Signs of illness in pet birds: when to see the vet

Why birds hide illness

In the wild, a weak bird becomes easy prey, so birds act as if nothing is wrong. A sick bird may crack seeds as if eating without actually eating, and by the time signs are obvious the illness is often advanced.

Signs to watch for

• Fluffed feathers for long periods, or closed, sleepy eyes during the day.
• Sitting on the cage floor or struggling to perch.
• Eating less, or losing weight.
• Changes in the colour, texture or amount of droppings.
• Discharge from the eyes or nostrils, or sneezing.
• Tail bobbing with each breath, or open-mouth breathing at rest (serious).
• Vomiting or regurgitation, or any bleeding (almost always an emergency).

Helpful habits for bird owners

• Weigh your bird regularly on a digital kitchen scale; a 10% weight loss, or weight dropping 3 days in a row, is reason enough to see the vet.
• Don’t clean the cage before a vet visit; the droppings help with diagnosis.
• Keep your bird away from the kitchen.

A hidden danger: non-stick cookware fumes

Pans and appliances coated with PTFE (Teflon), including some air fryers, can release fumes when heated that may kill a bird quickly, even in another room and without the pan visibly burning. In a home with birds, stainless steel, cast iron or glass cookware is safer. If your bird is exposed, turn off the heat, move them to fresh air and come to the vet straight away, even if they seem fine.