Caring for feathered friends: Common bird health issues to look out for

SINGAPORE – Owning birds as pets can be very rewarding – be it the forging of a strong owner-pet bond, a sense of companionship or a deep appreciation of the beautiful singing and appearance of songbirds.

However, most bird owners will also know that keeping their pet birds happy and healthy can be quite a task.

Birds have biological traits that set them apart from mammals. However, some physical adaptations that aid survival in the wild may work against birds in captivity.

Many bird species instinctively hide pain and illness to avoid predation, making it easy for bird owners to miss early signs of illness. By the time a bird displays obvious outward signs of poor health, it is often critically ill.

This is why regular monitoring of your bird’s health and condition, and a good understanding of what is usual for your bird are so important.

Here are some common health issues in pet birds to look out for.

Feather loss and feather plucking

Feather loss can be part of a bird’s usual moulting process. However, it is also a sign of ill health, particularly if linked to destructive behaviours such as feather plucking.

Feather plucking is a complex issue and requires a thorough health check to identify an underlying cause. Potential causes of feather plucking include infectious diseases, nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalances, as well as behavioural issues such as boredom, stress or frustration.

Feather plucking may initially look innocuous, with only aesthetic concerns, but if left unchecked, birds can do serious damage to their skin and feather follicles. Do not wait for this to happen before seeking veterinary advice.

Obesity

​Like other pets, obesity can lead to various health issues in birds, such as liver and heart diseases, and is often the result of a diet consisting mostly of high-calorie foods such as seeds.

A wide variety of bird species are kept as pets and owners must cater to their birds’ diet according to what is appropriate for their age and species.

Most parrots, for example, require a nutritionally balanced diet of commercial pellets supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables. High-fat (and high-value) treats such as sunflower seeds should be fed sparingly, for instance, during training or enrichment activities.

Egg binding

All female birds are capable of laying eggs, with or without a mate, and are therefore at risk of egg binding – a condition in which a bird is unable to lay its egg normally. This occurs more commonly in smaller species such as finches, cockatiels and budgerigars.

Birds can become egg-bound due to improper diets lacking calcium and vitamin D, obesity, lack of exercise or other underlying diseases. An egg-bound bird can exhibit non-specific signs such as a drop in energy and appetite, or more severe signs such as paralysis of the legs and difficulty breathing.

Respiratory disease

Respiratory diseases can arise from infectious pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi, but environmental and husbandry factors are also crucial considerations.

Inhaling environmental toxins – such as cooking fumes, cigarette smoke or some aerosol sprays – can also cause respiratory problems.

Vitamin A is crucial for the healthy growth of birds’ respiratory tract lining. Nutritionally imbalanced diets, such as an all-seed diet, predispose birds to respiratory infections.

In birds with respiratory disease, owners may notice only subtle signs such as changes in vocalisation or lethargy. More specific signs include watery eyes, sneezing or nasal discharge.

Increased breathing effort, which may present as open-beak breathing or an obvious up-down bobbing of the tail, is a tell-tale sign of respiratory difficulties and warrants immediate veterinary attention.

Gastrointestinal problems

​Similar to the respiratory tract, the digestive tract of birds can be susceptible to an assortment of infectious diseases. Some examples include fungal (such as yeast), protozoa and bacteria, among others.

Depending on the disease, birds may display different signs of poor health. Signs to look out for include abnormal plaques in the mouth, regurgitation, loose or abnormally coloured droppings, or undigested food in their stools.

Like many other health problems, birds may simply experience weight loss, lack of energy or poor appetite. Your veterinarian may need to conduct several tests to correctly identify the underlying cause of illness, especially when clinical signs are vague.

Regular monitoring of your bird’s health

​Early detection and treatment of illness will give birds the best chances of recovery. Owners can regularly monitor their birds’ health through these simple steps:

Remember that owners are the ones who know their birds best. Even the feeling that your pet is “just not quite right” is often a good intuition that there may be an underlying issue that should not be ignored.

Paying close attention, acting early and seeking veterinary care promptly can make all the difference in keeping your feathered companion happy and healthy for years.