Health Tips

Two Healthy Hyacinth Macaws Remember, a healthy bird is a happy bird. As a bird owner, your biggest responsibility to your pet bird is to make sure that he stays healthy and in top condition. Hold up your end of the deal by learning all about bird nutrition, grooming and hygiene requirements, and symptoms of illness.

A healthy diet with a lot of variety is very important to a pet bird. You are what you eat, and birds are no different. Make sure that your bird looks and feels his best by filling his dish with a fresh, nutritious, and varied diet. For species specific information visit the Bird Page.

All bird owners want their pets to look their best. Keeping your bird's cage and feathers clean can help avoid illness, infections, and discomfort. Good grooming and hygiene can help make sure that your domestic bird is always in the best condition.

Knowing what's normal for your bird in terms of behavior and body condition can be extremely beneficial in diagnosing health problems.

Only a veterinarian can diagnose and treat illness. Contact a vet as soon as possible if your bird shows signs of illness.

Signs of Illness:

• Appetite changes- eating more or less than usual.
• Behavior changes such as sleeping more often or being less active than normal.
• Weight changes.
• Change in droppings- becoming looser, changing color or reduction in number.
• Increased drinking of water not explained by hot weather, increased exercise, or eating salty foods or those high in water content such as greens, cucumber or watermelon.
• Fluffed up appearance.
• Prolonged molt or absence of molt (unhealthy birds will not molt), ragged or sparse-looking feathers, bare areas where feathers do not regrow.
• Loss of song or hoarseness.
• Sneezing, coughing, labored breathing, tail bobbing up and down with each breath.
• Nasal discharge.
• Eye discharge or swollen eyelid.
• Favoring a foot or leg.
• Swellings or growths.
• Sitting drooped on perch or sitting on the floor of the cage.
• Droppings stuck to the bird’s vent area.