How to Prevent External Parasites in Birds?
Chirping sounds, rich shades, and delightful eyes; all of these come into our minds when we think of birds. They fill our lives with soothing music and beautiful views and uplift our moods. Unfortunately, these birdies are threatened by some parasites that can cause substantial damage to them such as feather loss, unusual behavior, etc., if left unattended. These parasites, be they external or internal, are difficult to recognize and cause great problems.
Protecting our cute feathered companions from these parasites and keeping them healthy is important. In this blog, we will discuss the different types of parasites that affect birds and ways to prevent them.
Let’s get started!
Which External Parasites Affect Birds?
Most Common External parasites that affect birds include:
> Lice:
Lice are small biting insects that feed on skin scales and feather debris and can live on a bird for their entire life. They lay eggs along the shaft of the feather and cause extreme discomfort to the bird leading to loss of feathers and weight as a result.
> Mite:
Mites are small, eight-legged bloodsuckers that carry various diseases. Red mites, the most commonly found parasite, live on the skin, Scaly face mites live in the skin and quill mites live in the feather shaft. They weaken the feather shaft, cause blood loss, and itchy skin, and damage the feathers. Mites suck the blood out of birds which can prove to be fatal if they do not receive timely treatment.
> Fleas:
Fleas are small, dark-colored, blood-sucking parasites that jump in the air and can survive without food for a long duration. You can find stick-fast fleas in the bird’s nest, between wall cracks, and on floors. Birds rarely have dog and cat fleas.
> Ticks:
Ticks are small, flat, oval-shaped parasites that stick to the bird’s skin and cause weakness and paralysis. They (paralysis ticks) can make the bird paralyzed, if not removed on time. Make sure you remove the tick by following the right procedure as soon as you find it on your birdie.
> Worms:
Worms like threadworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and caecal worms affect caged birds and cause various stomach and intestinal issues along with organ damage. They attack the bird’s digestive tract, causing weakness, weight loss, and digestive issues. Worms can be treated with Avitrol Plus Wormer Tablet which comes in an oral form and provides broad protection against multiple worms including threadworms, caecal worms, roundworms, gapeworms, gizzard worms, and tapeworms.
Interesting Read: Lifespan of Parrots
Ways to Prevent External Parasites:-
As it is rightly said, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so let’s have a look at the different prevention and control measures to keep bird parasites at bay:
> Maintain cleanliness:
Make sure you maintain good hygiene in and around the bird environment. Wash your hands before and after dealing with the bird cage and keep your clothing and shoes clean. Disinfect housing, aviary panels, cages, and sunbathe birds regularly. Feed fresh food and water to birds in order to avoid contamination. In addition to this, maintain good sanitation and prevent any water collection in the environment as it can become a breeding pool for parasites.
> Prevent bird-to-bird contact:
Many parasites get transmitted from bird-to-bird contact, especially from wild birds and rodents. Therefore, make sure you keep a proper check on your birds and prevent their contact with any outside bird that can potentially transfer parasites.
> Quarantine sick birds:
It is essential to quarantine sick birds from the main flock as they can transmit diseases. Isolate new birds from the existing ones until you check them for parasites to prevent any transmission.
> Routine checkup:
Regularly monitor all the birds in the cage for parasites as it will help in the early detection of anything unusual. In case you notice any symptoms of illness, seek veterinary help immediately.
Final Words
Birds require meticulous care, attention, and a safe environment to thrive and stay healthy and happy. As responsible caregivers, we always look out for ways to keep our feathered friends protected from potential diseases caused by parasites. Through this blog, educate yourself about the different parasites that can affect your bird and some simple ways by which you can prevent them and safeguard your beloved birdie. Speak to the vet for tailored recommendations.
