Mould isn't something to panic about every time Queensland has a wet week, but it isn't something to ignore around birds either.
It can turn up in seed containers, wet food, bowls, nest boxes, natural perches and damp corners of cages and aviaries. The problem isn't only the mould you can see. Fungal spores can become airborne, and some moulds growing on food can also produce harmful toxins.
The best defence is fairly simple: keep food dry, remove wet food before it spoils, clean bowls properly, fix areas that stay damp and throw out anything you suspect is mouldy.
Here's where to look, what to do if you find mould, and how to make it much less likely to come back.
Jump to Where Mould Hides, How to Spot Mould, How to Clean It Up, How to Prevent Mould or Frequently Asked Questions.
Why Mould Matters Around Birds
Birds have a highly efficient respiratory system involving their lungs and a network of air sacs. That's brilliant for flight, but it also means airborne contaminants are something bird owners need to take seriously.
The fungal infection most bird owners have heard of is aspergillosis. It's caused by Aspergillus, a group of moulds commonly found in the environment, particularly around damp organic material.
Birds are generally exposed by inhaling airborne spores rather than catching aspergillosis from another bird. Exposure doesn't automatically mean a bird will become sick. Problems are more likely when a bird is exposed to large numbers of spores or has other factors that make it more susceptible.
Aspergillosis can occur suddenly, but chronic infections may develop gradually. Signs can include laboured or open-mouthed breathing, increased breathing effort, tail bobbing, a change or loss of voice, reduced appetite, weight loss, lethargy or simply a bird that isn't behaving normally.
Breathing changes in a bird aren't something to watch for a few days and hope disappear. Contact an avian vet promptly.
Mouldy Food Is a Problem Too
Mould isn't only a respiratory concern. Some moulds growing on stored foods can produce substances called mycotoxins, including aflatoxins.
That's why mouldy seed or nuts shouldn't be sorted through and salvaged. If food smells musty, has become damp, is unusually clumped or shows visible mould, throw it out. Our guide to safe nuts and seeds for birds covers this as well, including why we recommend roasted peanuts over raw.
Where Mould Hides Around Birds
Walls and ceilings get most of the attention when people think about household mould, but the areas closest to your bird and their food are particularly worth checking.
- Seed and dry food. Humidity or moisture getting into stored food can allow mould to grow. You may not always see it straight away.
- Nuts. Damp, musty, visibly mouldy or unusually discoloured nuts belong in the bin.
- Fresh and wet food. Chop, fruit, vegetables, soaked seed and sprouts can spoil quickly, particularly in warm weather.
- Soaking and sprouting equipment. Warmth, moisture and food make good growing conditions for seed, but they can also encourage unwanted microbial growth if equipment and rinsing aren't up to scratch.
- Water bowls and bottles. Not every film inside a drinker is mould, but dirty water equipment can quickly develop biofilm and needs the same attention to hygiene.
- Damp cage and aviary areas. Check underneath perches, around feed stations, in substrate and anywhere rain or cleaning water tends to collect.
- Natural perches and toys. Wood, rope and other porous materials can hold moisture, particularly outdoors or after washing.
- Nest boxes. They're enclosed, can hold humidity and are easy to overlook during everyday cleaning.
How to Spot Mould Around Your Bird
Start with the obvious. Look for patches or spotting on walls, cage surfaces, nest boxes, perches and damp corners. Check stored food for unusual discolouration, clumping, dampness or a dusty appearance that wasn't there before.
Then use your nose. A musty, earthy or sour smell from a seed container, food bowl, toy or section of the aviary is worth investigating even when you can't see obvious mould.
With food, don't try to work out whether a questionable batch is still usable. If something smells wrong or has become damp or mouldy, replacing it is the better option.
And keep an eye on your bird. Changes in breathing, voice, appetite, weight or energy deserve attention whether you've found mould nearby or not.
How to Clean Mould Around Birds
Move your bird properly away from the area. Cleaning can disturb mould and put more particles into the air. Your bird shouldn't be sitting nearby while you scrub it.
Protect yourself too. Wear gloves and a well-fitting mask when dealing with visible mould, particularly if cleaning is likely to disturb it.
Throw out what can't be properly cleaned. Mouldy seed, food and substrate should go. Heavily affected rope, porous toys or damaged timber often aren't worth trying to rescue.
Clean before you disinfect. Remove food, droppings, dirt and other organic material first so the disinfectant can actually reach the surface you're treating.
Use a disinfectant suitable for bird environments. Follow the dilution, application and contact time on the label rather than guessing. Our guide to keeping your bird's environment clean covers the products we'd use, and you'll find the full range in our disinfectants collection.
Be careful with bleach and other strong cleaners. Many cleaning products can release fumes that aren't suitable around birds. If bleach is used, the bird should be completely out of the room, the area well ventilated and surfaces rinsed where required. For routine bird areas, we'd rather use a purpose-made disinfectant suitable for the job. Our guide to toxic household items for birds covers cleaning fumes and other airborne hazards in more detail.
