Bird Species & Diseases They are Most Susceptible to
Index of Bird Diseases ... Symptoms & Potential Causes
African Greys ... Amazon Parrots ... Australian Parakeets ... Budgerigars ... Brown-headed Parrots ... Caiques ... Canaries ... Chickens ... Cockatiels ... Cockatoos ... Conures ... Eclectuses ... Finches ... Grey-cheeked Parakeets ... Hawk-headed Parrots ... Jardine's Parrots ... Lories / Lorikeets ... Lovebirds ... Macaws ... Mynah ... Pheasants ... Pigeons ... Pionus ... Poicephalus ... Poultry ... Ringneck Parakeets ... Rosellas ... Softbills / Toucans
Australian Parakeets (Rosellas, Neophemas, etc.)
- Respiratory Signs, Chronic Depression, Weightloss: Aspergillosis (fungal disease), bacterial infections / pneumonia, nutritional deficiencies (Hypovitaminosis A), Chlamydiosis / Psittacosis / Parrot Fever, inhaled toxins.
- Intestinal and proventricular worms
- Fatty Liver Syndrome
- Highly susceptible to: Polyoma
- Respiratory Signs, Chronic Depression, Weightloss: Aspergillosis (fungal disease), bacterial infections / pneumonia, nutritional deficiencies (Hypovitaminosis A), Psittacosis / Parrot Fever, inhaled toxins
- Giardia Infections (often causing plucking)
- Chronic Egg-laying ... The Accident Prone Grey Cheek - by Beverly Marsh Avian Tuberculosi ... Feather Plucking / Mutilation
- Susceptible to: Polyoma
- Respiratory Signs, Chronic Depression, Weightloss: Aspergillosis
- Respiratory Signs, Chronic Depression, Weightloss: Aspergillosis (fungal disease), bacterial infections / pneumonia, nutritional deficiencies (Hypovitaminosis A), inhaled toxins
- Listlessness, Regurgitation, Dyspnea, Weight Loss, Diarrhea, Coughing, Wheezing, Syncope: Iron Storage Disease and related entities - excessive accumulation of iron in the liver. Most of the affected birds with acute signs die.
Canker (Trichomoniasis, more commonly known as “pigeon canker)
Pionus Parrots are relatively healthy, though they are more susceptible to aspergillosis infections than other species. The main symptom is heavy, belabored breathing. The pionus is also susceptible to the following diseases:
- Bacterial and fungal infections
- Feather-picking
- Mate aggression
- Psittacosis (Parrot Fever)
- Pox virus infection (Primary disease of imported birds)
- Toe necrosis
- Toxicity, ingestion of metals
- Vitamin A deficiency / Poor eating habits - Vitamin A occurs in orange-colored produce, such as apricots, cantaloupes, carrots, red peppers, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. To resolve Vitamin A deficiency, try adding foods like sweet potatoes (either cooked or steamed until soft), mashed up with other fruits will be both loved by your pet bird, as much as it is good for her or him. Many birds also enjoy fresh carrot juice - or try offering shredded carrots. Natural sources are preferable over synthetically produced nutrients, which may not be absorbable and could easily be overdosed).
- Wheezing / Snorting: When excited or frightened, birds of this genus may make a characteristic wheezing or snorting sound that is sometimes mistaken for a sign of distress.
Poicephalus / Brown-headed parrots
Generally healthy birds. However, the following diseases have been reported in this species:
- Chlamydiosis (Psittacosis)
- Psittacine beak and feather disease
- Feather picking
- Fatty liver syndrome
- Respiratory diseases
- Aspergillosis
- Bacterial, viral, fungal diseases
- Calcium deficiency disorder - Caused by a deficiency in calcium, which can be addressed by a supplementation (calcium and Vitamin D). Indoor pets particularly tend to suffer from this. Natural sunlight or full-spectrum light may be helpful in treating the condition.
Ringneck Parakeets:
- Ringneck parakeets are generally relatively healthy birds. The following diseases have been reported in this species:
Highly susceptible to:
- Polyoma
- Sarcocystosis
- Aspergillosis (fungal disease)
- Bacterial infections (pneumonia)
- Hypovitaminosis A
- Psittacosis
- Susceptible to: Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, PBFD, Beak & Feather
- Listlessness, Regurgitation, Dyspnea, Weight Loss, Diarrhea, Coughing, Wheezing, Syncope: Iron Storage Disease and related entities - excessive accumulation of iron in the liver. Most of the affected birds with acute signs die.
- Weightloss, Glucosuria, Hyperclyemia, Polyuria (excessive urination), Polydipsia: Idiopathic diabetes mellitus - probably dietary related.
- Hemochromatosis - A Metabolic Disease of Softbills
Remember: All diseases associated with the listed symptoms are only SUGGESTED. There could be many other diseases causing those symptoms!
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