Psittacine Beek Feather Disease (PBFD) causes fatal infections in young birds,primarily. Older birds can overcome the disease with few long-lasting effects. These surviving birds will become carriers that will shed the disease at a later date.

The virus that causes PBFD can also affect the liver, brain, and immune system of the affected bird causing reduced resistance to infections.

PBFD diagnosis is done by analysing the skin of feather and shaft, or PCR testing of blood and feather samples. Also, testing for PBFD-specific antibodies can reveal important information about a possible infection.