Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease (PBFD) is one of the biggest challenges facing aviculture. PBFD is caused by a circovirus (circular single stranded DNA genome). PBFD is more common in parrots, but other circoviruses affect other avian species e.g. Chicken anemia virus, pigeon circovirus, goose circovirus, canary circovirus, finch circovirus, ostrich circovirus.
In psittacine’s, 2 species of circovirus occur, PBFD with 14 known strains and Budgerigar circovirus with 3 known strains.
Budgerigar Circovirus is one of the causes of French Moult (FM) and Budgerigar Fledging Disease (BFD).
Pigeon Circovirus causing immunosuppression is closely associated with Young Pigeon Disease.
In parrots PBFD is associated with immunosuppression, feathering problems and beak deformities. As indicated above circoviruses have a profound influence on all avian species and must not be underestimated.
PSITTACINE BEAK AND FEATHER DISEASE -WEBINAR – 25 January 2025 (click on the link to go to event on Facebook)
Thank you Avip, Budgerigar Society of South Africa, Turf Pet Products and South African National Cage Bird Association for your support with this seminar.
