This page was last updated on 19 August 2026. We'll update it as the situation changes.
H5 bird flu has now been detected in wild birds in Australia, including a confirmed detection in Queensland.
For those of us keeping Budgies, Cockatiels, parrots and aviary birds, the obvious question is: what does that actually mean for our birds?
Right now, not a great deal needs to change. There have been no detections in pet birds or poultry in Australia, and we're operating as normal. But there are a few sensible precautions we'd start taking now, particularly if your birds live outdoors.
Jump to Where We Stand, What It Means for Pet Birds, What We'd Do Now, Fresh Branches and Browse or What We're Doing.
Where We Stand Right Now
For us, it's business as usual.
Our store birds are here, our doors are open and we're continuing to watch developments closely.
Queensland has recorded H5 bird flu in a wild seabird, and detections have also occurred in wild birds elsewhere around Australia. So far, the virus has not been detected in pet birds or poultry in Australia.
That distinction matters. Finding the virus in wild birds doesn't mean every pet bird is suddenly at high risk.
Exposure is what matters.
What Does Bird Flu Mean for Pet Birds?
Pet bird species can catch H5 bird flu, but a bird's actual risk depends heavily on how much contact it has with wild birds and anything contaminated by them.
An indoor Cockatiel living in the lounge room is in a very different situation from a parrot living in an open aviary beneath trees where wild birds feed and roost.
The virus can spread through infected birds, droppings, respiratory secretions and contaminated water. It can also be carried between areas on footwear, clothing and equipment.
So for most pet bird owners, this is less about panic and more about tightening up a few basic biosecurity habits.
What We'd Do Now
Keep Wild Birds Away From Your Birds
If your birds live indoors, there isn't much we'd change.
Outdoor birds need a little more thought.
- Keep aviaries covered where possible so wild birds can't enter or drop directly into them.
- Keep food and water bowls under cover.
- Don't leave bird food outside where wild birds can access it.
- Keep wild birds away from aviary water sources.
- Be particularly careful if your aviary is near ponds, creeks or areas where waterbirds gather.
- We'd reconsider free-flighted outdoor time while detections continue.
Think About Your Shoes
This is one of the easier things to overlook.
If you've walked through parks, around ponds, through areas with wild bird droppings or anywhere large numbers of birds gather, your footwear can bring contamination back with you.
For outdoor aviaries, having a pair of shoes or boots that stays at the aviary is a simple precaution.
Wash your hands before and after handling birds, food bowls and equipment, and regularly clean food and water containers.
Be Careful Around Other Birds
Bird shows, sales, breeders and other aviaries all bring birds, people, cages and equipment together.
That doesn't mean you need to stop going anywhere, but we'd be more conscious of what comes home with you.
Clean cages and equipment before putting them near your own birds, avoid sharing equipment between aviaries and wash your hands after handling birds that aren't yours.
Any new bird should also be quarantined away from your existing birds for at least a month, which is good practice regardless of bird flu.
Fresh Branches and Browse Need More Thought
This is probably the biggest change we'd make for pet parrots right now.
Fresh Eucalyptus, Bottlebrush and other browse are fantastic enrichment, but they're also collected from exactly the places wild birds spend their time.
A branch that wild birds have been feeding on, perching above or roosting in may have droppings on it even if they're not immediately obvious.
We're not saying stop offering fresh branches. We'd just be much more selective about where they come from.
- Avoid branches with any sign of wild bird droppings.
- Don't collect directly beneath known roosting areas.
- Be particularly careful with flowering trees that are attracting large numbers of Lorikeets, Cockatoos or other wild birds.
- Avoid collecting near ponds, creeks and waterbird areas.
- Use your own garden where possible if you have a better idea of what has been visiting.
- Rinse branches thoroughly and follow your normal preparation routine before offering them.
- If you're unsure about a branch, leave it.
Our guide to bird safe plants and branches covers choosing and preparing browse in more detail.
What Should I Watch For?
Bird flu can cause a wide range of signs, so trying to diagnose it yourself isn't particularly useful.
What matters more is an unusual pattern, particularly sudden unexplained illness, several birds becoming sick at once or unexpected deaths in a short period.
If that happens, contact your avian vet and report it to your state biosecurity authority.
If you find sick or dead wild birds, don't handle them. Keep your own birds and pets away and report what you've found.
What We're Doing at Queenslander Aviaries
We'd rather tell you our plan now than leave you wondering later.
Right now, nothing changes. Our birds remain in store and we're trading normally.
If Queensland starts seeing a genuine escalation, such as multiple detections in our area, a significant mortality event or any detection involving kept birds, we'll remove birds from the store.
If the situation develops further, we'll tighten customer hygiene measures and, if we believe it's necessary, temporarily move to online ordering and Click and Collect.
We'd rather make those decisions early than wait until we're forced to.
If our position changes, we'll update this page and our socials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my pet bird catch bird flu?
Yes. Pet bird species can become infected, but the likelihood depends heavily on exposure. Birds kept indoors or in well-covered aviaries with little contact with wild birds are at much lower risk.
Should I stop letting my bird outside?
We'd avoid free-flighted outdoor time for now. Birds in outdoor aviaries can still stay outside, but we'd make sure the aviary is well covered and wild birds can't access their food or water.
Can I still give my bird fresh branches?
Yes, but we'd be more selective about where they come from. Avoid branches with any evidence of wild bird activity or droppings, particularly around flowering trees, roosting areas and waterways.
Is it safe to visit the store?
Yes. We're operating normally. If the risk to our birds or our customers changes, we'll act and update this page.
Is bird food affected?
There is currently no indication that commercially produced bird food is involved in Australia's wild bird detections.
The more practical concern is food becoming contaminated after you've opened it, particularly if it's stored or offered somewhere wild birds can access. Keep food sealed and keep outdoor feeding areas protected.
For Now, Keep It Simple
For most pet bird owners, bird flu doesn't mean turning everything upside down.
Keep wild birds away from your birds, protect outdoor food and water, be conscious of footwear and equipment, quarantine new birds and take a little more care with fresh browse.
We'll continue watching what's happening in Queensland and across Australia and update this page if the advice for pet bird owners changes.
