Recognizing Signs of Illness in Birds From Association of Avian Veterinarians Newsletter Early signs of illness in birds are frequently not recognized by the pet owner. As a survival tactic in the wild, a sick bird will attempt to maintain a normal appearance as long as possible, so that by the time any signs of illlness are apparent, the bird may have been ill for some time. For this reason, owners should familiarize themselves with early signs of illness in pet birds so that any therapy and care by their avian veterinarian will have a more favorable outcome. Paper towels, newspaper or other smooth surfaces can be used to line the cage bottom so that the number, volume, color, and consistency of the droppings can be noted daily.
Normal feces can vary somewhat in color and consistency, depending on the diet.
Diets high in seed content usually produce homogenous black or dark green feces. A diet high in vegetable and fruit matter may increase the urine component. Thus the owner should evaluate several droppings under normal circumstances before becoming alarmed. A temporary incubator can be made by placing a heating pad along the side or floor of the cage and draping the entire cage with plastic wrap, a blanket or cage cover. An infra-red or 100 watt light can be used as an alternate heat source.