Can I be around my bird when sick?

[Safamirza🤍]

Hello I have a 2 years old, male cockatiel named Kiko. My brother has been quite sick for the past couple of days. He has a cold. Kiko is very, VERY attached with my brother and we have been distancing them because we don’t want Kiko to catch the germs. My brother is the one who spends the most time with Kiko because he won’t go to anyone else over him. Kiko has been spending a little more time in his cage during the day and he is going crazy!

What should I do? I would keep Kiko with me but after some time he gets anxious and starts flying around looking for my brother. He loves being with my dad but he’s busy with work during the day. Can birds really catch the germs from humans? Is it ok if he just sits on my brother’s shoulder or lap? He’s always trying to get kisses and eat his food, which is a problem.

Thanks to anyone who responds

 

[Rico_Tiel]

If I’m not mistaken, I do not think the common cold is a zoonotic disease. Kiko will be fine.

 

[foxgloveparrot]

Kiko should be just fine. There are very few diseases that can be transmitted from humans to birds. The common cold is absolutely not one of them.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Hello I have a 2 years old, male cockatiel named Kiko. My brother has been quite sick for the past couple of days. He has a cold. Kiko is very, VERY attached with my brother and we have been distancing them because we don’t want Kiko to catch the germs. My brother is the one who spends the most time with Kiko because he won’t go to anyone else over him. Kiko has been spending a little more time in his cage during the day and he is going crazy!

What should I do? I would keep Kiko with me but after some time he gets anxious and starts flying around looking for my brother. He loves being with my dad but he’s busy with work during the day. Can birds really catch the germs from humans? Is it ok if he just sits on my brother’s shoulder or lap? He’s always trying to get kisses and eat his food, which is a problem.

Thanks to anyone who responds

I don't think anyone knows for certain if any human infections can affect birds because no studies have been done proving or disproving it. That said, most avian vets don't think that birds can catch human viral cold/flu/Covid infections. I had Covid six months ago and was in very close contact with Rocky my budgie and she never got sick. None of my birds have ever caught a cold or flu from me either and I've had plenty. I would go ahead and let Kiko hang out with your brother.

 

[petunia]

I had the same question. I was told as long as it isn't bacterial, its okay