Routine care and general information on Small Psittacines
Among the countless bird species (nearly 9,000), the psittacid family, order Psittaciformes, has for centuries attracted the attention of humans, particularly because of the ability of some of these birds to imitate sounds and speech.
This family brings together more than 300 species, but we will focus on only a few of the most representative ones.
Along with the canary, the budgerigar is one of the most popular birds. Young cockatiels tame very easily and are not very noisy. The vast group of Australian parakeets is made up of birds with splendid colouring. Lovebirds, relatively noisy birds, can become very tame, provided they are hand-reared early.
CLASSIFICATION
BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
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Common diseases
Like all birds, these small parakeets hide illness for a long time: by the time the signs become visible, the situation is often already serious.
A bird that keeps its feathers fluffed up, stays motionless at the bottom of the cage, dozes or refuses to eat should alert you. In the bird, these subtle signs are often already late ones: you must not wait.
A diet based solely on seeds eventually lacks certain vitamins (especially vitamin A). Boredom, stress or loneliness can also drive the bird to pluck out its feathers (feather plucking). The beak and claws can also grow too long.
The budgerigar quite often develops lumps (tumours): any lump or swelling that appears warrants a check. In the female, an egg can become stuck (egg binding): she stays puffed up, at the bottom of the cage, and strains without result. This is an emergency.
When to see a vet promptly repeatedly puffed-up feathers, a less lively bird, the appearance of a lump or swelling, plucked feathers, an overgrown beak or claws, abnormal droppings (colour, runny) that persist.
When to see a vet urgently difficult breathing (open beak, tail bobbing with each breath), a bird prostrate at the bottom of the cage refusing to eat, a fluffed-up female straining without managing to lay.
Key points in birds, a visible sign is often already a late one: do not wait. A varied diet and company prevent many problems. This information does not replace a consultation.