Candidiasis has also been found to affect the skin, respiratory tract, central nervous system and all other organs. The severity of a candida infection often depends on the age of the bird and the state of its immune system. A very young or very ill bird may initially have a localized candida infection that spreads systemically to the blood, bone marrow, and other organs. Severe stress or immunosuppression can enable a localized infection to become an overwhelming systemic infection. Regurgitation, anorexia, and delayed crop emptying may be present with a candida infection of the crop.
Some birds develop a swollen, mucus-filled crop.
White plaques may be present in the mouth if oral candida is present. Candidiasis may be suspected as a result of the history and clinical signs. Material from the site of infection may be stained with Gram's stain to identify the yeast. Just finding the yeast present is not conclusive of infection. The organism must be budding and causing histologic changes.