Identifying Illness

How Do I Know When My Cockatiel is Sick?

The information offered here is to provide guidance and is not intended to be a substitute for the good advice provided by your own avian vet. When in doubt always consult your own veterinarian.

Basic Symptoms:

1. Tail bobbing, sitting 'down on the perch' (crouching over its feet), and sitting on the floor of the cage.
2. Your bird 'fluffs up'.
3. Sneezing, clicking respiration (cough), brown-stained feathers above the nostrils (runny nose), or breathing difficulty occurs.
4. Your cockatiel's behavior changes; sleepy, less active, and withdrawn. A change in or loss of voice or song.
5. Loss of appetite or increase appetite.
6. Your bird drinks more water than normal.
7. Droppings become loose, change in colour or amount.
8. A long molt and scratching or feathers plucking occurs.