Possible PBFD?

mefarhan

New member
Jun 23, 2020
4
0
Hi,

My ringneck is almost 4 months old. I got him when he was 22 days old. About 2 weeks ago I found a flying feather on floor, it was shiny and complete feather so I thought maybe my parrot is replacing his feathers. Then in the evening another one. In next few days I found flying and tails feathers and within 10 days he lost all flying and tail feather. His rest of the feathers are fine though, green and shiny, and the white fur underneath is also there. I didn't saw him plucking/pulling his feathers, I did saw him cleaning all his feathers like all birds do.

Although he looks a bit funny, he eats and plays like normal, loves to sleep on my hand, plays with toys, eats fruits, sings.

I asked on a facebook group and they said it maybe Psittacine beak and feather disease, but if it was the case, shouldn't he be loosing all feathers and not just flying and tail feathers?

Another response I got from facebook group is that it maybe because of calcium deficiency. I'm hoping its calcium deficiency. I don't want it to be PBFD. [emoji853]

Anyone of you had the same experience? Do you have any suggestions? I have an appointment with a vet on weekend. Unfortunately he's not an avian vet.

Waiting for your suggestions.
Regards,
Farhan
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noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
You will have to get a PBFD panel test via blood work. They sometimes produce false negatives, but they are better than nothing. Mine cost me about $300...I want to say....It is worth testing if you have doubts--especially if you see symptoms.
they should be able to send the blood to a lab, even if they can't do it on their own.
 
Last edited:

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Although I would test him, a vitamin panel is not ridiculous at all (as it could be nutritional). It could also be stress-related, although tails aren't typically where you see that sort of plucking.
 
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mefarhan

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Jun 23, 2020
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Thanks for your quick response.

Yesterday I didn't know anything about PBFD. I posted on facebook and they said its PBFD, then I spent some time on google to know more about this viral infection. To be honest, I'm really confused.

Do you think its PBFD? Loosing tail and flying feathers, are these the symptoms of PBFD?

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mefarhan

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Jun 23, 2020
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Although I would test him, a vitamin panel is not ridiculous at all (as it could be nutritional). It could also be stress-related, although tails aren't typically where you see that sort of plucking.
I hope it's stress-related (don't want it to be PBFD).
Vitamin panel is a great idea, I'll definitely try that. Thanks

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noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Thanks for your quick response.

Yesterday I didn't know anything about PBFD. I posted on facebook and they said its PBFD, then I spent some time on google to know more about this viral infection. To be honest, I'm really confused.

Do you think its PBFD? Loosing tail and flying feathers, are these the symptoms of PBFD?

Sent from my Redmi Note 8 using Tapatalk

Hard to say-- PBFD can be transmitted SUPER easily if a bird is just in the room with another bird...it can be shed mother to egg, it can be spread on human clothes and in H-VAC systems (via feather dust)...so, I mean, yeah...it could be....but there is no way to know unless you test, and even then, there is a small margin or error. It can also lay dormant for 10+ years while spreading to other birds, so it is quite tricky.

I would get the test done because feather loss like that can be related to this disease. At the same time, it isn't certain. I am not 100% certain that is what he has... But if you don't test- you risk a lot.

Mine was tested and she was negative-- but that doesn't mean I wouldn't test again.There are lots of things that can cause issues, but for your bird's sake (and for the sake of others) I DO think testing is wroth it--given the age of your bird and the contagion of the possible illness---it will be a weight off your shoulder if your bird is negative
 
Last edited:
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mefarhan

New member
Jun 23, 2020
4
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #8
Thanks for your quick response.

Yesterday I didn't know anything about PBFD. I posted on facebook and they said its PBFD, then I spent some time on google to know more about this viral infection. To be honest, I'm really confused.

Do you think its PBFD? Loosing tail and flying feathers, are these the symptoms of PBFD?

Sent from my Redmi Note 8 using Tapatalk

Hard to say-- PBFD can be transmitted SUPER easily if a bird is just in the room with another bird...it can be shed mother to egg, it can be spread on human clothes and in H-VAC systems (via feather dust)...so, I mean, yeah...it could be....but there is no way to know unless you test, and even then, there is a small margin or error. It can also lay dormant for 10+ years while spreading to other birds, so it is quite tricky.

I would get the test done because feather loss like that can be related to this disease. At the same time, it isn't certain. I am not 100% certain that is what he has... But if you don't test- you risk a lot.

Mine was tested and she was negative-- but that doesn't mean I wouldn't test again.
Yup that makes sense. I'll discuss this with the vet, let's see what he has to say.

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noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
I would just insist on it-- honestly...unless you have an avian certified vet..

An exotics vet will be reluctant because they don't know much about it and they will have to consult their little "bird book" to make the call....Been there, done that.

It could easily be something else, but unless you test, you won't know, and with the loss of a tail at that age, I would want to know.
 
Last edited:

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
TBH--I don't think it is PBFD (it could be though), but I DO think you should test (just to be sure). I would test, just because what you are seeing is abnormal
 
Last edited:

Akshat

New member
Feb 20, 2024
1
1
Parrots
indian rigneck
Hi,

My ringneck is almost 4 months old. I got him when he was 22 days old. About 2 weeks ago I found a flying feather on floor, it was shiny and complete feather so I thought maybe my parrot is replacing his feathers. Then in the evening another one. In next few days I found flying and tails feathers and within 10 days he lost all flying and tail feather. His rest of the feathers are fine though, green and shiny, and the white fur underneath is also there. I didn't saw him plucking/pulling his feathers, I did saw him cleaning all his feathers like all birds do.

Although he looks a bit funny, he eats and plays like normal, loves to sleep on my hand, plays with toys, eats fruits, sings.

I asked on a facebook group and they said it maybe Psittacine beak and feather disease, but if it was the case, shouldn't he be loosing all feathers and not just flying and tail feathers?

Another response I got from facebook group is that it maybe because of calcium deficiency. I'm hoping its calcium deficiency. I don't want it to be PBFD. [emoji853]

Anyone of you had the same experience? Do you have any suggestions? I have an appointment with a vet on weekend. Unfortunately he's not an avian vet.

Waiting for your suggestions.
Regards,
Farhan
768ac55190159af926db0063e024f0b0.jpg
9d977925f05cb4cd996f52fc23a91ba3.jpg


Sent from my Redmi Note 8 using Tapatalk
hi even i got rigneck baby when he was 25 days old now he almost 2.5 months old and he has also lost all his fetahers and tail feathers but is active and eats properly and looks the same as yours look in the photo i was hoping you could give me advice on what happened to your parrot
 

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