Signs of Illness

Instinctually, birds will hide signs of illness to prevent from appearing weak, since it makes them an easy target for predatory animals in the wild. By the time signs of illness or disease start being noticeable, the bird has become too weak to be able to disguise the symptomes. At this point, the bird is likely extremely ill already. This is why it is crucial to seek immediate help from an avian veterinarian the moment you notice anything suspicious. Waiting a day or two could lead do death. Often, by the time a pet bird owner brings a sick bird in to the veterinarian, the disease condition is usually well-advanced, making treatment difficult, if it can be treated at all. It is extremely important for bird owners to be aware of common signs of illness and monitor their pet closely, especially since no two birds behave in the same way. They may exhibit different signs of illness, even when having the same diagnosis. Learning what normal behavior is for a particular bird is imperative to discovering sickness as early as possible.

Not all the symptomes named below are always caused by illness, there could be other causes. However, any sudden changes and signs of abnormalities should be investigated immediately to determine the cause. If you notice any of the signs of illness in the list below, contact your veterinarian!

Budgie laying down

Ruffled lovebird

Swollen vent area

Signs of illness characterized by changes in general appearance:

• Huddled

• Sitting low on a perch

• Sitting on the bottom of the cage

• Hanging onto the side of the cage with beak instead of sitting on a perch (consistently)

• Ruffled feathers (consistently)

• Weakness

• Losing balance or falling off perch

• Lumps or swelling of any portion of the body

• Picking at own feathers or body

• Trembling

• Not preening (consistently)

• Harassed by other birds

• Dull or sunken eyes

• Abnormal eye color

• Walking in circles

• Unusual smell to bird or droppings

• Drooped or elevated wing(s)

A healthy bird should be bright-eyed, alert and have clean, nicely preened feathers held closely to the body. Sick birds will usually ruffle their feathers for extended periods of time and close their eyes in a sleepy fashion. Of course, healthy birds can behave this way too during afternoon naps and the evenings, but while awake and alert, a bird should maintain an erect position on the perch. It's weight should be evenly distributed on the feet, wing tips crossing over the back and the tail feathers maintaining a straight line with the back. Birds that huddle on the bottom of the cage are critically ill.

Signs of illness characterized by changes in general attitude:

• Inactivity

• Decreased or changes in vocalizations or singing

• Drooping wings

• Collapse

• Seizures

• Increased sleeping or eyes closed

• Poor response to stimuli

• Changes in personality (For example more submissive or more aggressive)

• Displaying juvenile behavior (For example begging for food)

• Low production in breeding birds

Sudden changes in behavior can be caused from molting, stress, sexual maturity, or from illness. These aren't always an issue but any sudden behavioral changes should be investigated immediately to determine the cause.

Normal droppings

Abnormal droppings

Signs of illness characterized by changes in the droppings:

• Change in color of the urates (This is the normally creamy white waste, often suspended in the liquid urine or appear to wrap around the feces. The absence of urates for more than a half a day requires an immediate vet exam. Yellow urates can be a sign of liver damage or kidney problems.)

• Change in color of the urine (This is the normally clear liquid. A diet high in vegetables and fruits may increase the urine component.)

• Change in color of the feces (This is the solid food waste from the digestive tract. It can differ somewhat in color and consistency based on the parrot species and their diet. The color of feces can range from varying shades of green, yellow and brown. Diets with a high seed content usually produce dark green feces. Birds on pellets will produce soft brown feces, often a color that resembles that of the pellets. If they eat fresh vegetables and fruits such as beets, this can also affect the color of the feces. Bright red or black droppings are signs of serious problems. Bright lime green droppings may be a sign of Psittacosis.)

• Change in consistency (Watery: increased urine, loose feces: diarrhea, hard feces: constipation.)

