Most pet birds live their entire life indoors, in a climate-controlled environment. These pet birds lack the ability to rapidly adapt to extreme changes in their climate. When an owner suddenly loses control over their environment, such as a broken air conditioning unit, that climate change can greatly affect their pet birds. Knowing the signs of heat related stress in birds could save a beloved parrot’s life.
Signs of Heat Stress
A beginning sign of heat stress in birds is panting. Birds will pant to release heat from their body. Other indications include reddened nares (nostrils), ruffled contour (body) feathers, ruffled scapular (back) feathers, hot feet and a hot beak. An ear thermometer can be used to take a bird’s temperature. Knowing a bird’s normal temperature, which is usually hotter than a human’s, will help an owner to decide if the bird is experiencing a heat related stress or if the stress is from another source.
Signs of Heat Stroke
A bird suffering from heat stoke should be immediately cooled off in a shallow pool of water, taking care not to let the bird inhale the water, and then taken directly to an avian veterinarian. Signs of heat stroke include wobbling or unsteadiness, goose-like honking and unconsciousness.
Treatment for Overheating
An over heated bird should be offered fresh cool water, but not too cold, which could induce shock. Allow the bird to bathe itself or, if need be, mist the bird and wet the feet and beak with a cool soft towel. Make sure the bird is allowed to rest in a shaded, and preferably cool, area. Other pets and birds might aggravate and pester a bird that is suffering from overheating, adding to the bird’s stress. So, an over heated should be kept away from other pets until it is feeling better.
Avoiding Heat Related Problems
It is always best to keep a pet bird out of direct sunlight, or at least be sure to offer a constant area of shade. Birds that are living in a environment that is very warm should be given fresh cool drinking water several times a day as well as fresh cool bathing water. Never leave a bird in an automobile, which can heat up very rapidly. Offer foods that are high in moisture to help avoid dehydration. It is also a good idea to bring outdoor birds inside during extreme heat waves.
Even is a bird exhibits only a few symptoms of heat stress, it is best to be seen by an avian veterinarian as soon as possible. An experience avian vet will be able to evaluate a bird’s overall health, and ensure that the heat related stress was not caused by an underlying problem.
Janine Logue - Logue is a freelance writer with several years experience in the newspaper industry as both a reporter and editor.
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