#pbfd

[bee-menagerie]

molting and stinky

[the bright greener feathers on her body and the more saturated yellow feathers on her head are all new growth. She even has one primary feather not seen here that has grown in nicely..! I can't wait for her to regain her flight!!]

[birdhism]

See you at the Rainbow Bridge, sweet Rhea. 

[zephyriusynthos]

Spotify shuffle doesn't fit the vibe at all but fuck it we ball

[redbelly-veterinary-diagnostics]

Everything You Need to Know about the Hyacinth Macaw bird

Have you heard of the Hyacinth Macaw? This stunning bird is one of the largest macaws and is truly beautiful. It is known for its vibrant blue feathers and is often called the blue parrot.  This species from the parrot family needs genuine care and attention and when taken care of properly can be the best companion for life. If you want to know more about this bird then you've come to the right place. Redbelly team is here with an article about Hyacinth Macaws. The article will take you through everything you need to know about the bird.  

Origin and appearance of the Hyacinth Macaw  

The scientific name for the Hyacinth Macaw is Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus. Originally from Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia, the hyacinth macaw lives primarily in the scrublands at the outskirts of the rainforest. Its wide range also includes grasslands and lightly forested areas. The bird was first described and cataloged by an English ornithologist and artist John Latham back in the year 1970. In recent years, the bird has experienced a steady decline in the population and ever since then, it has been listed as endangered species.  

Hyacinth Macaws can measure up to 40 inches when measured from beak to tail and a fully grown adult Hyacinth macaw can weigh around 3.5 pounds (1.5 Kgs). The birds are almost entirely blue except for a red forehead, face, and crown, yellow thighs and facial skin, and red bill and legs. The wings are dark blue with a blue leading edge. The upper back is dark brown and the belly is light blue. They have strongly hooked beak and zygodactylous feet (2 toes that point forward and 2 toes that point backward).  

Housing and care  

The right pet parent for a hyacinth macaw is someone who has either kept many birds successfully before or someone who has done a lot of research has consulted the bird diagnostics center experts and knows exactly what they’re getting into. Hyacinth Macaws consume a lot of space and require great care and maintenance.  

These large birds need an exceptionally large house. A “regular” cage isn’t sufficient and this bird is definitely not the right pick for apartment dwellers. Commercial cages are too small and the bird can easily break out of them. A custom cage or one of the very largest commercial cages would do, though a full room, patio or other safely enclosed, the bird-proofed place is better. All birds benefit from flying, and this bird will need a lot of space if it’s going to enjoy this important exercise. Even a hyacinth macaw with trimmed wing feathers needs plenty of space to flap and clamber around. So, be ready to devote a part of your home to this bird if you are willing to own it.  

Like the other members of the parrot family, this bird needs human interaction and attention too. They are social in nature and when left alone, can turn cranky and neurotic, and can begin to self-mutilate and scream excessively.  

Feeding  

Hyacinth macaws need a very specific and healthy diet. They feed on nuts, seeds, fruits, leafy greens, vegetables, and berries. The birds have a very strong beak, which is covered by a thin layer of horn. Their diet consists of about 83% of seeds and 17% of fresh fruits and vegetables. Though these birds feed on different kinds of foods depending on the season, their diet mainly consists of Eucalyptus seeds and Acacia seeds. Hyacinth Macaws require a large number of carbohydrates in their diet more than other parrots and hence it is important to include an ample amount of fruits, vegetables, and macadamia nuts. You can also get a special supplement from the avian food store that your Hyacinth Macaw is sure to enjoy feeding on.

Personality and Behavior  

Generally called a “gentle giant” the Hyacinth Macaw is indeed affectionate, but not as gentle as other birds are. Hyacinth Macaws subdue very easily, but they tend to want to play rough with other parrots, and with their owner. They are also one of the most intelligent parrots and highly sought after.  The birds are very fun-loving, delightful, and a healing force in most people's lives. Hyacinth Macaws don't tolerate abuse or negative treatment and can become withdrawn, depressed, and possibly ill if mistreated.  They enjoy the company of other blue Hyacinth Macaws, and other parrots as well, and do not like being alone in the cage. The birds are social and need regular attention and interaction from their owners. When not given enough attention, the birds might feel lonely, which in turn might turn severe and cause mental and physical health imbalances in them. Hyacinth Macaws are not the best talkers among the parrot species, but the birds are extremely loud and might imitate human voices as well.  

