For our avian admirers...
Pet Bird Health
Birds are very good at hiding illness. At least long enough that it can progress to a point the situation can become dire. A necessary part of caring for a pet bird is having a veterinarian nearby that specializes in avian health or at least is well-versed in their biology and treatment. There are many behavioral issues that manifest in pet birds that affect their mental health as well. Some will incessitantly shriek or over-preen themselves to the point they pull most of their feathers out. They might show aggression or refuse food. They may sulk off in a corner and ignore you when you approach. These are all indicators that something in the bird's environment is not agreeable. Birds afflicted with a clinical illness may display similar changes in behavior, especially cowering or refusal of food or a decrease in activity. Either way, if you bird becomes symptomatic you should seek veterinary care for him so his health can be accessed by a trained professional. Birds are quite fragile when it concerns their health. They do not store much fat at all and if they go off food, their health can deteriorate quickly because their metabolisms are so active. With no nutrients and energy coming into their systems, a simple respiratory infection can turn fatal within just a matter of days. The following is a list of tips to help keep your pet bird safe and healthy.
-
Keep the cage out of direct sunlight. Of course light affects their behavior and mental health, but a concentrated beam of light coming through a window can overheat your bird very quickly. You can keep him in a room that gets sunshine, but in a part of the room that is somewhat shaded. You can stimulate natural behavior patterns by making use of a fluorescent fixture with a full-spectrum bulb on a timer. The bird will get the benefits of natural light without the excess heat that comes from prolonged exposure to solar radiation.
-
Keep the cage away from drafts, excess noise and kitchen fumes. Birds are extremely sensitive creatures. They are biologically predisposed to being alert and somewhat guarded because they are so often preyed upon in the wild. They have evolved to depend on their senses to keep themselves safe and avoid predators. Loud noises or sudden changes to their environment stress them out to a dangerous degree. They like to be stimulated by hearing pleasant sounds such as soft or energetic music-even the noise of household appliances! Drafts can chill them, stress them out and weaken them to the point they develop a respiratory infection. Kitchen fumes can be deadly to birds, especially those coming off coated pans on the stove or from aerosol-propelled sprays.
-
Feed your bird a high-quality diet that includes a seed-based mixture, pellets, dried veggies and fruits, and some fresh ones. All birds have different preferences for where they get their nutrients so this might take a little experimentation.
-
Keep a vitamin/mineral bar in your bird's cage. Not only does it give him something to chew on to occupy his time, it also wears his beak down and gives him a source of calcium and other key nutrients.
-
A bored bird is a not a happy bird. Birds are very active, inquisitive and lively. They need visual and tactile stimulation to keep them from getting depressed. Yes, animals get depressed too, especially in captivity. Provide a variety of toys and activities for you bird to keep him happy and healthy.
-
Have a regular “bedtime” scheduled for your bird. This involves covering his cage and toning down the noise in the household. Birds usually settle down after sunset and are raring to go at dawn, so you might be able to get an hour or two more sleep if you cover his cage. Otherwise, when the sun rises, so will he with a lot of chatter and noise making.
-
Check your bird’s droppings for signs of changes in health. Normal droppings are small with a white cap, relatively dry and have no smell. Wet, loose feces with a foul odor are a definite sign your bird is in danger. Please note that birds that are highly frugivorous (fruit and nectar eating) will have wetter, looser stools than birds that feed on nuts, seeds and grains. The stool should be ashen or coal colored. If it is green, that is another sign something is going on.
-
Another thing to look for is if your bird “puffs” up his feathers and perches during the day when he is normally active. When birds get ill, they lose heat very quickly and their body temperature falls, which is very dangerous. Normally they are very warm. When birds get sick, the food they eat, even the normal amount, does not provide enough energy to maintain the bird’s high body temperature (usually around 106 degrees Fahrenheit for the body core and a degree or two lower for the feet) and fight whatever pathogen is affecting it, so the body temperature drops so that energy can be rerouted to fight the illness. This is why your vet will recommend you warm him with an infrared heat lamp or mat heater to help him recover.
-
Provide natural perches of a varying thickness, like ironwood branches to exercise the bird’s feet and wear down his nails. A mineral stone will help keep his beak in shape. If either becomes overgrown, it is recommended you have them trimmed by a trained professional. Many vets offer this service at a nominal cost.
-
Keep an eye on your bird’s cere (the band of flesh across the upper portion of the beak), his nasal openings, and his feet. Scaling of these regions or excessive dryness can signal a variety of maladies that need remedied. Discharge from the nose or eyes is also a sign of illness.