Exotic and Wildlife Medicine: Identifying Illness in an Avian Patient

Some of the ways to see if something is wrong with a parrot is to observe the way it acts to indicate if there is something wrong with the bird, and one way to know is to watch its feathers and preening. It could be a variety of reasons for tattered or unkempt feathers. It is not healthy if the bird stops preening. This valuable behavior fixes feathers, spreads feather dust, preen oil in some breeds, zips up feathers and keeps the bird weather proofed, insulated and may help with breeding opportunities. Birds in a family or pair bonds will often preen each other which keeps them clean and reinforces bonds. After preening they may shake their tail feathers, fluff their feathers or other indications they have finished preening. However, they may also have “feather destructive disorder” if they are damaging feathers. They may destroy parts or an entire feather. There could be a medical or non-medical reason. They may insure tissue around the feathers too. This means they could hurt the muscle. Some of them just will pull out the feathers themselves, but either way they are not normal. Any time the bird hurts itself and tissue damage or a lot of bleeding occur, they need attention immediately.

Fluffed Feathers and Shivering is one of the abnormal behaviors they may display. Feather fluffing may be done to remove debris or after grooming, but it is also done when cold or if the bird is ill. This may be a further indication it could be illness if the bird is standing on two legs while the feathers are fluffed, but the bird could also be cold. When they are shivering it may be an indication that it is a sign of illness. They are not regulating their body temperature and they are trying to stay warm. This is serious and they should see a veterinarian.

The bird could also be ill or tired and they may be sitting on the cage bottom and they may not be doing anything. They may seem depressed and seem dull. Sometimes leaning against the cage and closing their eyes may occur. Sometimes they will not really respond if people try to interact with them. If the bird is acting this way, they should see a veterinarian.