Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is a potentially deadly disease that affects parrots, cockatoos and lorikeets (psittacine birds). [toc] What is Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD)? Psittacine Beak And Feather Disease Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a viral disease which affects not only parrots, but other birds too. In severe cases the beak may peel away from the bone. This is a disease that is transferable to humans. The virus also impairs the immune system. In severe cases the beak may peel away from the bone. Numbers of birds showing feather and beak abnormalities were identified, initially in private collections and in wild flocks in Australia, but subsequently spreading rapidly around the world. All cockatiels have a fast metabolism, if a cockatiel's beak is damaged and it can not eat, or eat enough, it will lose weight very fast, become lethargic and eventually die. This disease was first described in Australian cockatoos in the early 1970's. Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a viral disease which affects not only parrots, but other birds too. This is a disease that is transferable to humans. It can be seen in cockatoos, African grey parrots, Eclectus parrots, lorikeets, lovebirds, and parrot species of Asian, Australian and African origin. What causes beak and feather disease? African grey parrots may develop a pancytopenia, because the virus attacks the bone marrow. It is usually fatal, though some birds can have a prolonged life with the virus with the proper home care. It is caused by a virus that only occurs in parrots. It is caused by the highly infectious Beak and Feather Disease (BFD) virus. Poor Feather Condition / Long Molts. The virus does not affect humans. Cockatiels, like all birds, are very adapt at concealing their illness. It is caused by a virus that only occurs in parrots. The disease appears to have originated in Australia. Its distribution is Australia-wide, including Tasmania. Beak and Feather Disease WHAT IS IT? Avian Circovirus, also known as Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD), is a viral disease that affects parrots and cockatoos. It can be seen in cockatoos, African grey parrots, Eclectus parrots, lorikeets, lovebirds, and parrot species of Asian, Australian and African origin. There is no cure for PBFD so it is important to prevent your cockatoo from getting it. A peracute form of the disease occurs in young birds, which develop enteritis and pneumonia, lose weight, and die. Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is also known as psittacine circovirus (PCV) or Psittacine Circoviral Disease (PCD). There is no cure for PBFD so it is important to prevent your cockatoo from getting it. It is not known to cause disease … Beak problems can occur from an accident, poor nutrition, mites and even a fungus, if you suspect your tiel is having beak problems please do see an Avian vet as soon as possible. The virus also impairs the immune system. If the beak is not badly affected, some birds can survive for years with PBFD but they continue to shed the virus in their droppings and feather dander. The disease appears to have originated in Australia. Since that time, the disease has infected over 50 different species of birds. Please also refer to "Calcium Metabolism in Birds". PBFD stands for Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease. A Beak and Feather Disease Survivor- Sweetpea’s Story Story by Mary W. Sweetpea came into our lives in December of 1995. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease or PBFD is caused by a circovirus which infects and kills the cells of the feather and beak. My daughter, then 11 years old, wanted … All cockatiels have a fast metabolism, if a cockatiel's beak is damaged and it can not eat, or eat enough, it will lose weight very fast, become lethargic and eventually die. These birds die suddenly with viral inclusions in the thymus, bursa, and bone marrow. In the classic PBFD infection, the first indication of the presence of disease is a lack of powder down on the beak.