Corellas are prone to several health problems that can kill them within a few months once the virus takes place. Below are some of the health issues that a corella can have genetically.

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)

PBFD is caused by a circovirus that attacks the cells of the immune system and cells that produce the beak and feathers. Which essentially results in poor feather growth and feathers that don’t replace themselves when they fall out. In addition, the beak may become fragile and won’t repair itself.

The virus targets the center of the developing bird’s immune system; infected birds often become immunocompromised and die of secondary infections, either bacterial, viral, or fungal. Currently, there is no known cure for PBFD. Infected corella usually dies up to a year after showing clinical symptoms of the disease.

Feather Picking and Self-Mutilation

Feather picking not attributed to a medical cause is an obsessive-compulsive disorder in which a Corella picks at, plucks out, or chews on its feathers.

Self-mutilation is a disorder where a bird chews on its flesh, resulting in nerves and tissues being damaged. It causes increased discomfort, which may cause the bird to chew even more.

Both disorders can be caused by household stress, boredom, or sexual frustration.

Please also Download our FREE Bird Care booklet for more detailed information on keeping and training birds.