In nature, birds are part of a flock. The flock is a source of protection and social activity. In the flock, a sick bird is a great danger to all other members of the flock. Ill birds endanger the flock by spreading disease and attracting predators. Ill birds are driven from the flock and are not treated with compassion and understanding by flock members. Therefore, birds are unique in the way they respond to and exhibit their illnesses. They will use all their resources to hide any indication of  illness. This is actually a preservation response, rather than a deliberate or conscious act. Birds in our household respond in the exact same way. We, the caretakers, are part of their flock, so they do everything in their power to convince us that they are healthy and that everything is okay. Therefore, bird caretakers must appreciate this fact by responding promptly to any signs of illness.

Birds are capable of having long lives in our households, but often have there lives shortened because of the failure to detect disease in the early stages prior to clinical signs. This frustration has led veterinarians and bird caretakers to identify signs prior to clinical signs. Routine laboratory screening should be performed at least once every year on all birds.

Please note that new birds added to the household are often a source of disease. Because birds hide symptoms of illness often for months, routine quarantine periods recommended for other species is not adequate and is difficult to maintain in many households. Every new bird should have routine screening in addition to being quarantined from the other birds.