In the wild, birds have a primary concern: to protect themselves from predators. A sick or injured lovebird is a prime target for predators. Because of this, lovebirds have learned to disguise their illness. By the time lovebirds show obvious signs of illness, they are very ill indeed. Learning how to recognize the signs of an illness before it progresses to serious disease or death is important.

Too often one hears about lovebirds who have died unexpectedly. The owners lament that they had no idea the bird was sick. However, when questioned about specific signs, most will admit they did see certain changes, but they did not realize these indicated a life-threatening illness. Having a strong sense of certain baseline behaviors is a good idea so you will quickly notice if your lovebird is acting differently. Look closely at your lovebird's daily fecal matter so you will be able to recognize when the color and consistency have changed. Here are some specific changes to look for in your pet:

Changes in behavior.
A normally independent lovebird might seem more needy or a normally cuddly bird might seem standoffish. if a usually playful parrot seems to have lost interest in its toys, this could also be warning sign. Changes in vocalization, such as a normally talkative lovebird no longer speaking, can be important signs.

Changes in fecal matter.

If feces suddenly become black, more watery, or have changed color in a way that cannot be explained by an unusual addition to the bird's diet, this can be a sign of illness. Remember, diet can greatly affect the color of fecal matter. Therefore, you should know what your bird's poops look like when it is healthy rather than compare them to some generalized standard. For example, a bird who eats a brightly colored pellet as part of the diet might have bright red or purple in its feces, which is simply a result of the dyes in the food. Save the daily droppings the day you are going to the veteranian to help him or her evaluate your bird'd health.

Changes in appearance.

A sick lovebird will often be puffed up more than usual. A very sick lovebird will appear listless. lethargic. or let its feathers droop. Its eyes will have a tired appearance. The tail may bob as if the bird id breathing more heavily. Signs this extreme require immediate intervention by an avian veterinarian. Again, observe your lovebird during times of health so you will be more aware of subtle visual changes in appearance.  

Other physical changes.

Other signs to be on the alert for are discharge around the nares (nose area) or ears; messy vent, indicating diarrhea; and sneezing or a wheezing sound when breathing. Other signs include labored breathing, which is a very serious sign and should never be ignored, and regurgitating food when not associated with mating behavior, particularly if the food seems to be undigested.

Changes in activity.

If your lovebird is sleeping longer and does not seem to be as active or playful, these can be signs of illness. If your lovebird is sitting puffed up on the bottom of its cage, things have progressed to a very serious stage and you may have only a few hours to get veterinary intervention.

Bleeding.

Be prepared for bleeding-type emergencies. Some products on the market will stop bleeding. Syptic powder is good for toenail bleeding. It is painful on open wounds, however, and can cause a lovebird to mutilate itself. Common household flour can also stop most bleeding. Lovebirds are small creatures and can bleed to death quite quickly. Any lovebird that has bled significantly should be seen by a veterinarian, even if you have stopped the bleeding.

Cats.

If a cat has contact with your lovebird, even without seemingly breaking the skin, you should take that bird to veterinarian immediately. Cats have Pasteurella bacteria as part of their normal flora. This bacteria is extremely deadly to lovebirds. If your lovebird has been battled around by a cat, take it to a veterinarian, even if it seems unharmed.

If your pet lovebird shows any of the symptoms described above, you must take it to a qualified avian veterinarian as soon as possible. Since these signs generally become obvious only after a lovebird has been sick for quite some time, even a day's delay can mean the difference between life and death. If you have even the slightest doubt that the bird is perfectly fine, trust your instincts and get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.