long-billed corella

["Marg & Jim Peachey" <>]

Roger,  

 

this is a sulphur crested cockatoo with PBFD (Beak and Feather =
Disease)  There are plenty around and if they come to the RSPCA or to =
any vet they are euthanased.  It is a viral disease that affects the =
feather development, the feather dust production and the beak which =
grows and distorts.  Who knows what it does to their insides.  But they =
eventually die of starvation and because of lack of feather dust they =
look very grubby.  We see more in winter as the cold gets them as well =
as starvation.

It is a disease endemic in cockatoo populations (can be seen also in =
galahs and rosella with differing symptoms).  Beak and Feather is spread =
from bird to bird readily but only the weakest of the population succumb =
to it.   We discourage feeding stations in backyards because of the way =
parrots feed - on the ground and amongst concentrated faeces.

cheers,
Marg Peachey
RSPCA Wildlife Officer