Birds

Birds are well renowned for hiding symptoms of illness or injury. This is often referred to as the ‘preservation reflex’ and considered an evolutionary trait to avoid being eaten. They can often hide signs of disease until the problem has become very advanced and many injuries that initially seem minor, can actually be very serious. We recommend always erring on the side of caution when something seems unusual with your bird and having them examined by an avian veterinarian.

Signs of illness or injury in birds:

• Fluffed feathers, hunched posture, partially closed eyelids
• Less active, sleeping more
• Not eating, reduced appetite or ravenous appetite
• Changes in normal behaviours or routine
• Less vocal or change in voice
• Having difficulty moving or unable to fly, walk or perch
• Limping or not using a leg
• Sneezing, nasal discharge
• Breathing difficulties
• Changes to one or both eyes (swelling, redness, discharge)
• Vomiting
• Changes to the droppings (diarrhoea, excessive water)
• Drinking excessively
• Bleeding, wounds, lumps or swellings
• Chewing or pulling out feathers, traumatising skin
• Long beak, long nails
• Seizures, tremors