What are the symptoms of parrot fever in birds?

Parrot fever, also known as psittacosis or ornithosis, is a bacterial infection that can affect both birds and humans. The responsible organism is _Chlamydia psittaci_, a gram-negative intracellular bacteria.

In birds, the symptoms of parrot fever can vary depending on the strain of the bacteria and the species of bird. Some common symptoms include:

- Respiratory symptoms: Birds with parrot fever may show signs of respiratory distress, such as coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. They may also have a nasal discharge.

- Lethargy: Birds with parrot fever may be lethargic and inactive. They may not eat or drink normally, and they may spend more time sitting on the bottom of the cage.

- Diarrhea: Birds with parrot fever may have watery or bloody diarrhea.

- Weight loss: Birds with parrot fever may experience weight loss due to their decreased appetite and increased energy requirements to fight the infection.

- Seizures: In some cases, birds with parrot fever may experience seizures.

- Skin lesions: In rare cases, birds with parrot fever may develop skin lesions.

It's important to note that not all birds with parrot fever will show all of these symptoms. Some birds may only have a few mild symptoms, while others may become severely ill.