Signs of a Sick Bird

People call the shop or come in with descriptions of obviously ill birds. They always ask, "I don't want to take my bird to the vet. It will cost me hundreds of dollars. What can you do? What can I buy over the counter to cure my bird?"

The answer is: NOTHING. You waited too long and your bird is probably going to die.

People know that I will do anything within my power to save a bird. I've seen some miraculous recoveries, but it is time that all of you take responsibility for the wild creatures that you have chosen to bring into your life. No one likes to participate in a death watch.

Every day examine every bird in your care and answer the following:

Is my bird looking as perky as yesterday?

Are the eyes as bright and wide open as yesterday? Are the eyes closed or squinting? This is an early sign of illness that requires prompt medical care from your avian vet.

Look at the bird's droppings every day.

Are there as many droppings as usual?

Any unusual colors in the droppings? Look for lime green or iridescent yellow. These colors indicate problems that require prompt medical care from your avian vet.

Don't panic if you see red droppings after feeding something red. Colored pellets may also add color to the feces. A single dropping doesn't mean anything, but a pattern can be significant.

Is my bird fluffed? This is the most important indicator of a sick bird. Birds fluff when they nap or sleep, or if the room is too cold. However, a bird that sits in the corner and acts uncharacteristically lethargic ("puffed up") may be showing subtle signs of illness that require prompt medical care from your avian vet.

If a bird is fluffed for more than a few hours it is probably sick and requires prompt medical care from your avian vet.

Is my bird wheezing or sneezing? All birds sneeze occasionally and this is probably normal. However, wet sneezes are usually not normal unless your bird has bathed or immersed its head in the water crock.

Repeated wet sneezes require prompt medical care from your avian vet.

Wheezes, unusual whistling noises, and noises you observe as your bird breathes are usually signs of a respiratory problem that requires prompt medical attention from your avian vet. Too often birds die from blockage of the air passage. Most could be saved if their owners had rushed them to the vet.

Are the nares (nostrils) clean—no mucus, discharge, or dry, crusty material?

If any of these conditions are present the bird requires prompt medical care from your avian vet.

Birds are masters of masquerade. Because they are preyed upon in the wild, and because weak animals are always the first choice of predators, our birds are extremely good at hiding illness. Usually if signs of illness are showing it is too late to save the bird’s life.

This is why we must safeguard their health, monitor health status, and provide prompt medical care when necessary. That’s the humane thing to do. Letting your bird suffer because you don’t want to pay the bill to keep it healthy is definitely not.

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