What do fleas look like on a budgerigar? - briefly
Fleas on a budgerigar are tiny, dark, laterally flattened insects about 1–3 mm long with a rounded, oval shape. They move swiftly among the feathers, appearing as small black specks that can be seen crawling or jumping.
What do fleas look like on a budgerigar? - in detail
Fleas that infest budgerigars are typically the species Ceratophyllus niger or Ceratophyllus gallinae. Adults measure 2–3 mm in length, roughly the size of a grain of rice, and are laterally flattened to navigate the bird’s plumage. Their bodies are dark brown to black, often appearing glossy under light. Six long, slender legs end in tiny claws that cling tightly to feathers, especially around the vent, tail, and wing edges.
Key visual characteristics include:
- Body shape: elongated, oval, and flattened dorsoventrally.
- Coloration: deep brown to black, sometimes with a faint reddish hue after a blood meal.
- Antennae: short, club‑shaped, not readily visible without magnification.
- Legs: long, adapted for jumping; each leg bears a pair of spines near the tip for gripping feathers.
- Movement: rapid, erratic jumps; when disturbed, fleas may leap several centimeters, creating a brief “flick” motion.
Fleas are most often observed as tiny moving specks on the bird’s skin or feather bases. They may be seen crawling on the vent area, under the tail feathers, or along the wing margins where blood vessels are close to the skin. In severe infestations, clusters of fleas can appear as a small, moving dark mass, especially when the bird is perched and motionless.
Diagnostic clues:
- Visible insects: direct observation of the described morphology.
- Blood spots: tiny dark stains on feathers where fleas have fed.
- Excessive preening: birds may scratch or rub affected areas more frequently.
- Feather damage: occasional feather loss or broken barbs where fleas attach.
Distinguishing fleas from other ectoparasites, such as mites, is essential. Mites are typically 0.2–0.5 mm, translucent or pale, and move slower, whereas fleas are larger, darker, and exhibit rapid jumping.
Identifying these traits enables accurate diagnosis and timely treatment of flea infestations in budgerigars.