A sick pet can be a stressful thing for any pet owner, especially when that pet is as small and delicate as a bird. Knowing the signs of sickness in your feathered friend can help you identify illness before it becomes too serious. Here are five signs your bird may be unwell and what to do about it. 

Poor Appetite or Weight Loss 

One of the most common signs of illness in birds is a decreased appetite or unexplained weight loss. If your bird is not eating at all, or is eating less than usual, this could be a sign of an underlying condition that needs to be addressed right away. In some cases, this can also lead to dehydration. Watch out for abnormal lethargy, which could mean they’re not getting enough fluids. If either of these symptoms persists, contact your vet immediately for advice. 

Change in Droppings 

It’s important to pay attention to your bird’s droppings, including both the color and consistency. Changes here can indicate health issues such as infections or digestive problems- so make sure you take note if something looks different from usual! It’s also important to keep an eye on how much waste they are producing – if there has been no droppings overnight or over two days, this could signal a problem with their digestive system.  

Feather Plucking 

If you notice your bird plucking its feathers excessively and bald patches beginning to form, this could be a sign of stress or illness due to an environmental change (such as temperature), hormonal imbalance, mites/lice infection or other medical conditions such as liver disease or vitamin deficiency. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice any unexplained feather plucking. 

Changes in Behavior

This one can be harder to detect since every pet has its own unique personality – but changes in behavior such as increased aggression, sleeping more than usual (especially during daylight hours) or hiding under furniture are all potential signs that something else may be going on with them physically. Make sure you take note if these behaviors occur for more than 24 hours and contact your vet for further advice if necessary. 

Lethargy & Disorientation

If you notice that your bird seems unusually weak and disoriented (stumbling around their cage rather than walking normally), this may signal an underlying medical issue that requires immediate attention from your veterinarian. Lethargy is often accompanied by other symptoms such as poor appetite and breathing difficulties so make sure you observe them closely for any changes in behavior over the following few days after noticing it initially – this will help determine whether additional medical intervention is required.  

Keeping an eye out for signs of sickness in our pets is essential – especially when those pets are birds! The above five warning signs are just some of the many possible indicators that something is wrong with our feathered friends; however they should always be taken seriously and investigated further by consulting with a qualified veterinarian immediately if any concerns arise regarding their health and wellbeing. With proper care and attention, we can ensure our beloved birds remain happy and healthy!