Do You Know When Your Bird is Sick?

In the wild, birds do not like to appear unhealthy because predators will be more likely to hunt them. Unfortunately this characteristic carries on to the domestic world as well and it can be very hard to tell if a bird is sick. Your bird will not show many physical signs of illness until he is too weak to hide the signs and by this time, it can be difficult to treat him because the illness is so far along. It is important for you to know what is normal activity for your bird. If this changes, your bird may be sick. 

There are a variety of signs that can indicate illness:

1.      Eating and drinking habits – more or less than usual can lead to many problems including dehydration.

2.      V-shaped breast – feel your bird’s keel bone (in the middle of the breast) and the muscles around it. If the bone is sticking out, this is a sign of an underweight bird.

3.      Overall demeanor – changes in appearance, activity level, talking, or singing.

4.      Breathing – labored breathing, excessive sneezing, clicking, or other signs of respiratory distress can be very serious.

5.      Balance – unable to walk correctly or balance on a perch.

6.      Beak appearance – flakiness, sudden softness, color change, or excessive growth can possibly be vitamin and mineral deficiency or another health issue.

7.      Lethargy – this can be from lack of sleep or another underlying problem. Make sure you give your vet a call if this continues.

8.      Discharge – around eyes or from beak or nostrils.

9.      Droppings – changes in color, volume, consistency, and number/frequency.

10.  Grooming habits – feather picking is an example.

11.  Plumage – abnormal growth, stained, wet, broken, or dull feathers can be a sign of deficiencies of vitamins or minerals, a lack of natural sunlight, or more serious problems.

12.  Matted feathers and accumulation of waste around vent.

13.  Straining to defecate or pass an egg.

14.  Changes in posture/stance – watch for lameness and abnormal nail growth.

15.  Weakness – usually a healthy bird will perch with one leg tucked under when resting; however, when the bird is physically weak, it may need to perch with both feet

If you see signs that your bird is possibly ill, you can take him to the vet or try to care for him at your home if it is not a serious illness. Check out the article “Is Your Bird Sick? Learn How to Care for Him.”