Dry everything completely. This is one of the most important steps. If a perch, cage corner or aviary floor stays damp, you've dealt with the mould without dealing with the reason it grew.
Use airflow, sunlight where practical or a fan to help things dry, and don't return your bird until the area is properly ventilated and dry.
If mould keeps returning on walls, ceilings or other parts of the building, the moisture problem itself needs to be found and fixed.
How to Prevent Mould Around Birds
Store bird food somewhere cool and dry. Keep seed and dry food protected from moisture and humidity, and avoid storing it in a damp garage, laundry or shed. Buy quantities you'll actually use rather than keeping large amounts sitting around for months. Our guide to storing bird seed in Australia goes through storage in more detail.
Don't leave wet food sitting all day. As a general guide, fresh fruit, vegetables and other wet foods should be removed after a couple of hours, particularly in warm weather. On a genuinely hot Queensland day, we'd be even more cautious.
Wash food and water bowls daily. A quick refill isn't the same as washing the bowl. Give them a proper clean and pay attention to corners, rims and the bottom of water containers where film can build up.
Deal with damp areas. Fix leaks, improve ventilation and make sure cleaned areas can dry. In an enclosed bird room, air conditioning or a dehumidifier can help manage persistent humidity.
Get airflow and sunlight into aviaries. Sunlight can help wet areas dry, but drainage and airflow matter just as much. Check the shaded corners that stay damp long after the rest of the aviary has dried.
Check natural perches and toys. Wood, rope and other porous materials need to dry properly after rain or cleaning. Replace anything that remains damp, develops visible mould or starts to smell musty.
Be particular with soaking and sprouting. Use clean equipment, rinse thoroughly and don't use a batch that smells sour, feels slimy or looks questionable. Vetafarm Aviclens can also be used as a seed-soaking solution according to the manufacturer's directions. Our guide to soaking seed and guide to sprouting seed cover both methods in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mould and Birds
Can mould make my bird sick?
Yes. Heavy exposure to fungal spores can contribute to fungal infections such as aspergillosis, particularly in susceptible birds. Mouldy food can create another problem because some moulds produce toxins. Suspect food should always be discarded.
What is aspergillosis in birds?
Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus moulds that are common in the environment. In birds it most often affects the respiratory system, including the lungs and air sacs.
Is aspergillosis contagious between birds?
Aspergillosis is generally acquired from fungal spores in the environment rather than being passed directly from one bird to another. Finding a case should prompt a close look at possible environmental sources of mould and dampness.
What are the signs of aspergillosis or respiratory trouble in a bird?
Possible signs include laboured breathing, open-mouthed breathing, increased breathing effort, tail bobbing, voice changes, reduced appetite, weight loss and lethargy. Respiratory symptoms can have many causes, so they need assessment by an avian vet rather than being diagnosed at home.
Can I save mouldy bird seed by removing the bad pieces?
No. Throw the batch out. Visible mould may only be part of the problem, and you can't reliably separate contaminated food by picking through it.
What does mouldy bird seed look or smell like?
Look for visible mould, unusual discolouration, dampness, clumping or a dusty appearance that wasn't there before. A musty or earthy smell is another warning sign. If you're unsure about a batch, don't feed it.
Can mould be present even if I can't see it?
Yes. Mould growth isn't always obvious from the surface, particularly in stored food or porous materials. Dampness, clumping and a musty smell can be clues before visible patches appear.
Can I use bleach to clean mould around my bird?
Never use bleach or other strong cleaning products with your bird in the room. Bleach can release irritating fumes. If it is used, keep the bird well away, ventilate thoroughly and follow the product directions for rinsing and drying. For routine bird areas, we prefer a purpose-made disinfectant suitable for bird environments.
How long can fresh food stay in a bird's cage?
A couple of hours is a sensible general guide for fresh fruit, vegetables and other wet foods, particularly in warm climates. Remove them sooner in very hot weather or if the food starts drying out, warming up or looking questionable.
How do I stop soaked seed from going mouldy?
Start with clean equipment, rinse the seed thoroughly, follow the recommended soaking time and rinse again before feeding. Refrigerate anything being kept for later and remove uneaten soaked seed from the cage promptly. If it smells sour, becomes slimy or shows mould, throw it out.
Does mould only grow in dirty bird cages?
No. Moisture is the bigger issue. Even a regularly cleaned cage or aviary can develop mould if areas remain wet, ventilation is poor or food and porous materials don't dry properly.
How often should I clean my bird's cage to prevent mould?
Food and water bowls should be cleaned daily, while wet food, damp substrate and obvious mess should be dealt with as it happens. Give the cage or aviary a thorough regular clean and increase the frequency during wet or humid weather. Most importantly, make sure cleaned surfaces have a chance to dry completely.
