Bird diseases in garden birds From time to time, ... including humans. Psittacosis (also known as ornithosis) is a disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, carried by birds.Humans most commonly catch the disease by inhaling dust containing feathers, secretions and droppings from infected birds.Older people generally experience more severe illness.

All of these diseases are transmitted from one bird to another at feeding stations, especially when overcrowding occurs. Other wild and pet birds may also carry the infection and pass it to humans. Psittacosis is an infectious disease usually spread to humans from infected birds in the parrot family. Psittacosis refers to any infection or disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, one of several microorganisms in the genus Chlamydia. Bird feed can attract unusually high numbers of birds to a confined area, which enables disease to spread easily, and can affect other wildlife. Disease in humans may present as cellulitis, bacteremia, endocarditis, encephalitis and arthritis.

Common Bird Parasites & Diseases The four diseases that most frequently affect birds that use feeders are: salmonella , trichomoniasis , aspergillosis , and avian pox .

Humans most commonly catch the disease from infected birds by inhaling the bacteria from shed feathers, secretions and droppings.

The illness is caused by a chlamydia, which is a type of intracellular parasite closely related to bacteria.

Ornithosis, also known as psittacosis, parrot fever and avian chlamydiosis is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci and is found in parrots, parakeets, turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons and other birds.

Impacted birds typically have unclear symptoms, such as loss of weight in spite of an excellent appetite, dull plume coloring, boost in urine output, diarrhea and anemia.

In the U.S., chlamydiosis is a major problem with turkeys, pigeons, and psittacines. Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare. This disease can be transmitted from infected birds to humans. The RSPB has monitored incidence of disease in garden birds since 2001.

Domestic turkeys and pigeons have also infected people. Exercise good hygiene around the feeders and water containers, and if necessary, withdraw food to encourage birds to disperse to feed over a wider area. Find out more about the most common diseases and what you can do to help. parrot fever: Definition Parrot fever is a rare infectious disease that causes pneumonia in humans. As the name suggests, the disease is acquired from birds. Psittacosis is an infectious disease in humans that has mild, non-specific flu-like symptoms. Parrots are not the only possible culprits, however.