Can lorikeets recover from beak and feather disease?
Can lorikeets recover from beak and feather disease?
Some birds, such as the rainbow lorikeet, are able to recover from the disease. Individuals that recover become a carrier of the virus and will excrete and spread the virus for the rest of their life. People that have been in contact with an infected bird can spread the disease through their clothing and hair.
Can you cure beak and feather disease?
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for the disease and it is usually fatal. Supportive care can be given and a stress-free environment can extend the life of the bird for quite some time. Infected birds should be kept isolated from non-infected birds as the disease is easily transmitted.
What does beak and feather disease look like?

Juvenile lorikeets exhibit signs of the disease by loss of flight and tail feathers. Feather colour changes are another indication of the disease in some birds – green feathers become yellow; blue feathers become white. Other birds can look “untidy” or “dishevelled”. The disease is most noticeable in Cockatoo species.
How do birds get PBFD?
PBFD is transmitted by direct contact with infected birds or through contamination of water or feeding areas. The virus can be found in feces, feather dust, or crop contents regurgitated for babies. Since PBFD virus is blood-borne, it is believed to also be transmissible from the hen to her eggs.

How can you tell if a lorikeet has beak and feather disease?
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Symptoms vary greatly depending on the species and age of bird. The virus may affect the feathers, beak and claw and suppress the immune system. PBFD should be considered in any parrot, cockatoo or lorikeet showing abnormal loss, colour or development of feathers.
How do I know if my bird has beak and feather disease?
PBFD can be easily recognized by its primary symptoms in the infected birds….Symptom and Types
- Sharp feathers.
- Clubbed feathers.
- Abnormally short feathers (pin feathers)
- Loss of pigment in colored feathers.
- Loss of powder down.
- Bloody shafts in the feathers.
Do rainbow lorikeets carry diseases?
Feeding lorikeets can cause disease and death Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, lethargy and regurgitation. Necrotizing enteritis is associated with poor hygiene and an inadequate diet. The disease is not normally associated with lorikeets living a natural way of life.