What are the symptoms of a sick
bird? Most bird owners can recognize the classic symptoms of a very sick bird: being
fluffed up and sleeping on the bottom of the cage. By the time a bird reaches
this stage of an illness it will be much more difficult for the bird to recover. Sick birds will often look and behave like a normal, healthy bird until it's
too late for medical treatment to be effective. (This is why we quarantine new
birds being added to our flocks.) In the wild, birds have to hide
their illnesses to protect themselves from predators. Predators will attack weak,
sick and disabled birds first because they are easy targets and can't fly away or
fight back. Our pet birds will instinctively hide their illnesses from us the same
way. If we are observant and pay close attention to our bird's daily living habits and behavior, we may be able to identify
subtle physical or behavioral changes that may be early symptoms of illness.
Seeking medical treatment for your bird from an avian veterinarian in the very
early stages of an illness may just save the life of your bird.
Initial symptoms of illness may include: a fluffed up, cranky, inactive or sleepy
bird that naps more often, a change in normal vocalizing, a decrease in food
consumption or a change in the color, consistency or frequency of droppings. Your bird may look smaller and
feel lighter in your hand because he's not eating much and losing
weight. Sick birds quickly become anorexic, refusing to eat or drink water. If you keep track of your bird's weight on a regular basis, a weight loss of
few grams each day is a sign of illness. Once a bird loses 20% of his or her body weight,
the prognosis is not good. Very small, dry, scant,
black droppings mean that your bird is not eating much and is dehydrated. Sick
birds will also sleep fluffed up on the bottom of the cage because they are too
weak to grasp onto perches. Fluffing up helps them to maintain body heat. Other
symptoms of illness are listed below.
Symptoms of a Sick Bird
any change in behavior or energy level (stops eating singing, playing, interacting with people)
excessive sleeping or sleeping on the bottom of the cage
sleeping on both feet instead of 1 foot with head tucked under wing
change in color or consistency of droppings
watery droppings
droppings that contain
whole undigested seeds and food
black colored droppings
a soiled vent
drinking more or
less water than usual
loss of appetite
vomiting or regurgitation
sticky, wet looking facial feathers
a discharge from the beak, eyes or nostrils
inflamed, or crusty nostrils or eyes
swelling around the eyes
increased blinking, squinting or cloudy eyes
coughing, sneezing, irregular breathing, open mouth breathing
panting, noisy breathing with a clicking sound, wheezing
tail bobbing while breathing, (visible up and down movement of tail)
a change or loss of voice
drooping head, wings or tail
a change in body posture with a bent over, hunched appearance
lameness, swollen legs or feet
inability or difficulty perching
diarrhea, (looks like splattered pea soup, often stuck to tail and vent feathers)
black droppings, bright red or bloody droppings
bright yellow or green urine or urates
a distended or bloated abdomen, straining to eliminate droppings
foul or sour odors from droppings or from the mouth
loss of balance, unsteadiness or tremors
inability to fly, walk or grasp onto a perch.
falling off the perch
disorientation
abnormal molting, feather growth, plucking or feather chewing
bleeding
lumps or swelling on the body
Vomiting and Regurgitation in adult
birds can be a sign of illness or normal avian affection. There is also a difference between
regurgitation and vomiting. Regurgitation is the expulsion of
undigested food from the mouth, esophagus or crop. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of
partially digested material from the stomach. When vomiting, a bird
usually shakes his/her head
back and forth. When regurgitating, a bird will make more of a neck pumping
motion. Parrots will often regurgitate on their human mates if they are closely
bonded. This is normal and this is how mates feed each other in the wild. Some pet birds in
captivity will feed each other this way as well, especially when breeding. Sometimes
vomiting and regurgitation are not noticeable because the bird
shakes his/her head back and forth. Get into the habit of visually examining
your bird closely each day. Suspect vomiting if facial feathers look sticky with specks of
food.
If you notice any of these symptoms and think your bird
is sick, he probably is. Please don't waste valuable time looking for
home remedies, over the counter medications and ways to treat your bird yourself
on the web.
Your bird needs the help of an avian vet. Please give your bird the same medical
treatment that you would provide for a cat, dog or another family member.
Cockatiels have the same if not longer lifespan than other pets and they
deserve the best medical care too. If money is an issue, talk to your vet
about purchasing Pet Bird Health Care Insurance, which is now available in the
USA. If you don't have an avian vet and live in the USA or Canada, you should be able to find one here
CLICK HERE
What are the symptoms of a sick
bird? Most bird owners can recognize the classic symptoms of a very sick bird: being
fluffed up and sleeping on the bottom of the cage. By the time a bird reaches
this stage of an illness it will be much more difficult for the bird to recover. Sick birds will often look and behave like a normal, healthy bird until it's
too late for medical treatment to be effective. (This is why we quarantine new
birds being added to our flocks.) In the wild, birds have to hide
their illnesses to protect themselves from predators. Predators will attack weak,
sick and disabled birds first because they are easy targets and can't fly away or
fight back. Our pet birds will instinctively hide their illnesses from us the same
way. If we are observant and pay close attention to our bird's daily living habits and behavior, we may be able to identify
subtle physical or behavioral changes that may be early symptoms of illness.
Seeking medical treatment for your bird from an avian veterinarian in the very
early stages of an illness may just save the life of your bird.
Initial symptoms of illness may include: a fluffed up, cranky, inactive or sleepy
bird that naps more often, a change in normal vocalizing, a decrease in food
consumption or a change in the color, consistency or frequency of droppings. Your bird may look smaller and
feel lighter in your hand because he's not eating much and losing
weight. Sick birds quickly become anorexic, refusing to eat or drink water. If you keep track of your bird's weight on a regular basis, a weight loss of
few grams each day is a sign of illness. Once a bird loses 20% of his or her body weight,
the prognosis is not good. Very small, dry, scant,
black droppings mean that your bird is not eating much and is dehydrated. Sick
birds will also sleep fluffed up on the bottom of the cage because they are too
weak to grasp onto perches. Fluffing up helps them to maintain body heat. Other
symptoms of illness are listed below.
Vomiting and Regurgitation in adult
birds can be a sign of illness or normal avian affection. There is also a difference between
regurgitation and vomiting. Regurgitation is the expulsion of
undigested food from the mouth, esophagus or crop. Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of
partially digested material from the stomach. When vomiting, a bird
usually shakes his/her head
back and forth. When regurgitating, a bird will make more of a neck pumping
motion. Parrots will often regurgitate on their human mates if they are closely
bonded. This is normal and this is how mates feed each other in the wild. Some pet birds in
captivity will feed each other this way as well, especially when breeding. Sometimes
vomiting and regurgitation are not noticeable because the bird
shakes his/her head back and forth. Get into the habit of visually examining
your bird closely each day. Suspect vomiting if facial feathers look sticky with specks of
food.
If you notice any of these symptoms and think your bird
is sick, he probably is. Please don't waste valuable time looking for
home remedies, over the counter medications and ways to treat your bird yourself
on the web.
Your bird needs the help of an avian vet. Please give your bird the same medical
treatment that you would provide for a cat, dog or another family member.
Cockatiels have the same if not longer lifespan than other pets and they
deserve the best medical care too. If money is an issue, talk to your vet
about purchasing Pet Bird Health Care Insurance, which is now available in the
USA. If you don't have an avian vet and live in the USA or Canada, you should be able to find one here
