African Grey Parrot Virus

African Grey parrots belong to the Psittacine family of birds. It is a medium-sized bird that can be found primarily in the rainforests of South Africa. African Greys are renowned for their ability to mimic sound and can be easily trained to "talk". It is this aspect coupled with an extremely docile nature that makes these birds popular pets. There are two distinct species of African Grey parrots, the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey. Both species are highly susceptible to becoming infected with Psittacine beak and feather disease.

  1. Identification

    • The psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a viral disease that destroys the tissues in the beak and feathers of many psittacine birds; however it is primarily found in African Grey parrots, budgerigars, cockatoos and macaws. The virus also suppresses the immune system, making the bird vulnerable to opportunistic infections. In many cases, the virus is fatal.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of PBFD include abnormally formed feathers, missing feathers, malformed beaks, loss of appetite, diarrhea and regurgitation. Some birds may have silent infections that do not manifest symptoms until the bird dies.

    Susceptibility

    • The disease most often strikes younger birds, however, older birds can become infected. Infection occurs when an infected bird comes into contact with a non-infected bird. It is for this reason that all new birds being introduced into environments where another bird is already established should be quarantined for a period of at least two to three weeks. Virus particles can be inhaled or ingested. Dust particles and feces have been identified as having large volumes of virus particles.

    Diagnosis

    • Identifying PBFD can be tricky as the symptoms often mimic those of feather plucking. Because younger birds have not developed the habit of feather plucking, feather loss in these birds can most often be attributed to the virus. Another good indicator for PBFD is the location of the feather loss. If feathers are falling out from areas that cannot be reached by the beak, such as the head and crest area, odds are the bird is suffering from the disease. Blood tests can confirm the presence of the disease.

    Prognosis

    • There are no known cures or vaccines for this virus. Treatment includes proper supportive care of the bird such as providing good-quality nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and a clean, stress-free environment. In most cases, the bird will eventually succumb to a secondary bacterial or viral infection, though a few will survive.