• Bloody droppings

• Undigested food in feces

• Decrease in amount and/or size of the droppings

• Increase in urates

Video: Budgie tailbobbing by David Walter

Signs of illness characterized by changes in breathing pattern:

• Difficulty breathing

• Tail bobbing up and down

• Whole body moving to the rythme of the breathing

• Breathing with open beak

• Gasping

• Sneezing (more than once)

• Discharge or crusts around the nares

• Wheezing or clicking sounds

• Exercise intolerance (heavy breathing after exercise, or inability to exercise)

• Change in sound of voice

• Straining to pass an egg

Any signs of respiratory distress are extremely serious and require emergency veterinary care ASAP. The earlier you can diagnose the symptomes and start the treatment, the higher the chances the bird will have of full recovery. Clear discharge from the nares can be from simple sinus irritation caused by dust, pollen, etc. Continued discharge, or yellow or green colored discharge can be a sign of a more serious problem. All birds sneeze on occasion, especially at night, but continued sneezing is not normal.

Signs of illness characterized by changes in eating/drinking/digestion:

• Increased or decreased appetite

• Increased or decreased drinking

• Vomiting (not to confuse with regurgitation)

• Straining to defecate or pass an egg

• Diarrhea

• Swelling in the crop area

• Weight loss (can by measured with a scale or by feeling the breast bone)

• Discharge from beak

• Inability to pick up food or manipulate it

• Protrusion from the vent

Swollen foot

Crusty fungus

Curled toes

Signs of illness characterized by changes in feet or leggs:

• Lameness or favoring a leg

• Flakiness or crusting of feet

• Discoloration of feet

• Shifting feet

• Abnormal nail growth

• Swollen feet or joints

• Sores on bottom of feet

Infections of the feet can occur despite precautions. Pressure sores on the bottom of the feet may develop from improper perch sizes and materials. Keep the perches clean, vary the sizes, and provide a soft or non-rigid type perch. If you notice weight shifting, redness, swellings, sores on the feet/legs or lameness, veterinary care should be sought quickly. Unusual crustiness or flakiness on the legs and feet may indicate either a nutritional or parasitic condition. One strong caution-care must be taken whenever cream or ointment are applied to a bird since it can easily damage their feather coat.

Featherloss or plucking

Discoloration of feathers

Irriated skin

Signs of illness characterized by changes in feather coat:

• Ruffled feathers (constantly)

• Mishapen, chewed or broken feathers

• Decreased preening

• Wet, stained, or matted feathers on the head, vent, or other area

• Dull feathers

• Long or excessive molt, bald spots

• Pulling or picking at feathers

• Abnormal color

• Abnormal barring

These can be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency caused from an incomplete diet, lack of natural sunlight (not through a window), a more serious problem affecting the vital organs, or from Beak and Feather Syndrome. A physical exam should be preformed at the first signs of abnormalities to determine the cause. Dirty tattered feathers may indicate lack of preening due to illness, mechanical damage due to poor housing, or when a bird is emotional upset. Staining of the feathers above the nares indicates nasal discharge. Some parrots will have this occasionaly at night after sneezing, consult vet if this condition persists. The feathers around the vent should be clean. If droppings are stuck to the vent it could indicate an intestinal tract infection or abdominal enlargement.

Enlarged and bloody nostril

Swollen Eye Area

Overgrown Beak

Signs of illness characterized by changes in appearance of the head:

• Discharge around the eyes

• Discharge around the nares

• Squinting or half-closed eyes

• Overgrown beak

• Flakiness of beak

• Softening of beak tissue

• Shiny black beak in a cockatoo (symptom of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease)

• Loss of symmetry (one area seems swollen or smaller compared to the other side)

• Redness around the eyes

• Loss of feathers around the eyes

• Discoloration of the beak

• Flicking or twitching of the head

These can be signs of vitamin or mineral deficiency caused by an incomplete diet, injury, or Beak and Feather Syndrome. Seek vet advise at the first signs of any changes in the beak.

Cheek Injury

Injuries:

• Burns

• Bite wounds (from other birds or pets)

• Injury from flying into a window or other object

• Bleeding

Emergency First Aid:

Heat and food are the two most important considerations for temporary care of your sick bird until it can be seen by your veterinarian. The bird should be kept quiet and handling of the bird should be minimized. A temperature of 29 C° to 32 C° should be maintained for injured or sick birds. Every effort must be made to encourage a sick bird to eat, even if it just snacks like millet or sunflower seeds. Food should be placed where the bird is perched. Offer the bird’s favorite food by hand if necessary. Always remember the smaller the bird, the more critical and prompt attention is needed.