EYE DISCHARGE--the bird may be discharging from an eye, or the eyelid may be partly closed. This could indicate a sore, infected eye, and could even be part of a generalized infection or disease. NASAL DISCHARGE--moisture or "caking" around one or both nostrils, which may become plugged. You may see a crusting of the feathers just above or around the nostrils. This is discharge that has dried and built up in the feathers. The word "cold" should not be used in reference to respiratory problems in birds. The human "cold" is a specific virus disease that does not affect birds. CRUSTY BUILD-UP--around the beak, face or legs. It is most common in budgies and could indicate the presence of parasites called cere mites; this disease needs immediate veterinary treatment, or the beak can become permanently deformed. LABOURED BREATHING--usually a symptom of respiratory distress(the birds needs immediate attention). The tail may be bobbing up and down with each breath. These symptoms can indicate respiratory problems, or serious internal problems in the abdominal cavity. SNEEZING--varies from a quiet "Choo" to a little "click", or a pronounced sneeze with shaking of the head. You may see little droplets of moisture sprayed into a mirror or into the air. Sneezing indicates problems in the respiratory tract or sinuses. DON'T BE ALARMED-Birds may sneeze once or twice a day, and may even dig a toenail into a nostril to remove some irritant. Talking birds may mimic coughs or sneezes that they hear from their owners, and these noises should not be confused with a true sneeze or cough brought on by a respiratory infection. EATING LESS WEIGHT CHANGE--will be evident by fewer droppings. Becoming thinner and losing weight. Some interference in the digestive process may result in a bird eating normal or even extra amounts of food, yet still losing weight. A bird usually has to be examined more closely to ascertain the extent of weight loss. The breast bone or keel bone will protrude more as the muscle on either side of it decreases in size. LISTLESSNESS--sitting with feathers fluffed out, body hunched over, head under it wing. The bird is feeling terrible and is telling you it needs help. FEAHTER CHANGES--prolonged moulting; feathers look ragged and sparse. Loss of feathers; the bird may be chewing or picking at them. Extra long downy feathers that grow out beyond the rest. Bare areas where feathers are not regrowing. SWELLING--ususual swelling or enlargements, Be sure to investigate any swellings that suddenly appear. INCREASED IRRITABILITY--an irritable bird is often an ill bird. LAMENESS--Favouring a foot or leg. Lameness can be caused by many different factors. It could be minor or very serious; it is better to have the leg checked than to be sorry later. CHANGE IN DROPPINGS--becoming lighter green or grayish in colour. Normally, the stool is coiled and formed around a whitish urine centre; its colour is green to black. Normal stool will vary in colour and consistency depending in the type of food and amount of water consumed. Greens and fruit cause of looser, greener stool. Drier foods produce a firmer, formed stool. Excess clear or coloured liquid around a formed stool. This is not diarrhoea, but excess urine. It could indicate kidney disease. A decrease in number. This indicates a decrease of food intake. A normal small bird will pass somewhere between 40 to 60 droppings in a 24 hour period. If it passes less than this, it is sick. Twenty stools or less per day means a critically sick bird. Showing red blood. This is symptomatic of bleeding in the lower bowel, urinary tract or cloaca. Showing black blood. This means bleeding in the upper digestive tract. Showing whole or undigested seeds. This indicates severe bowel problems.

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