Giardia infection in cockatiels is poorly understood and hard to diagnosis. A bird often has no problems, appears perfectly healthy yet is a carrier of a bug and may be shedding the protozoan parasite to other birds in the aviary. We often make a clinical diagnosis based on clinical signs and history.
Giardia cockatiels seem to be intensely itchy.
They start chewing and feather plucking over the back and shoulders and progressively work their way to the underside of the wings and breast. These birds literally cannot sit still. They are very agitated and are constantly moving or picking. They usually have good appetites and appear bright and alert. Often times the keel is somewhat prominent indicating malnutrition.