Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)
Part of a new family of viruses known as circoviridae, PBFD virus is the smallest known virus capable of causing disease. The actual host range is not yet clear but it appears that most psittacines (parrots and parakeets) are susceptible.
Incubation periods for PBFD vary from 21 days to a maximum of about 18 months. Tell tale signs of this viral disease include abnormalities in the feathers or beak. Although the disease is often thought of as one affecting Cockatoos, other parrot species have been diagnosed with this illness.
In
young birds, PBFD is usually rapidly fatal; in older parrots, the disease
can take up to several years after infection for symptoms to develop and the
bird may succumb to other infections in its weakened state.
Clinical signs include rapid weight loss, depression, shedding of developing feathers, development of abnormal feathers, beak elongation and abnormal growth leading to eventual death. Viral transmission is possible through direct contact with infected droppings, crop secretions, infected materials and surfaces, and feather dust.
Affected birds which have moulted since contracting the disease have ragged plumage with missing feathers, often mistaken for feather plucking. Examination of the feathers shows that they are fractured and may have several fault lines or stress marks. Feathers may be short or curled. Often there is blood in the quill.
If you suspect that your bird has this disease, isolate it immediately from other birds. Take feather samples to your avian vet or send them to a laboratory for testing, such as 'Avian Biotech International'
Sadly, most birds suffering from PBFD do not recover. Currently no cure or vaccine exists for PBFD, and in individual pet birds with the disease should be isolated from other pet parrots for the rest of their lives to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Research and Information obtained from:-
The Loving care of pet parrots by Rosemary Low
Avian Disease Testing - Avian Biotech International (UK)
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