Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a highly contagious disease commonly seen in cockatoos and lorikeets. It causes abnormalities in feathers, deformed or overgrown beak and claws, and can suppress their immune system. Sadly, birds with beak and feather disease end up unable to feed properly, becoming weaker and eventually pass away.
The virus can be spread through faeces, feather dust, and orally, and can remain on surfaces for a long time. It is often spread at feeding stations with infected birds often using feeding stations.
What are the signs of PBFD?
PBFD can present in different ways in different species and between animals of the same species, and sometimes may not be obvious at all. It can take weeks or even years for an individual to show symptoms.
In more obvious cases, symptoms include:
- Loss of feathers, abnormal colouration, or abnormal development of feathers.
- Deformed or overgrown beak or claws
- Feather loss and baldness
- Difficulty eating of flying
How to help?
- Avoid feeding wild birds altogether.
- If you must feed birds, clean and disinfect any feeding stations and bird baths thoroughly using an appropriate wildlife disinfectant.
- If you see a bird showing signs of beak and feather disease, call your local wildlife organisation.
- Share with others who may not know about PBFD so they can help too.
Source: https://birdlife.org.au/news/what-is-beak-and-feather-disease/
Featured image ©️ Jay Cameron