The Field Guide

Health

Health articles from Beauty of Birds: expert, ethical guidance on caring for and training pet birds.

Fungal & Yeast Infections

Fungal & Yeast Infections are usually associated with seed, corn cobs, old food, humid areas, air conditioners, blow heaters, and wet cages.

Parrot feathers in red, blue, green, yellow, white and grey arranged into a heart shape on cream paper

6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Diseases

Here is all the information about 6 Ways To Prevent Poultry Diseases, (Recommendations also suitable for Exotic Bird Breeders / Aviculturists) by: the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Parrot feathers in red, blue, green, yellow, white and grey arranged into a heart shape on cream paper

Bumble Foot

Bumblefoot occurs in all species of birds; however, this condition is rarely seen in the wild. It is mostly diagnosed in: captive cage or aviary birds and may be the result of improper husbandry (housing/diet).

Parrot feathers in red, blue, green, yellow, white and grey arranged into a heart shape on cream paper

Feather Cysts / Feather Lump

A feather cyst on a bird represents the equivalent of an ingrown hair on a human. Feather cysts are larger in size, of course, since feathers are larger than hairs. The cysts are due to malformation of a developing feather under the skin.

Parrot feathers in red, blue, green, yellow, white and grey arranged into a heart shape on cream paper

Feather Lice

Feather lice are observed as small groupings of tiny dark spots in the webbing of the feathers. Holding a feather up to the light will show feather lice very clearly.

Parrot feathers in red, blue, green, yellow, white and grey arranged into a heart shape on cream paper

Scaly Leg Mites / Tassle Foot / Depluming Scabies

Scaly Leg is most commonly caused by Knemidokoptes - also spelled Cnemidocoptes, which are eight-legged microscopic mites that are related to spiders, ticks, and scorpions - but obviously much smaller in size.

Parrot feathers in red, blue, green, yellow, white and grey arranged into a heart shape on cream paper

Visceral and Articular Gout

Gout or Renal Disorder is the deposition of uric acid crystals (urate deposits) on body organs (visceral gout), in joints (articular gout) or in the ureters (renal constipation).

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