21/10/2025
Hello from the team at Calgary Avian & Exotic Pet Clinic — we’d like to share some important information if you keep pet birds, given the recent situation at Butterfield Acres and ongoing reports of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in Alberta.
What’s happening:
• Butterfield Acres has confirmed cases of avian influenza among some of their birds and has temporarily closed to visitors as a precaution. 
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is actively monitoring bird-flu cases across Canada, and advises bird-owners to take preventative biosecurity steps. 
How this affects pet-birds:
• Pet birds (especially those with outdoor exposure or in aviaries) can be at risk of exposure through contact with wild birds, contaminated feed or water, droppings, or shared outdoor spaces. 
• Birds kept fully indoors with no contact with wild birds are lower risk — but vigilance is still important.
What you can do today:
✅ Keep your pet birds indoors or in a fully enclosed aviary where wild bird access is prevented.
✅ Prevent access by wild birds to your bird’s feed, water and enclosure — store feed securely, avoid outdoor bird-feeder overlap.
✅ Clean and disinfect cages, perches, feeders regularly and thoroughly; ensure bedding/feed is from trusted sources.
✅ Avoid letting pet birds, or your household birds, interact (directly or indirectly) with wild birds, wild bird droppings, or come into contact with zones of known bird flu outbreaks.
✅ Monitor your birds daily for any signs of illness: lethargy, decreased appetite, respiratory symptoms (wheezing, nasal discharge), swelling of head/eyes/neck, sudden death — if you see anything concerning, contact us immediately. 
✅ If you are in contact with poultry farms, bird-farms, or zones with known wild-bird infection, change clothes/shoes when moving between those areas and your bird’s environment.
A few extra notes:
• At present, the risk of bird flu to humans is very low when birds are handled safely and cooked poultry/eggs are used properly. 
• This is a “better safe than sorry” situation. Even though your pet birds may appear healthy, preventing exposure is the best strategy.
• If you are planning to purchase new birds, or move birds into your home/aviary, it’s an especially good time to review biosecurity and ensure strict quarantine.
• If you find sick or dead wild birds on your property, avoid touching them and report them to the appropriate wildlife or government authority. 
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📞 Need more help or want to chat? Feel free to call us at 403-240-3577. We’re happy to give tailored advice for your bird(s). Let’s work together to keep your feathered friends safe and healthy!
Thank you for being vigilant and proactive — together we can help protect our pet birds in Calgary during this time.
Stay safe,
Calgary Avian & Exotic Pet Clinic 🦜❤️
