In the wild, there are only 5 major diseases that birds suffer from. These can be viral or bacterial in nature. Caged birds are quite similar, but they may have additional problems that stem from diet or environmental causes.

It is extremely difficult for a bird owner to identify exactly what is wrong with their bird, but there are some warning signs that bird owners should know. Birds, by nature, attempt to hide their illness, which is a weakness in the animal kingdom. Bird owners should also be aware that by the time they recognize any of these potential illness symptoms, their bird may have already been sick for a week or more and prompt veterinary care is a must.

The following is a list symptoms that can alert you to illness.

• Discharge from the eyes
• Change in clarity or color of the eyes
• Closing of the eyes
• Swelling around the eyes
• Discharge from the nostrils or crusting around the nostrils
• Obstructed nostrils
• Soiling feathers on head or around nostrils
• Sneezing
• Reduced appetite or not eating at all
• Fluffed-up feathers
• Inactivity
• Droopy wings
• Decreased preening and feather maintenance
• Changes in vocalization
• Inability to perch - you will see this as your bird sitting on the cage bottom
• Limping or not bearing weight on 1 leg
• Change in quality or quantity of droppings
• Open-mouthed breathing when at rest
• Tail pumping (rhythmic back and forth motion of the tail when at rest)