Bird Flu and Pet Birds: What Keepers Need to Know

Bird flu (avian influenza) spreads mainly from wild birds. Indoor pet birds are at low risk if wild birds and their droppings are kept away, but aviary birds and backyard poultry can be exposed. During outbreaks, governments may order birds to be housed and hygiene stepped up. Follow your national rules, and report suspected cases as they direct.

Who Is at Risk

Indoor pet birds such as budgies and parrots: low exposure, as long as wild birds, their droppings and contaminated shoes or feeders don't come into contact with them.
Aviary birds: higher, because wild birds can perch on or fly over the aviary.
Backyard hens, ducks and geese: higher still, especially near ponds and wetlands where wild waterfowl gather. In Great Britain, all poultry keepers must register with APHA so they can be contacted in an outbreak.

Everyday Biosecurity

Keep wild birds away from your birds, their food and their water. Cover feeders and roof part of the aviary.
Wash your hands before and after handling birds, and after filling garden bird feeders.
Keep separate shoes or boot covers for the aviary or coop, and clean them.
Quarantine new birds away from your others for a period your vet suggests.
Don't share equipment with other keepers without cleaning it.

Bird vaccines, disinfectants for animal housing or any treatment: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff. If your birds seem unwell, call your avian vet straight away.

Housing Orders

When bird flu is spreading, some governments declare prevention zones that require keepers to house birds and follow enhanced hygiene. In England, housing measures have applied to all poultry and captive birds, not only commercial flocks, so aviary birds and pet hens may need to come inside or under cover. Plan ahead: know where your birds would go and how you would keep them busy.

Hygiene Kit

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Covered feeders and drinkers keep wild birds off your birds' food, aviary netting or a roof panel reduces droppings from above, and boot covers or dedicated boots stop you carrying contamination in. Disposable gloves help when cleaning.

Rules and Reporting: They Differ by Country

Bird flu is a notifiable disease in many countries, which means suspected cases in kept birds must be reported to the authorities.

United Kingdom: check gov.uk/birdflu (England), gov.scot, gov.wales or DAERA for current zones, housing measures and how to report suspected cases and dead wild birds. All poultry keepers in Great Britain must register with APHA.
United States: report sick or dead kept birds to your state veterinarian or USDA APHIS, and dead wild birds as your state wildlife agency directs.
Elsewhere: CFIA (Canada), DAFM (Ireland), MPI (New Zealand) and your state or territory agriculture department in Australia.

Rules change quickly during outbreaks, so check the official page, not old news.

Staying Safe Yourself

Don't touch sick or dead wild birds; report them as your authority advises. Wash your hands after any contact with birds, feeders or droppings. For questions about human health, follow your national public health agency's advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What bird keepers ask when bird flu is in the news.

Can my indoor budgie catch bird flu?

The risk is low if wild birds and their droppings never reach it. Wash your hands and change shoes after handling garden feeders or other birds.

Do housing orders apply to pet birds?

They can. In England, housing measures have covered all poultry and captive birds. Check your government's current rules.

Do I need to register my pet birds?

In Great Britain, all poultry keepers must register with APHA, whatever the flock size. Check gov.uk for which birds count as poultry, and your own country's rules elsewhere.

What should I do if I find a dead wild bird?

Don't touch it. Report it using your national authority's service, such as gov.uk in Great Britain or your state wildlife agency in the US.

Should I stop feeding garden birds?

Follow your authority's current advice. If you keep birds, keep garden feeders well away from your aviary or coop and clean them regularly.