Introduction

As birds age, just as with humans, the chances that they will acquire neoplasias rise, and because they are living longer, we are seeing more deaths from cancer. Their increased life-spans are due to protection from climate changes and predation; better nutrition; improved, regular veterinary care; and preventative and healing treatments for illnesses. Today, companion birds are living twice as long as they did even ten years ago. Cockatiels are living into their 30’s and budgies into their 20’s given optimum environments. Advances in avian medicine are improving the quality of life for pet birds; even so, some types of cancer can be seen in pet birds as young as four or five years of age. Here, we follow the progression of various malignant and benign growths that birds develop over their lifetimes and examine the existing treatments available for them.