Psittacosis ("parrot fever") is a Chlamydia psittaci infection that is common in cockatiels and produces sneezing, runny eyes, lime-green diarrhea, and weight loss. It is also one of the few bird diseases that reliably infects people, causing a flu-like respiratory illness. Most cockatiels respond well to a 4 to 6 week course of doxycycline (AAV Basic Care for Companion Birds, 2019).
Last reviewed: May 2026
What Cockatiel Psittacosis Actually Is
Chlamydia psittaci is an intracellular bacterium that infects the respiratory tract and digestive system of birds. Many infected birds are asymptomatic carriers shedding the organism intermittently in feces, urates, and respiratory secretions. Stress — moving, breeding, illness — pushes them into clinical disease. Cockatiels in particular have a high baseline carrier rate in published surveys. The infection can spread between birds by inhalation of dried feces or directly between cage mates.
Signs Owners See First
The early signs are often subtle: a quieter bird, less morning chatter, slightly fluffed feathers, less time on the play stand. As the disease progresses, owners notice nasal discharge or sneezing, watery or sticky-eye discharge (sometimes with swelling of the lids), green or lime-green watery droppings (because the urate portion turns green from elevated bile pigments in liver involvement), weight loss despite normal-looking food intake, ruffled feathers, and lethargy. Severe cases develop labored breathing, head tucked under the wing, and inability to perch. The Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary covers the wide spectrum of presentations and emphasizes that psittacosis must be on the differential for any "sick cockatiel."
Why It Matters for People in the Household
Psittacosis is zoonotic — it can infect humans through inhalation of contaminated dust or droplets. Human disease is usually a flu-like illness (fever, chills, headache, dry cough) appearing 1 to 4 weeks after exposure, with severe pneumonia in some cases. Immunosuppressed people, pregnant individuals, the very young, and older adults are at higher risk. Veterinarians and public health authorities take diagnosis seriously and many jurisdictions require reporting. If a household member becomes unwell within weeks of a sick bird being in the home, mention the bird exposure to the human physician.
How Vets Diagnose Psittacosis
Diagnosis is based on signs plus PCR testing on cloacal/choanal swabs or feces, sometimes combined with blood antibody titers and CBC. Bloodwork commonly shows an elevated white count and elevated liver enzymes. Chest x-rays may show air-sac changes or splenomegaly. Because the organism is shed intermittently, a single negative PCR does not fully rule out infection in a sick bird with consistent signs, and treatment is often started while testing is pending. The AAV Basic Care for Companion Birds, 2019 supports prompt empirical treatment when clinical signs strongly suggest the disease.
Treatment That Actually Works
The standard treatment is doxycycline for 4 to 6 weeks, given orally (compounded suspension) or as a long-acting injection in some cases. Calcium-containing foods and supplements bind doxycycline and reduce absorption, so calcium is held to 1 to 2 hours away from doses. Supportive care includes warm housing (75 to 85°F, 24 to 29°C), syringe feeding if appetite drops, fluid support, and minimizing stress. Nutritional support during recovery follows the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines, 2011 principle of species-appropriate, calorically adequate intake; in cockatiels this means a balanced pelleted base plus controlled fresh foods. All birds in the household should be screened and often treated simultaneously to prevent re-infection. Pain control follows avian-appropriate dosing per Carpenter Exotic Animal Formulary.
When to See a Vet
Call your vet today if:
- A cockatiel that is sneezing or has nasal discharge for more than 24 hours
- Lime-green or watery droppings persisting beyond a single day
- A bird that is sitting on the cage floor or fluffed up at midday
- Weight loss, reduced eating, or less morning chatter
- Watery or sticky-eye discharge with eyelid swelling
Go to the ER immediately if:
- A bird breathing with the tail bobbing or open beak
- Severe lethargy with eyes half-closed
- A bird unable to perch or grip the bars
- Sudden collapse, weakness, or seizures
- Heavy bleeding from a feather follicle or beak
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does psittacosis treatment cost?
A first vet visit with avian exam, PCR testing, bloodwork, and a starter course of doxycycline typically runs $200 to $500 at an avian vet. A full 4 to 6 week treatment with compounded doxycycline suspension is usually $80 to $200 in additional medication costs. Severe cases needing hospitalization, fluid support, syringe feeding, and oxygen may add $400 to $1,500 over a few days. Household screening of additional birds adds $100 to $200 per bird.
Can I really catch psittacosis from my cockatiel?
Yes, although the risk is modest in healthy adults. The bacterium is inhaled in dust or droplets containing dried feces or respiratory secretions. People with weakened immune systems, pregnant individuals, the very young, and older adults face higher risk. If you become unwell with fever, chills, headache, and dry cough within 1 to 4 weeks of a sick bird's presence, tell your doctor about the bird exposure so antibiotics targeted to Chlamydia can be considered.
Are some cockatiels carriers without symptoms?
Yes — and this is one of the most important features of the disease. Many cockatiels carry C. psittaci silently and only develop clinical signs under stress (a move, a new bird, an illness, breeding). This is why some new-bird quarantines and pre-purchase screening exist. A negative PCR in a single test from a healthy carrier can still be misleading.
Will my bird be cured after the doxycycline course?
In most cases, yes. A complete 4 to 6 week course usually eliminates active infection, though intermittent shedding can persist in a subset of birds. Recheck testing 2 to 4 weeks after completion is a good idea. Recurrence is most often due to incomplete treatment, untreated household birds, or poor husbandry that drives chronic stress.
What husbandry changes help prevent psittacosis?
Quarantine all new birds for at least 30 to 45 days in a separate air space; have new birds tested before introduction; keep cages clean and dust low; use HEPA filtration if possible; provide a balanced pelleted diet with controlled fresh foods; avoid overcrowding; and minimize chronic stress. Annual avian wellness exams help catch carriers before they become acutely ill.
Still Not Sure if Your Bird Needs a Vet?
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