Birds, like other pets, get sick at times. Symptoms of illness can be subtle and your bird will probably try to hide the fact that it’s ill, but watching for certain things can alert you in time to deal with an emergency. Here are some classic signs of illness in a bird:
- Bleeding: either internal or external bleeding. Externally, the cause is most likely an injury or damaged feathers. Internal bleeding is revealed when blood issues from the mouth, nose, or vent. Black tarry droppings may be evidence of internal bleeding.
- Breathing difficulty: rapid breathing, wheezing or gasping, breathing through an open mouth, nasal discharge, a choking sound or loss of voice, swollen eyes, or stretching of the neck. Sometimes the tail moves up and down with each breath or the bird may hold its wings away from its body. Breathing difficulty can be caused by a number of problems including heat stroke, poisoning, shock, infection, egg binding, or an inhaled object.
- Cloaca prolapse: when something is observed protruding from the vent. This may be caused by egg binding, internal organs protruding, tumors, or foreign objects.
- Convulsions: a serious but nonspecific symptom that can be caused by poisoning, head trauma, infection, nutritional deficiency, heat stroke, various diseases or epilepsy.
- Diarrhea: liquid droppings caused by poisoning, infection, egg binding, ingestion of a foreign object and various diseases.
- Discharge from the eyes or nose: most often a sign of infection or eye injury.
- Fluffed feathers when temperatures are warm: a possible sign of shock.
- Injury: obvious or even suspected injuries should be assessed promptly—animal bites, eye injury, broken bones, burns, head trauma etc.
- Lethargy / weakness: common in many medical conditions; may indicate heat stroke, poisoning, or shock.
- Vomiting: caused by poisoning, infection, gastrointestinal obstruction, ingestion of a foreign object and other less serious problems. Some birds regurgitate food normally.
- Wings held away from the body: a sign of heat stroke or respiratory difficulties.
Many of the symptoms described above indicate a medical emergency—it’s unwise to try to treat your sick bird yourself.
Not all veterinarians are skilled and experienced in the care of birds. If you have a pet bird or are planning on acquiring one, it’s wise to locate an avian veterinarian in your area before you need one. Pet bird owners should also consider purchasing a good reference book with information about the general needs and common health issues associated with pet birds.
Related content:
Less Common but Popular Pet Birds
Sources:
Birds Off the Perch. Lachman, Larry, Diane Grindol, and Frank Kocher. New York: Fireside; 2003.
The Complete Pet Bird Owner’s Handbook. Gallerstein, Gary A. Minneapolis: Avian Publications; 2003.
