Many people who own birds learn their favorite foods, favorite toys and what they like to do each day. What many bird owners don’t recognize are the first signs of illness in their feathered friends.
Birds hide illness very well. It is in their best interest as members of a flock to hide weakness or illness in order to avoid becoming prey for a hawk or large cat. As their caretakers, it is our responsibility to notice those subtle signs of illness and get them to a veterinarian.
The first thing you might notice is a dull or ruffled look to the feathers. An ill bird will not preen as diligently as a healthy bird. Your bird may also be less active than usual, eating and drinking less. Their posture may be slumped on the perch or they may spend more time on the bottom of their cage. Lethargy can also be noticed in the eyes. A close inspection of your bird might reveal a dull or droopy look in the eyes.
Another sign of illness may be discharge in the beak or nostrils (nares). The discharge can get stuck to the feathers when preening, making them clump together. The clumping can sometimes lead to extreme feather loss as well. You should also pay close attention to the feces, as the color or consistency may suddenly change.
Because illness can lead to a lack of appetite, your bird may lose weight rapidly. Feeling your bird’s breast muscle on either side of the keel bone will tell you if your bird is losing weight. A sharp keel is a thin bird and most likely a sick bird.
Pacing, feather plucking and repeating the same behavior incessantly can also be signs of underlying illness. This stereotypical behavior can be a simple case of boredom or something more serious. Feather plucking to the point of complete feather loss is also a sign of illness or boredom. If the behavior is caught early enough and more complex toys are added and rotated regularly, the boredom can be averted. However, if the behavior continues, a veterinarian should be consulted as a nutritional deficiency or virus may be the cause.
In all cases, you should consult your veterinarian. If caught early enough, many illnesses in birds can be treated. However, if left untreated for too long many illnesses are fatal. The most important thing is to be aware of what is normal for your bird and be attentive to changes in your bird’s behavior and appearance.
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