PBFD – beak and feather disease

PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease) is a contagious viral disease of parrots caused by a circovirus. It most often affects young birds, damages the feathers and beak and weakens the immune system. The disease is usually chronic and there is no cure, but good care and isolation can prolong and ease the life of a sick bird and protect other birds.

The cause is psittacine circovirus. It can occur in almost all parrot species and is often found in cockatoos, African greys, lovebirds, budgerigars and Alexandrine parakeets. Birds under three years old are the most susceptible.

The virus spreads:

• through feather dust and dander, which birds inhale or swallow;
• through droppings and crop secretions, especially when parents feed their young;
• through contaminated cages, dishes, toys, clothing and hands;
• by buying or exchanging birds without testing them first.

The virus is extremely resistant and can survive for months in the environment, in dust and on objects. That is why the disease is easily brought into a home or breeding facility and hard to eradicate.

Acute form (young chicks):

• sudden weakness, loss of appetite and lethargy;
• crop stasis, diarrhoea;
• abnormal feathers that grow in wrongly or fall out;
• often death within a few days to weeks.

Chronic form (older young and adult birds):

• new feathers grow in deformed: pinched, curled, short or with blood in the shaft;
• the feather sheaths do not fall off, feathers fall out easily and the bird gradually goes bald;
• in cockatoos the feather powder disappears, so the beak becomes unusually shiny and dark;
• African greys may develop red feathers among the grey ones;
• the skin becomes scaly, red or discoloured;
• the beak overgrows, breaks, peels or dies off, so the bird has difficulty eating;
• weight loss and loss of interest in the surroundings.

Because of their weakened immunity, sick birds more easily pick up other infections, bacterial and fungal, which are often the direct cause of death.

• The bird stops eating or cannot eat because of a damaged beak.
• The beak is cracked, bleeding or breaking.
• The bird is losing weight quickly, sits with ruffled feathers and does not respond to its surroundings.
• Diarrhoea, vomiting or difficulty breathing appear.
• A young chick suddenly loses feathers or its feathers do not grow normally.

If you notice only feather changes and the bird is otherwise lively, still contact a vet as soon as possible, as an early diagnosis protects the other birds in the home.

The vet takes a blood sample and, if needed, feathers for a PCR test. A positive result in a bird without symptoms is usually repeated after about three months, because some birds manage to overcome the virus while others remain permanently infected. Feather changes can also be caused by polyomavirus, parasites or a poor diet, so testing is the only reliable way to confirm PBFD.

There is no cure for PBFD. The aim is to maintain a good quality of life and prevent secondary infections:

• the vet treats secondary bacterial or fungal infections with medication they prescribe, for example antibiotics or antifungals;
• an overgrown or damaged beak should be trimmed and shaped only by a vet;
• provide good-quality, varied food, and softer food if the bird has difficulty eating;
• a bald bird loses heat quickly, so keep it in a warm room without draughts;
• reduce stress: a calm environment, a fixed routine and no sudden changes;
• go for regular check-ups so that secondary infections are detected in time.

Some birds with the chronic form live for months or years with good care. When a bird is in pain and can no longer eat, talk openly with your vet about the next steps.

• Keep the sick bird in a separate room, preferably without shared air with other birds.
• Use separate dishes, toys and cleaning equipment for it.
• Feed and clean the sick bird last, then wash your hands and change your clothes.
• Remove feather dust with a damp cloth and a vacuum cleaner with a fine filter – never by dry sweeping.
• Test all new birds before they come into the home and keep them separate for at least a month.
• Do not take a sick bird to shows or use it for breeding.

PBFD is not dangerous to humans or to pets other than birds, but people can carry the virus on their clothes and hands.

PBFD is a chronic and incurable disease of parrots, but with good care and regular veterinary check-ups a sick bird can live for a long time. The most important thing is to consistently isolate the sick bird and test every new one so that the virus does not spread.