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how_to_recognise_a_sick_bird [2025/10/11 23:37] – created administratorhow_to_recognise_a_sick_bird [2025/10/11 23:45] (current) administrator
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 ====== How to Recognise a Sick Bird ====== ====== How to Recognise a Sick Bird ======
  
-Wild animals, and in particular birds, will try very hard not to show any signs of disease or of being unwell. This survival strategy makes it often difficult to actually notice that a bird is ill or injured. This common problem can lead to a delay in treatment, which sadly often means that with progressing time it becomes more difficult or even impossible to save the animal. To establish whether a bird is diseased or not, it is necessary to closely observe the animal in question, sometimes for a longer period of time. In any case, if the bird is not in immediate danger, then observing the bird from a safe distance is usually very informative. Whilst observing the bird, it might also be a good idea and the right time to get in touch with a local rehabber or wildlife rescue to obtain expert advice or assistance.+{{ :carrion_crow_colin.jpeg?200|}}Wild animals, and in particular birds, will try very hard not to show any signs of disease or of being unwell. This survival strategy makes it often difficult to actually notice that a bird is ill or injured. This common problem can lead to a delay in treatment, which sadly often means that with progressing time it becomes more difficult or even impossible to save the animal. To establish whether a bird is diseased or not, it is necessary to closely observe the animal in question, sometimes for a longer period of time. In any case, if the bird is not in immediate danger, then observing the bird from a safe distance is usually very informative. Whilst observing the bird, it might also be a good idea and the right time to get in touch with a local rehabber or wildlife rescue to obtain expert advice or assistance.
  
 ===== Fluffed up Plumage ===== ===== Fluffed up Plumage =====
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 When a bird is sitting stationary on the same spot for a longer period of time, then this is often an indication that a bird is not feeling well. This behaviour becomes even more suspicious, if the bird is sitting motionless with closed eyes on one spot during daytime, appears fluffed up and has put his or her head underneath its wing. Birds have a higher metabolic rate and body temperature than mammals, and can’t get a fever to fend off an infection. The result is that poorly birds frequently suffer of hypothermia. To counteract the temperature loss, birds will fluff up their plumage. This response improves insulation and allows birds to maintain a higher body temperature. When a bird is sitting stationary on the same spot for a longer period of time, then this is often an indication that a bird is not feeling well. This behaviour becomes even more suspicious, if the bird is sitting motionless with closed eyes on one spot during daytime, appears fluffed up and has put his or her head underneath its wing. Birds have a higher metabolic rate and body temperature than mammals, and can’t get a fever to fend off an infection. The result is that poorly birds frequently suffer of hypothermia. To counteract the temperature loss, birds will fluff up their plumage. This response improves insulation and allows birds to maintain a higher body temperature.
  
-===== Level 2 Headline =====+===== Posture =====
  
 Healthy birds will commonly sleep standing on one leg. If a bird becomes unwell or weak, he or she will rather sleep on both legs. However, a bird might occasionally hold one leg up when the leg is injured, or when the bird is suffering of an internal infection. Injured or weak birds may show a slight tremor, have an unsteady gait, and stand or walk with legs being more apart than usual. One can also frequently see that poorly birds have an arched back, which looks like they have got a hump. This is particular evident in birds having suffered a spinal injury. Abnormally rotated legs and drooped wings are reliable indicators of traumatic injuries requiring human assistance. Healthy birds will commonly sleep standing on one leg. If a bird becomes unwell or weak, he or she will rather sleep on both legs. However, a bird might occasionally hold one leg up when the leg is injured, or when the bird is suffering of an internal infection. Injured or weak birds may show a slight tremor, have an unsteady gait, and stand or walk with legs being more apart than usual. One can also frequently see that poorly birds have an arched back, which looks like they have got a hump. This is particular evident in birds having suffered a spinal injury. Abnormally rotated legs and drooped wings are reliable indicators of traumatic injuries requiring human assistance.
  
-===== Level 2 Headline =====+===== Breathing =====
  
 Breathing is barely noticeable in healthy birds. When breathing becomes noticeable, and appears constantly laboured, then there is strong suspicion that the bird is suffering of a lung infection or trauma to the lungs. Breathing may become noisy or raspy, and the bird’s tail may start to whip slightly. The bird might also be forced to breath with an opened beak, when the respiratory distress is increasing. If the bird shows a swelling around the neck or chest, then this could be caused by an air sac injury. Air sacs are part of the respiratory system of birds and when injured, then these birds most likely need surgical intervention to drain excess air and to relief the increasing pressure, which makes breathing progressively difficult. Wet areas around nostrils, beak and upper neck, in particular when seen in pigeons, doves and finches, can indicate an intestinal infection, which is most commonly caused by canker or trichomoniasis. Coughing, shortness of breath, frequent gaping and excess saliva production are also signs of a gape or lung worm infestation, which in any case requires treatment. Breathing is barely noticeable in healthy birds. When breathing becomes noticeable, and appears constantly laboured, then there is strong suspicion that the bird is suffering of a lung infection or trauma to the lungs. Breathing may become noisy or raspy, and the bird’s tail may start to whip slightly. The bird might also be forced to breath with an opened beak, when the respiratory distress is increasing. If the bird shows a swelling around the neck or chest, then this could be caused by an air sac injury. Air sacs are part of the respiratory system of birds and when injured, then these birds most likely need surgical intervention to drain excess air and to relief the increasing pressure, which makes breathing progressively difficult. Wet areas around nostrils, beak and upper neck, in particular when seen in pigeons, doves and finches, can indicate an intestinal infection, which is most commonly caused by canker or trichomoniasis. Coughing, shortness of breath, frequent gaping and excess saliva production are also signs of a gape or lung worm infestation, which in any case requires treatment.
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