As disease develops in all of us, our bodies have unique abilities to adjust and attempt to correct the disease. If the body is able to correct the process, clinical signs of illness do not develop or are very mild. You and I often never realize how our bodies have protected us from disease. However, if at some point our bodies are not able to correct the disease process, we become ill.

Birds carry this process to an extreme. Bird's bodies do not simply try to correct the developing disease process, but they also hide the signs of illness even after the body is not any longer able to deal with the disease. Birds are known to be masters at hiding the signs of illness. Their instinct is to work as hard as possible to appear normal  for as long as possible. So that means other than trauma, by the time major symptoms develop, they have usually been sick for weeks, if not months.

Our job is to look for subtle changes that may indicate an ill bird. If you see any symptoms of illness, your bird needs to be checked as soon as possible because often these birds are closer to dying than we realize.

Possible signs of a sick bird

• Puffed up for unusually long times and at unusual times of day (This is consistent sign of illness.)

• Changes in vocalization or eating habits, even if slight

• Feathers that are dull or have color changes, an extended molt, or if feathers are broken, chewed, picked, or broken

• Feathers around nares, vent, or eyes that are stained

• Periorbital area (the area area around the eyes) that are swollen, red, or has feather loss

• Nostrils containing crusty material

• Beak or skin with excessive flakiness

• Beak or nails with excessive overgrowth

• Loss of scale pattern or sores or on the bottom of the feet

• Lameness in limb not associated with known trauma

• Dull eyes.

• Changes in sleeping patterns, especially if sleeping more than than usual

• Listless

• Changes in stool characteristics

• Changes in behavior where the bird is more clingy and cuddly

• Weight loss, even in very small amounts. Many birds caretakers have scales and weigh their birds routinely at home.

Birds showing any of these signs should be checked out to identify the illness and disease before it becomes a major problem. Waiting and watching to see what happens is a recipe for disaster.