Expert: Marie Charon - 10/6/2009

Question
I have 2 cockatiel. Males, one it the Dad. He is 9 and the son is 7. Nothing has changed except the food. I picked up a box of Wild Harvest Bird treat last week. Last night my young one made a funny peep and keeled over. The Daddy was fine, he was whistling at me. This morning he was dead too. Nothing else in this house is different. Got a clue?

Answer
Debra,

I'd go ahead and throw away the food, just to be on the safe side. It is very rare for food to be contaminated. I have run into it a couple time when I have thrown food away due pests finding their way in. However the fact that the other male isn't sick leads me to believe that the younger cockatiel had some health issue. Unfortunately birds are HUGE maskers of illness, and by the time you notice that they are not feeling well they are usually very very ill.

I am a big believer in being extra safe. I'd recommend calling your bird's vet to see if they think you should have the other male checked out.

Blessings,
-m