Colds

Question
Hi Maggie,
i was just wondering if a budgie can catch a human cold?If they can how do they catch cold?what can happen to the budgie? How can i help this from happening?

Answer
Birds cannot catch many diseases from humans. Our internal body temperatures are diferent, so colds that live in us, cannot survive in a bird's body (which has a higher temperature). Birds do not get colds, if a bird shows symptoms we could associate with a cold (sneezing, runny nose, etc.) the bird needs to be taken to an avian vet asap!

But there are a couple of diseases that can be transmitted, some include West Nile, Avian TB, and psittacosis (also known as chlamydiosis or parrot fever).

I hope this helps.

-Maggie