Average lifespan  

When taken care of properly, a Hyacinth macaw could live as long as 60 years and even more, but that will require plenty of dedication and attention. A healthy and balanced diet, proper housing, frequent interaction with the bird, and regular avian veterinary diagnostic center visits are a must.  

Exercise  

Hyacinth Macaws need physical exercises and mental stimulation to stay healthy. Without mental stimulation, they are more likely to develop neurotic behavior, such as feather plucking and screaming. One to two hours daily of exercise time is necessary for the overall health and well-being of your pet bird.  Hyacinth Macaw’s wings can be as large as four feet when spread wide, so you must give your macaw enough space to exercise its broad wings. Take your Macaw outside in a safe area. They might not be able to fly too far, but they will enjoy being out of the cage and will benefit from the fresh air and sun. A bigger area or a fully enclosed aviary is best for these birds. They love to play, so having toys that they can chew on and play with is a must. It is also a good idea to give them plenty of perches, chewable toys, and branches. This will not only keep them occupied but will also add up the strength to their beaks. Macaws are very intelligent birds, and if you spend quality time with them, they will bond closely with you.  

Common health issues

Just like every other bird, the Hyacinth Macaws suffer from a range of health issues. The first thing you should know as a Macaw’s owner is that your bird can suffer from an overgrown beak if it does not have the stuff to peak at, so make sure to keep its beak active by providing enough toys to chew and break. Just like other parrots in the Macaw species, your bird is susceptible to diseases like;

Proventricular dilation disease (macaw wasting disease)

Papillomas

Psittacosis

     To keep your bird healthy and active, ensure to feed it with the healthiest of foods and pay a regular    visit to an avian vet near you. Regular health checkups will help you understand your bird and its health better and makes the parenting journey easier for you and your feather friend.  

We hope you enjoyed our article about Hyacinth Macaws and learned some new things about these beautiful birds. Having a minimum knowledge about a bird species before you own it is a must. If you are interested in adopting a pet bird but would like to learn more about how to take care of a bird before you adopt, please visit an avian veterinary center near you and discuss with the vet the needs of the bird species you are looking forward to adopting. Are you looking for the best avian vet in Chennai? If yes, we have got you covered. Redbelly bird diagnostics offers all kinds of bird health services such as dietary advice, DNA sexing, PBFD test, maintenance guidelines, and more. The team takes care of all your birdie’s needs and handles your bird pet with great care and compassion. Visit our site to book an appointment with us or call us at the number mentioned on the website. If you have any other queries related to bird adoption and health, please do not hesitate to contact us at the details provided on our website. We would be glad to get in touch with you and your feather friend. Thank you!

[redbelly-veterinary-diagnostics]

Keep a Regular check on bird's feathers for mites and slices | Redbelly Veterinary Diagnostics

Red belly is a division of Cavin International Private limited and provides world-class quality services of veterinary diagnostics. Red belly is now Three ye...

[susieq4522020]

A very sad day today when I took Cal to the vet for his final journey! This tough warrior finally could go no more! He went downhill very quickly yesterday when I noticed he struggled getting from the deck to his favourite tree! He finally made it to the feeding trays and ate seed and almonds but late in the afternoon he was still on the kitchen deck under the table! Normally by this time he would be making his journey along that deck up the rose arbour and around the lounge deck to have a drink and get into his tree! I watched him for while and then tried to catch him! He was a wily little devil and would run along the deck and under a chair so I couldn’t get him! My last attempt saw him go under the deck! The cats were in and I left him there checking every so often to see if he would attempt to get to his tree! There he slept overnight and I checked him this morning and there he was! Cats stayed inside as we planned how to coax him out and catch him! Easier said than done! I went out for supplies and when I returned ( after arrow prayers were sent to make it possible to catch him) I arrived home to GK in the driveway with Cal in the cat cage! I put him in the car and drove to WoofPurNay vets so he could at least be put to sleep peacefully! He was so good on the journey occasionally his head popped up but he was close to the end! Tears have flowed for my warrior Cal but I know he’s now flying free with his mates that went before and I’ll see him again! He loved his almonds and afternoons won’t be the same! Goodbye dear friend, I’ll miss you! 😰💔❤️🌈 Enjoy the photos and videos of this amazing bird who tried to beat the hideous Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease. #sulphurcrestedcockatoo #cal #pbfd #wellmeetagain #gonebutneverforgotten #warriorbird #birds_adored #ww_australia #backyardbuddies #birdlifeoz #itsasadday #belovedfriend #thefinalgoodbye #vendredi #été #dec17 https://www.instagram.com/famillebenttail/p/CXkwAyIPmYi/?utm_medium=tumblr

