Just as you must know the signs of a healthy Eclectus parrot, you must also know what to look for that may signify illness. You also need to know when a situation warrants care from a trained veterinarian. Here are some common signs of illness in Eclectus parrots.Diarrhea -If your Eclectus parrot is suffering from diarrhea, there could be numerous causes. The first thing to do is to stop all fruits. The second thing to do is to ensure that your bird is getting enough water, so that he doesn’t become dehydrated. Next, figure out the cause. It could be as simple as a recent change in his diet, or as serious as a parasite problem. You should consult your veterinarian.

Feather Plucking -Feather plucking means that the bird is literally plucking his own feathers out of his body. This is most often caused by boredom, but could also be caused by a problem with his diet, or an actual illness. This is often remedied by paying more attention to the bird, providing him with new toys, giving him more room to move around, and things of this nature. If the behavior doesn’t stop, consult a veterinarian.

Polyoma Virus-The Polyoma Virus is deadly for Eclectus parrots. It is wise to have your bird vaccinated as early as possible against this fatal disease. Signs of Polyoma Virus include loss of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy; however one of the worst signs is sudden death. This means that your bird could die from this dreadful disease before he shows any other symptoms.

Psittacine Beak and Feather -This can be a serious disease if it is not treated as soon as possible. Symptoms of PBF include strange feather colors, loss of feathers, and deformities of the beak. See your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Other serious signs of illness include sitting on the floor of the aviary, plucked feathers, soiled feathers, feathers in disarray, swollen beak, coughing, wheezing, runny stools, discolored stool, hobbling on one foot, discharge from the eyes, runny nose, red eyes, swollen eyes, and lack of appetite.

When in doubt, go to the veterinarian. Don’t take chances with your precious Eclectus parrots life. Some illness can literally take your birds life in the amount of time it takes you to decide to make an appointment with your veterinarian. When things don’t look right, immediately make that appointment. Let the veterinarian know what is going on, so he can determine whether the bird should be brought right into the office or if it can wait.

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