Birds, like any other pet, can quickly fall ill, and it’s up to bird owners to spot the signs of illness early on to ensure a smooth and complete recovery. Some of the most common signs of illness include abnormalities in droppings, ruffled feathers, unwillingness to eat and drink normally, and discharge from the nostrils or eyes.
“Birds are known for hiding illness very well. The symptoms, especially early on, can be subtle. And signs of illness, like ruffled feathers, can also occur for other reasons – a cold bird who’s near a draft will ruffle his feathers in the same way that an ill bird would. So the key is to know what behavior normal for your bird and check him daily for any injuries or other abnormalities,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.
Understanding what to look for is key. The following symptoms are among the most common seen in an ill bird.
- Irregular droppings are an early sign that a bird may be sick. A bird’s droppings will vary slightly depending on what they’re eating on any given day. But the consistency and amount should not change dramatically if a food has been well-tolerated in the past. Excessively firm or watery droppings indicate a problem. Color is another thing to examine as black, thick stools, for instance, can indicate internal bleeding in the upper portion of the digestive tract. Yellow stools, or reddish, bloody stools also indicate an underlying medical problem
- Ruffled feathers often indicate illness or a drafty condition that can trigger illness. So when a bird’s feathers are ruffled, be sure your bird is not in a cold location and check for any drafts. If the problem continues, a trip to the vet is required.
- Sitting on the cage bottom can not only indicate injury, but it can also indicate illness. When a bird is weak, flying becomes difficult; therefore, a bird who is sitting on the cage bottom should be separated from the flock and brought to an avian vet as soon as possible.
- Irregular eating and drinking habits are commonly seen in an ill bird. Refusal of favorite foods, and drinking less than usual is a sign of a problem. Long term, this can lead to dangerous weight loss, weakness and dehydration, so prompt attention and supplementation is key.
- Excessive sleeping and weight loss are other indications of illness. Illness and injury takes its toll on the body’s reserves, therefore an ill bird will require extra nutrition and extra sleep to function. If the body is using more nutrition than the bird takes in through his meals, then weight loss results. Recording your bird’s weight on a weekly basis can be helpful in detecting a problem.
- Poor grooming habits can signal a problem, as an ill bird will not groom himself as he normally does. Poor preening can lead to a raggedy look. A bird who regularly bathes may also lose interest in this activity.
- Discharge from the nostrils and eyes can indicate a serious respiratory illness. This requires immediate attention, as respiratory disease can become deadly in short order when it affects the fragile avian body. The upper portion of the bill may take on a moist appearance and sneezing is also not uncommon.
- Soiled vent feathers can indicate a serious problem such as egg binding or a gastrointestinal illness. Droppings may stick to the vent feathers, or they may become soiled and clumpy with a mucus or fluid.
- Changes in temperament and personality can be signs that a bird is feeling off-color. A bird who is normally friendly, vocal and playful, can become withdrawn and sullen when he’s ill.
Any abnormality or sign of illness is cause for concern in a pet bird, so immediate action is necessary to ensure the best possible outcome.
Separating a bird from fellow flock members is the first step. Placing the ill bird in a sick cage can help prevent the spread of disease, while preventing injury to the sick pet.
Dr. Levine added, “Whatever you do, don’t wait until a problem arises to find a vet. An ill pet is stressful enough, without having to worry about where to find help. In some areas, avian vets are few and far between so before you even bring a bird home, you should know the phone number and geographical location of a qualified avian vet in your area. In addition, find the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic with an avian vet on-staff - if an emergency does arise, you’ll be glad you did.”
