical when sick.
– Limit stress and activity. Provide a quiet space away from other pets and children. Avoid traveling or disturbances.
– Monitor droppings for signs of improvement or worsening condition. Save samples to show the avian vet.
– Weigh bird daily. Weight loss indicates worsening illness and need for additional medications or intervention.
– Control paramites and sanitize environment to prevent spread of infection. Disinfect food/water containers thoroughly.
– Avoid overhandling or excessive restraint. Let the bird choose to interact when feeling up to it. Force can further stress the bird and exacerbate illness.
With supportive care at home and proper diagnosis and treatment from an avian vet, many sick birds can go on to make a full recovery and return to their normal happy, active selves. While seeing a pet ill is always concerning, attentive owners who act quickly and enlist veterinary expertise often have good outcomes nursing birds back to health. With time, patience, and care, pet birds can bounce back well when sickness strikes.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
Bird owners should have an established relationship with an avian veterinarian before an urgent need for care arises. That way the vet already knows the bird’s history when health concerns develop. At the first signs of illness, owners should contact their vet for triage and guidance on next steps. Birds are extremely skilled at masking symptoms, so subtle changes in behavior or appetite should not be ignored. It is always better to have a bird examined sooner rather than waiting until more overt emergency symptoms appear.
Certain signs of illness require emergency veterinary treatment:
– Difficulty breathing – open mouth, tail bobbing, noisy breaths
– Loss of mobility – inability to fly, walk, grip, or perch
– Bleeding from nostrils, mouth, vent
– Head tilt, lack of balance, or stumbling
– Severe diarrhea or vomiting
– Seizures or collapse
– Visible trauma or wounds
If a sick bird exhibits any of these more critical symptoms, owners should seek emergency vet care right away as delayed treatment risks the bird’s life. For less severe initial symptoms, birds should still be evaluated within 24 hours by an avian vet. Catching health problems early vastly improves the chances of effective treatment and full recovery. Birds are prey animals that instinctively hide illness, so acting fast when symptoms first manifest is key regardless of severity level. Establishing a health baseline for a bird when it is well allows owners to better assess when changes warrant medical intervention. Any significant, sustained changes in a bird’s normal behavior, appearance, or droppings justify a prompt vet visit. Birds’ health can deteriorate rapidly, so swift action gives the best opportunity for recovery.
Preventing Bird Illness
While not every case of sickness can be avoided, there are many steps bird owners can take to keep their pets healthy and prevent disease:
– Feed a complete, pelleted diet without excessive treats, seeds, or table scraps
– Clean food and water containers daily
– Frequently replace soiled cage lining and clean/disinfect cage weekly
– Avoid overcrowding birds in enclosures or aviaries
– Isolate any new birds for 30-45 days before introducing to the flock
– Limit exposing birds to outdoor environments or wild birds
– Discourage breeding in pet birds through environmental management
– Schedule annual well bird exams with an avian vet
– Follow vet recommendations for testing, vaccines, and supplements
– Avoid using harsh chemicals, perfumes, or aerosols near birds
– Ensure proper lighting, regular bathing opportunities, and appropriate mental stimulation
Following these disease prevention guidelines, in addition to acting fast when health issues do occur, gives pet birds the best chance at living a long, healthy, and happy life in their human families. While birds are naturally good at masking illness, observant owners who know what signs to look for and when to seek veterinary care can help their avian companions thrive.