increased sleeping and reduced interaction with the owner. reduced vocalisation, change in voice. increased respiratory rate or effort, often noted as a slight 'tail bob' when the bird is perching. loose/unformed droppings, more water around the droppings.
A sick bird may have discharge coming from the eyes or nostrils, discoloration, or swelling. They may also be sneezing or wheezing, bobbing their head or slightly swaying. They may favor one leg over the other.
Sick pets need extra calories to fight illness and recover. Without adequate nutrition and fluids, sick birds will not get better. If your bird is not eating and drinking as he normally would, notify your veterinarian immediately. He may need to be hospitalized for force feeding if he will not eat on his own.
Lethargy. Birds are normally highly active, so any sign of lethargy, depression, or fatigue should be taken as potentially serious. 1 Birds that are found lying on the bottom of the cage or who refuse to leave their nests or perches are often very sick and in need of immediate veterinary care.
The following are indications that a bird may be sick or injured: The bird is quiet, dull, the eyes may be closed, and it has fluffed feathers (the bird looks “puffed up”). It may have an obvious wound, breathing problems, a drooping wing, or show lameness or an inability to stand. It does not fly away when approached.
To protect yourself, your family, and your pets, don't handle any potentially sick bird without disposable gloves, and make sure you have a box prepared for it, and a place to bring it, before you put it through the trauma of capture.
Common symptoms in most bacterial diseases include listlessness, weight loss and loss of appetite. More specifically, stomach infections show digestive symptoms, such as a lack of appetite, and diarrhea. Liver infections display digestive and urinary problems.
Change in color or texture of either the fecal component or the urate component. "Bubbly" looking droppings. Increase in the watery or liquid component (called polyuria or too much urine) The presence of blood.
So sick birds need to be warmed up – urgently. Putting a blanket over its cage won't help the bird is not generating enough heat for the blanket to trap and keep warm. The most effective way to warm a bird up is to place it under a light (a bulb, not a fluoro).
If his eyes appear to be sunken or dull, or the skin surrounding his eyes has a wrinkled appearance your bird may be suffering from dehydration. Dehydration also can cause a bird's mucous membranes, located inside the bird's mouth, to become sticky or dried out.
Bird survival without food, while active
Using the same example above of a medium-sized songbird, we can estimate that a typical bird, with 10% of its bodyweight being composed of fat, will survive 1 to 3 days. However, if that bird has no body fat, its survival time could be less than a single day.
Signs of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI)
An infected flock might show signs of respiratory distress, diarrhoea, a loss of appetite or a drop in egg production of more than 5%. If you are suspicious your flock has any form of avian influenza you must contact your local animal health office immediately.
Infected birds show signs of decreased food consumption, respiratory signs (coughing and sneezing) and decreased egg production.
One way to know whether your bird is feeling well or not is to notice whether it is squinting. Squinting is a very good predictor of your bird being in pain; however, it does not necessarily indicate an eye infection.
Signs of Avian Flu Illness in Birds Sudden death; lack of energy, appetite and coordination; purple discoloration and/or swelling of various body parts; diarrhea; nasal discharge; coughing; sneezing; and reduced egg production and/or abnormal eggs.
Living with avian flu may mean a week or two of living with mild symptoms that get better over time. Rest and fluids will help.
If your bird has been sick, it's important to give it proper care so it can recover and feel better as soon as possible. You can do this in part by eliminating things that could make the bird sicker, such as germs and waste in the cage.
Many things contribute to ill health in birds. Improper diet is the most common cause of ill health in pet birds. Trauma, poor upkeep, inferior hygiene, stress, and genetics may lead to ill health. Just because the bird's outward appearance is normal does not mean the bird is healthy.
Biting, hissing, lunging, and excessive screaming are all signs to watch out for. Fear – While not all birds are outwardly friendly, if your bird suddenly becomes timid and avoids being handled, this could be a sign that your feathered friend is stressed.
If a bird is really injured, consider contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who can make an informed judgment about whether additional care is possible and advise on next steps. Most rehabilitators are volunteers who do this in their spare time, so it may be difficult to reach one immediately.