With increasing recognition, making not so much noise, beautiful colouring plumage and wonderful attributes, Pionus parrots may soon become one of the major competitors against African Grey Parrots, Cockatoos, Amazons, Lories, Lorikeets and parakeets which, however, are still the most popular parrots in Hong Kong. Amateurs and fanciers know more about the popularity than Pionus Parrots, and the diseases as well.

Pionus Parrots are thought to be the cousins of Amazons despite the different origins & personality. They also sometimes suffer from different diseases as their cousins do although most species of Pionus are very hardy, adapt readily to captive environments and often thrive in captivity. One of the reasons why experts described Amazons and Pionus as cousins is that the close phylogenetic relationship of Pionus and Amazons is reflected in their susceptibility to diseases. They respond to disease similar to Amazons in many aspects.

About Infectious Diseases

Many customers came to my shop asking for help after buying parrots from the "un-professional" bird shops and the bird markets where are usually very messy & crowded with too many wild birds smuggling from Mainland China without any health inspection by the AFCD, and the parrots either suffered from various infections or died shortly. Buying from the reputable bird shops & in the absence of infectious disease, most Pionus adapt very easily to captive environments and diets. I have mentioned that the fungal spores do exit in the dirty environment of some shops or the bird market. Many birds including parrots would be infected after being kept in for a short period of time. Amateurs or new parrot owners in Hong Kong used to bargain with parrot dealers over the price in the bird market, they thought it's wise to shop around foraging for " cheap price " rather than being a " fool ".

It's natural to bargain with shoppers nowadays somewhere in some countries. We have to remind us of what products we are going to buy or intend to have. We are buying a lifelong companion, a live parrot, not a can food. So, we should pay more attention to the quality, grading, origins, price difference for the same species of birds and the reputation of the shop rather than cheap price. If the shop could sell you a Grey at 10 thousand, why you were able to get it at 3000? You might be the one who would suffer the loss for the shop. Or the vet bills might not be less afterward.

Parrot Pox

Most Pionus parrots would suffer from Upper or Lower Respiratory Tract Infections like their cousins Amazons. Direct or indirect contact with infected birds in the bird market or dirty pet shops or even contaminated area, most pionus parrots would also be easily infected with fungal, bacteria or virus diseases. Avian poxvirus infection is the most important viral disease of Pionus and all species of parrots are susceptible and the outcome could be devastating.

As I also mentioned on other chapter of my bird articles, Vitaminosis A can be caused to all Amazons & Pionus due to inappropriate diet. Birds like Amazons and Pionus are prompt to be infected if the daily diet provided is not well balanced. Parrot diet actually should include the use of high level of Vitamin A and supportive care. High dose of Vitamin A injection ( 10,000 units per week given by Vet ) or high dose of oral form can be a treatment for infected birds. Pionus parrots exhibit the wet form of pox in which the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, crop, oesophagus and the digestive organs may be involved.

Antibiotics are necessary in severe cases to control secondary bacterial infections. Remember that the mortality rate of Pionus parrots infected with parrot pox is usually high. So, well balanced diet, to ensure hygiene, sunlight, activities and vitamin supplement should be well provided for your avian pets.

To buy good quality parrots is also a must for every new & experienced owner. Keep in mind that we are going to buy a parrot not a can food. Usually you pay more you get the best.

Bacterial Diseases

Pionus parrots would also suffer from bacterial diseases especially those bought from dirty and messy bird market. Fortunately bacterial diseases are generally less contagious and can be treated by antibiotics. Salmonella is not a common problem in Pionus and E. coli is abnormal in seed-eating birds.

Fungal Diseases

In moist dirty areas, Aspergillus is a fungus that is highly prevalent in the environment. Large number of spores could be released by the heads of Aspergillus colonies and would become airborne. When inhaling by susceptible birds, Aspergillus can grow in the lungs and in the breathing system. Pionus are particularly susceptible to Aspergillosis. So, buying good quality Pionus from the reputable shops is important especially for those new owners.

A yeast, Candida, infects the mucous membranes of the mouth, crop and the intestinal tract of Pionus. Possible Candidiasis in conjunction with bacterial infections should really be considered in digestive disorder in un-weaned Pionus. Only searching for cheap price, amateurs or new parrot owners always break their hearts after buying so called cheap price Pionus from the messy place.

Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency contributes to the development of respiratory, digestive and ocular diseases. When your Pionus parrot shows the syndrome of white lesions in the mouth, watery eyes, and clear nasal discharge and sometimes in severe cases abscesses in the mouth, all are signs of Vitamin A deficiency. All Pionus parrots require relatively high levels of vitamin A, so, vitamin A supplements or fresh yellow or green vegetables which are rich source of Vitamin A should be given to the daily diet.