What is Pigeon ornithosis?
Caleb Butler
Updated on April 03, 2026
Psittacosis—also known as parrot fever, and ornithosis—is a zoonotic infectious disease in humans caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia psittaci and contracted from infected parrots, such as macaws, cockatiels, and budgerigars, and from pigeons, sparrows, ducks, hens, gulls and many other species of birds.
What is Chlamydia in racing pigeons?
Chlamydiosis is the result of infection by a bacterial organism called Chlamydophila psittaci (also known as Chlamydia psittaci). Transmission is usually through inhaling the bacteria from dried feces. Birds considered carriers will often transmit the bacteria.
How is ornithosis transmitted?
Psittacosis (also known as ornithosis) is a disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, carried by birds. Humans most commonly catch the disease by inhaling dust containing feathers, secretions and droppings from infected birds.
What causes Ornithosis in pigeons?
Psittacosis is an infection of birds caused by the bacterium C. psittaci. The disease has been described in many species of birds, particularly in parrots, parakeets, budgerigars and cockatiels. Other commonly affected birds include pigeons and doves.
What does Ornithosis mean?
Medical Definition of ornithosis : psittacosis especially : a form of the disease occurring in or originating in birds (as the turkeys and pigeons) that do not belong to the family (Psittacidae) containing the parrots.
How do you treat chlamydia in pigeons?
Avian chlamydiosis is a systemic bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Diagnosis in poultry is by serology, necropsy, and PCR. Chlortetracycline and doxycycline are used to treat chlamydiosis.
How do you treat coccidiosis in birds?
What is the treatment for Coccidiosis? Birds can be treated with Baycox (Toltrazuril) in water for 2 days. A repeat treatment may be necessary. The cage should be cleaned thoroughly daily and then disinfected.
How do you treat parrot fever?
Parrot fever is treated with antibiotics. Tetracycline and doxycycline are two antibiotics that are effective against this disease. However, your doctor may sometimes choose to treat you with other types or classes of antibiotics. Very young children may be treated with azithromycin.
What is Ornithosis in pigeons?
In Germany, ornithosis is a notifiable disease in pigeons. Pathogen: Chlamydia psittaci. Chlamydia are small, non-motile micro-organisms that invade cells parasitically. Infection occurs via inhalation of stirred-up dust containing the pathogen, uptake of faecally contaminated feed or water, or else billing or feeding of squabs.
How much ornispecial + ornisol to feed pigeons?
2 measuring spoons or 1 sachet (5 g) (2½ g per spoon) OrniSpecial+ 1 sachet (W.N.)in 2 litres of water or on 1 kg of feed for 40 pigeons, for 3 to 5 days. OrniSpecial + Ornisol: 1 sachet (5 g) or 2 measuring spoons (2½ g per spoon) OrniSpecial + 2 screw caps (5 ml) Ornisol in 2 litres of water, for 3 to 5 days.
What to do when pigeons get tired after racing?
The pigeons will get home very tired after racing, when showing these symptoms pigeons must be directly treated with a combination of prescribed treatments and should be kept home in more severe cases for at least 1 week to avoid even bigger losses. BelgaTai, OrniSpecial, Ornisol, Orni 3 and OrniStop Tablets.
What is the best antibiotic for ornitosis?
The disease is often referred to as ornitosis. The medication is antibiotics mostly tetracyclines. Doxycyline is the best as it gets deep into the cells (that is where the bacteria causes the damage). It is very difficult though, to get the birds free from chlamydophila.