[susieq4522020]

My dear friend Cal! A victim of the insidious Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease! He has survived a cold winter and many times I thought I wouldn’t see him! If the time comes and he’s here I’ll take him to the vet as we’ve down with 3 other cockatoos! For now he won’t let me get too close and he can fly and enjoy his seed and almonds! It’s breaks my heart but i won’t interfere until he lets me know! I love Cal and think he is a very handsome bird! #calthecockatoo #pbfd #sulphurcrestedcockatoo #monami #survivor #canon700d #newcamera ##birds_adored #myhero #respect #ilovebirds #australianbirds #upcloseandpersonal (at Berwick, Victoria) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV7OIWrP4oq/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ainawgsd]

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a viral disease affecting all Old World and New World parrots. It attacks the feather follicles and the beak and claw matrices of the bird, causing progressive feather, claw and beak malformation and necrosis. In later stages of the disease, feather shaft constriction occurs, hampering development until eventually all feather growth stops. Cracking and peeling of the outer layers of the claws and beak make tissues vulnerable to secondary infection. Immunosuppression also occurs and the bird becomes more vulnerable to secondary infections. Beak fractures and necrosis of the hard palate can prevent the bird from eating. It occurs in both an acutely fatal form and a chronic form.

The acute form of the disease is manifested by lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Due to the severe immune system suppression, multiple secondary infections develop, causing death within two to four weeks. Typical confirmation of the acute form of the disease is by necropsy, because it progresses too quickly for the normal signs such as feather loss and beak deformity to appear.The chronic form occurs if the bird's immune system manages to mount a reaction to the virus and any secondary infections. The characteristic feather symptoms need time to develop, as they only appear during the first moult after infection. In those species having powder down, signs may be visible immediately, as powder down feathers are continually replenished.

PBFD is usually acquired by nestlings from their parents or from other members of the flock. The immature immune system of young birds makes them susceptible to the PBFDV. The virus may be transferred in crop secretions, in fresh or dried feces, and in feather and skin particles. Adult birds coming into contact with the virus usually (but not always) develop resistance to it, but the virus is retained in their body and, in most cases, is excreted in feces and feather debris for the rest of their lives.

The ornithologist Edwin Ashby observed a flock of completely featherless red-rumped parrots (Psephotus haematonotus) in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, in 1888. The species then disappeared from the area for several years. The first case of chronic PBFD was reported in a Control and Therapy article in 1972 for the University of Sydney by Ross Perry, in which he described it as "beak rot in a cockatoo". Dr. Perry subsequently studied the disease and wrote extensively about its clinical features in a range of psittacine birds in a long article in which he named the disease "psittacine beak and feather disease syndrome" (PBFDS). This soon became known as psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD). 

PBFD has the potential to become a major threat to all species of wild parrots and to modern aviculture, due to international legal and illegal bird trade. Cases of PBFD have now been reported in at least 78 psittacine species. At least 38 of 50 Australian native species are affected by PBFD, both captive and in the wild. In 2004, PBFD was listed as a key threatening process by the Australian Commonwealth Government for the survival of five endangered species, including one of the few remaining species of migratory parrots, the orange-bellied parrot, of which only an estimated 60 mating pairs remained in 2006.

There is currently no specific treatment for the virus. A vaccine is available, but only experimentally. It has not been released to the public due to the risk it poses to already exposed birds. Therapeutic intervention is limited to treating secondary infections. The individual bird can sometimes recover, but this is rare. If only the feathers are affected and the bird suffers no other symptoms, it can usually experience an acceptable quality of life. But if the bird's beak or nails are affected, veterinarians will recommend euthanasia.

The management of the disease lies thus mostly in prevention. Every new bird that enters a pen with other birds should be quarantined first and be tested for BFDV. Birds which are known carriers should not be introduced into new pens, especially not if those contain young birds.