Protect Your Bird From
Parrot Disease

You need to be aware of some of the more common forms of parrot disease as a responsible pet owner. This awareness will prepare you to be more alert to respond to the first signs of illness in your bird.

Some of the things that can help prevent common parrot disease are a clean cage with ample physical space, good nutrition, an intellectually stimulating environment and good hygiene.

A prompt visit to the vet at the first sign of sickness will also go a long way towards your parrot regaining his health if he should fall ill.

Avian Chlamydia, also known as Psittacosis, Parrot Fever or chlamydiosis occurs when parrots are infected by intracellular parasites.

Chlamydia is an air-borne bacterial disease. The bacteria come from infected birds and can be shed through its bodily secretions, fecal material and feather dust. The bacterial organism remains fairly stable outside of it’s host. It can dry into a dusty material and contaminate the air in it’s vicinity.

Dull plumage, low body temperature, lethargy, conjunctivitis and yellow to greenish droppings or grayish watery droppings are among the many possible symptoms. Sometimes your bird can be infected with no outward symptoms.

Parrots that live in overcrowded environments are especiallyprone to getting this disease. You should always be sure to practice good hygiene, and in the event of Chlamydia you need to be aware that it is a zoonotic disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Incubation periods in caged birds can be varied. It can take anywhere from days to months but is most often 3 to 10 days. The incubation period is hard to measure since chronically infected birds can develop persistent and asymptomatic infections.

Escherichia coli (otherwise known as E. coli)  manifests as ruffled feathers, diarrhea, listlessness and shivering. This particular disease is more common in baby and young birds due to their less developed immune systems.

The extent to which your bird is affected will depend on the age and immune system and on the strength of the bacteria. If an adult bird is chronically infected E. Coli can lead to changes in eating habits, abscesses and  failure to hatch eggs.

Clean feeding bowls and water and antibiotics can help most birds recover fully from this common parrot disease.

Feather Plucking can be an upsetting and disturbing problem for both the parrot and it’s owner. It often is an indication of deeper emotional problems. Among the many possible reasons for feather plucking are emotional stress, improper diet or inadequate nutrition and bacterial or fungal infection.

An eye should be kept open for fleas, lice, mites or ticks. While these are rare they can also be the cause of skin irritations that can cause feather plucking.

Making sure that your parrot has a clean, roomy cage, well balanced diet, plenty of attention and mental stimulation can be of great help in heading off this problem.

Parrots with Pacheco’s disease (PDV) exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, diarrhea, ruffled feathers, sinusitis, anorexia, conjunctivitis, and tremors in the neck, wing and legs.

An infected bird’s fecal material can become discolored with urates becoming green suggesting possible liver damage and these birds generally die from massive liver necrosis characterized by an enlarged liver, spleen and kidneys.

Sometimes birds with this disease will die suddenly with no specific or observable symptoms. Infected birds can start shedding the virus through their fecal matter and nasal discharge as early as 3-7 days after infection.

This disease is caused by a virus and is highly contagious. If you think your bird might be infected you should quarantine him until you are sure he is well.

Pacheco’s disease is very often fatal and can affect parrots at any age. Asymptomatic birds, as well as though that have survived an outbreak can be carriers of PDV.

PDV appears to be reactivated when the parrot is under stress which often happens during times such as breeding, loss of a mate, or other environmental changes.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is a disease in which you will see a loss of feathers, development of abnormal feathers, new pinched feathers, shedding of developing feathers and loss of powder down.

Victimsof this disease can also have overgrown or abnormal beaks, symmetrical lesions on their beaks and occasionally their nails. Depression, dramatic weight loss, and immunosuppression can also be seen as the disease progresses.

PBFD is caused by a virus. It can sometimes affect the liver, brain, and immune system. Secondary infections stemming from this sometimes lead to complications and death.

This disease is passed through direct contact and you must thoroughly clean the infected environment since the viral particles can persist in the environment even after the infected bird is removed.

PBFD is supposed to be specific to psittacines and some species that are particularly vulnerable to it are Cockatoos, Macaws African Grey Parrots, Ringneck parakeets, Eclectus Parrots and Lovebirds.

This disease can be fatal for young birds and even adult birds that survive can become carriers. Some feel that those survivors develop an immunity which can be genetically transferred to their offspring.

Hopefully your parrot will never experience any of these problems. By practicing good nutrition and hygiene in addition to providing plenty of attention and mental stimulation you will reduce your chances of experiencing parrot disease.