25/06/2026
🐦 Important Information for Bird Owners & Wildlife Encounters 🐦
With ongoing concerns around Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI / H5N1 Bird Flu), we want to remind our community about what to do if you encounter a sick or deceased bird.
⚠️ If you find a sick or dead wild bird:
❌ Do not touch, move, or handle the bird.
📸 If safe to do so, take photos and note the location, date, and any signs of illness.
📞 Report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888.
Signs of illness in wild birds may include:
• Neurological signs (stumbling, tremors, seizures)
• Swelling or discoloration of the head or legs
• Respiratory distress
• Multiple sick or dead birds in one area
🐔 For pet birds and backyard poultry owners:
Be alert for signs such as:
• Sudden death
• Lethargy or reduced appetite
• Reduced egg production
• Respiratory signs (nasal discharge, difficulty breathing)
• Neurological signs (tremors, loss of balance, seizures)
• Diarrhoea or other gastrointestinal signs
🏠 If you have a sick bird, isolate it from other birds immediately and maintain strict hygiene practices.
🚫 Please note: Our veterinary hospital is NOT accepting sick wild birds due to biosecurity requirements. If you find a sick or deceased wild bird, please contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 for advice and reporting.
Australia is currently free from H5N1 HPAI, but vigilance is important to help protect our wildlife, poultry, and community.
Thank you for helping keep our birds safe. 💚🐦🐔
