Signs and symptoms of a sick bird

With their bright and beautiful plumage, birds are always dressed in the perfect costume. But sometimes they wear a disguise, too. Like their wild counterparts, companion avians may instinctually mask symptoms of an illness until it is in an advanced stage.

That's why it's important that you, as a doting pet parent, are alert for changes in your bird's everyday habits and behaviors. Following is a rundown of some subtle, and not so subtle, signs that your bird may be sick.

Overall appearance

A bird who is not feeling well may fluff out his feathers in an effort to keep warm, or sit quietly on the floor of the cage with his eyes closed. If he's unusually complacent or agitated, listlessly picks at even his favorite treat, or is just not acting his cheery (vocal) self, you will want to further assess the situation.

The scoop on poop 

Like it or not, you're probably very familiar with your bird's droppings. There is an upside to this! You'll readily notice any deviations from the norm, which can indicate a variety of illnesses. Signs that something's amiss include:

• Runny droppings
• Change in color of droppings, either in the normally white part or the normally dark greenish part
• Blood in the droppings
• Increased or decreased frequency of droppings

(FYI: Be prepared—if you suspect illness, your veterinarian may ask you to bring in a sample of your bird's droppings for testing.)

Additional physical indicators 

Pay close attention for any of these additional symptoms of illness in your avian friend:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Blocked nostrils
• Watery eyes
• Labored breathing
• Crusty beak or eyes
• Wet, matted feathers on face and head
• Dull or damaged feathers

If you notice any of the above symptom, or anything else unusual about your bird's behavior or appearance, please consult your veterinarian ASAP.

Of course, you needn't wait until you think your bird is sick to schedule an appointment. To keep your bird in good condition, experts suggest an annual visit to the vet. Weight loss or gain, often an indicator of illness, will be checked, and any necessary tests can help the veterinarian monitor your pet's health.