Quarantining a new parrot involves keeping the bird in isolation for at least 30 days, although 45 to 60 days is recommended. If the quarantined parrot falls ill, extend the time in isolation by 45 days.
The parrot must temporarily live in a different cage, ideally a separate room at the opposite end of the house. Don’t allow the new parrot to share a cage or airspace with other pet birds.
Before the quarantine period, the new parrot’s health should be assessed by a veterinarian.
Why Parrots Need To Be Quarantined
A healthy-looking parrot isn’t always as fighting fit as it appears. Birds are skilled at hiding illnesses, and diseases can be asymptomatic. Sometimes, the warning signs don’t manifest for weeks or months.
A parrot can fall ill if it has lived with other birds. Parrots bought from pet shops are particularly vulnerable. Even if you purchased a parrot from a reputable breeder, sickness can still go undetected.
The stress of a long journey or adjusting to life in captivity can impair immune function. A previously dormant medical condition can suddenly flair up, jeopardizing the lives of an entire flock.
If you bought a parrot from a reputable breeder, the bird may have been given a clean health certificate certified by a vet. This isn’t a reason to skip quarantine, but a vet may perform certain checks:
- The parrot is the right weight for its species, gender, and age.
- The feathers aren’t dull, lifeless, brittle, or missing.
- No mites, fleas, ticks, lice, or other ectoparasites exist.
- A fecal examination to check for intestinal parasites, like worms, in the digestive system.
- Perform a gram stain test to check for bacterial infection.
- Conduct a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to assess immune health and identify diseases.
Tests for diseases like psittacine beak and feather disease may also be undertaken. The only way to be sure what medical tests have been performed is by directly consulting the veterinarian.
All New Parrots Must Be Quarantined
Exotic pets should be quarantined, especially if you have other birds or pets. It remains advisable to quarantine a parrot that’ll only live with humans, as they can carry zoonotic diseases.
How Long To Quarantine A New Parrot
“Quarantine” is a translation of the Roman word “quarantena,” which means “40 days.”
Until the Middle Ages, 40 days of isolation was believed to be sufficient to purge the body of an infectious disease. In modern science, opinions vary on how long avian quarantine should last.
Some experts claim that 30 days is sufficient, while others believe a new bird should be quarantined for 45-60 days. If you have other birds, quarantine a new parrot for 2 months.
What To Look for When You Quarantine a Parrot
You must observe the parrot and conduct basic daily health checks.
The stress of moving to a new home may make a parrot behave erratically at first, especially if you leave it alone for a long time. Parrots are social birds and grow agitated when denied company.
While checking in with a parrot, note any signs of ill health:
- Loose droppings that contain excessive urine (polyuria.)
- Reluctance to eat or drink.
- Diarrhea.
- Excessive drinking (polydipsia.)
- Fluffing the feathers as though cold, even though the temperature is optimal. Parrots prefer an ambient temperature of 65–80°F.
- General lethargy, including sitting at the bottom of the cage rather than perching.
Aggression, like biting, could also be a sign of sickness. However, this could be due to attempting to handle a frightened parrot before it has settled into its new home, especially if it isn’t yet tame.
Quarantining A New Parrot in the Same Room as Other Birds
The purpose of quarantine is to keep a parrot away from other birds.
Keep the quarantined parrot in a different room. Ideally, this will be on another floor or the other side of the house. The room must have a closed door.
If you have air conditioning, disable this to prevent the spread of airborne viruses and bacterial microbes.
Safety Protocols During Parrot Quarantine
You must visit the new bird several times daily to enable it to adapt to its new living environment and monitor its health. While you do so, adhere to the following conventions:
Wear Protective Clothing
Always wear protective clothing during interactions to protect yourself and the parrot.
Consider wearing the following before handling:
- Gloves.
- A face mask.
- Covers over the feet.
- A protective smock or apron.
Have a change of clothes handy. You should wear the same outfit whenever you enter the quarantine zone and change out of these clothes whenever you leave the room.
Wash your hands, arms, neck, and face after handling, even when wearing gloves and a mask.
Clean Regularly
The cage of a quarantined parrot should be spot-cleaned several times per day. Bird waste can cause bacterial and fungal infections, so don’t allow waste to accumulate.
As some infections are airborne, so regularly clean the area around the cage.
Only use bird-safe cleaners. According to Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, sprays can adversely affect the respiratory system of parrots.
Never Share Resources with Other Birds
If you have other birds, you may want to familiarize them with a new parrot’s scent before introducing them. This is unsafe. Never exchange food bowls, water bottles, or toys without sanitizing them.
The risks of pathogens clinging to external objects outweigh the rewards of creating a sense of familiarity.
Once the parrot is deemed safe, you can introduce it to other birds. If you don’t have other parrots, you can locate the cage in a suitable room once the quarantine has safely concluded.
