Bird Illness Behaviours & Symptoms to Look Out For

Bird illness signs are unfortunately very subtle. This is because in the wild, if a bird shows any signs of vulnerability or ill health, they’ll be targeted by predators. Usually by the time you can really tell that a bird is ill, it may already be too late. Therefore it’s important to recognise bird illness signs early, and we’ve put together this guide to help you better spot these symptoms. If you’re in doubt, always take your pet bird to a vet, they will know far more than any online guide. To help prevent any bird illness, you should regularly use a Bird Cage Safe Disinfectant on their home.

Danger Signs of Bird Illness

• Sits with it’s feathers fluffed constantly.
• Lost it’s appetite.
• Sleeps all the time.
• Is eliminating irregularly.
• Droppings have suddenly changed colour or consistency.
• They’ve lost weight.
• Lost interest in normal daily activities.
• Cannot hold it’s wings up.
• Becomes lame.
• Partially eaten food is stuck to face.
• Regurgitated food onto the floor.
• Breathing is laboured, perhaps with the tail wobbling.
• Runny eyes or nose.
• Stops being vocal.
• Dull eyes.
• Swollen eyes.
• Dirty, matted feathers.
• Missing feathers.
• Visible wounds or injuries.
• Reluctance to fly.
• Excessive drinking.
• Sitting too still, even when you approach them.
• Drooping wings.
• Limping.
• Losing balance, falling off perch.
• Being harassed by other birds.
• Unusual smell to their droppings.
• Lumps or swelling.

Normal Behaviour

These are behaviors that at first may seem irregular or strange, but can in fact be very normal for your bird.

• Preening feathers – they spend a long time cleaning and straightening each one!
• Sleeping on the floor with feet in the air – some birds sleep naturally like this, they may even fall asleep mid-eating in their food bowl.

If your bird shows any of these symptoms then contact your local vet immediately and ask for further advice and instructions.  The bird should ideally be seen as soon as possible to rule out any illness or start treatment as soon as possible.]]>