Signs of illness in parrots: fluffed feathers, droppings and finding an avian vet

TUREFF• •0

Parrots are prey animals, and in the wild a bird that looks weak attracts predators. So pet birds instinctively hide illness, and by the time a parrot looks obviously unwell it may be seriously ill. Knowing your bird's normal appearance and behaviour is the best early warning system you have.

Signs that need attention

Fluffed-up feathers for long periods, especially sitting still with eyes half closed during the day. Birds fluff to keep warm, and a sick bird often feels cold.
Sleeping more than usual, or sleeping on two feet at the bottom of the cage.
Eating or drinking less, or much more.
Weight loss, often hidden under feathers. A prominent breastbone can be a late sign.
Tail bobbing with each breath, breathing with an open beak, clicking or wheezing.
Discharge from the eyes or nostrils, or crusting around them.
Vomiting or regurgitation that is not part of courtship feeding.
Changes in voice, or a talkative bird going quiet.
Sitting on the cage floor, falling off perches, or weakness.
Feather changes: plucking, stress bars, poor colour or a dirty vent.
Bleeding from anywhere. Small birds have little blood to lose.

Reading the droppings

A normal dropping has three parts: the faeces (usually green to brown, depending on diet), the urates (white or cream) and clear liquid urine. Learn what is normal for your bird, which is easier if you line the cage floor with plain paper. Changes worth noting include:

faeces that are very loose, black or tarry, or contain undigested food or blood
urates that turn yellow, green or brown
a large increase in urine with no change in diet

Stress, such as a car journey, and watery foods can increase urine for a short while, so look at the pattern over time. If in doubt, photograph the droppings to show the vet.

Weigh your bird

A kitchen scale that reads in grams is one of the most useful tools a bird keeper can own. Weigh your bird at the same time of day, about once a week, and write it down. A steady drop is often the first sign of illness, appearing before anything else does. Ask your vet what a healthy weight range is for your bird.

What to do if you think your bird is ill

A sick bird should be treated as urgent.

Call an avian vet the same day and describe what you have seen.
Keep the bird warm and quiet while you wait, in a covered cage or carrier away from draughts.
Make food and water easy to reach, low down if it is not perching well.
Take a sample of fresh droppings, the cage paper, and a list of what the bird eats.

Do not give human medicines or home remedies; doses that are safe for people can poison a bird.

Finding an avian vet

Not every practice treats birds, and those that do vary in experience. Before you need one:

ask local bird clubs, rescues and breeders who they use
phone practices and ask whether a vet there regularly sees parrots
find out where to go out of hours, since emergencies rarely wait for the morning

A check-up soon after you bring a new bird home gives you a baseline weight and a vet who already knows your bird. Many keepers also arrange regular wellness checks; ask your vet what they suggest.

New birds and other birds

A newly arrived bird can carry infections without showing signs. Keeping it apart from your existing birds for a period and having it checked by a vet first protects both. Your vet can advise how long. Ask your questions or share how you spotted your parrot was unwell in the comments.