Overview
The easiest way to discover avian vets or exotic bird vets is to use our find a vet tool. Simply click the link, enter your postcode, and click on the list of nearby vets until you find one which is listed as exotic friendly (you may need to click on more info for each veterinary practice). Alternatively, you can try our referrals guide. In this case, select the pull-down menu called referral services and select avian.
How do I find an avian vet near me?
You may have to travel to find an avian vet with the right skills and experience, but it’s vital to be registered with a practice in case your pet bird needs treatment. Even if they don’t provide care for your exotic birds themselves, most vets will be happy to recommend a practice that does.
If you don’t manage to find a nearby avian vet using our find a vet tool, try the Parrot Society's list of avian vets by county or this resource from the charity Birdline UK. Another good resource is the RCVS find a vet page. Filter your search by 'animals treated' to find practices that treat birds.
Things to think about when choosing an avian vet
Once you’ve found yourself an avian vet or practice that offers care for pet birds, you might want to ask yourself these questions before registering your bird:
Is the veterinary practice in a convenient location, easy to travel to and close to your home?
Do the staff have a friendly, caring and professional manner?
Are they qualified, knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to exotic bird care?
Do they provide daytime and out-of-hours care?
Are the surgery and reception area clean and tidy?
Does the vet explain things in a way that’s easy to understand?
Is there parking nearby, or good public transport links?
Find your nearest exotic bird vet using our find a vet page. For more information on visiting a vet click here.
What exactly is an exotic pet?
The term exotic is used to describe a variety of animals, including:
Budgies, cockatiels, and parrots
Tortoises, terrapins, and turtles
Geckos, bearded dragons, and other lizards
Snakes such as corn snakes, and other pet snakes
Spiders, scorpions, and other arachnids
Exotic fish
Not all vets have experience and expertise in looking after exotic pets, so having access to a vet who knows how to treat your exotic pet is really important for their health and wellbeing. Please use this resource to find the best possible care for your exotic pet.
Handy guide to finding a bird vet
Here's a helpful table that summaries all the places you can find an avian vet:
Method | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
Find a Vet Tool | Enter your postcode to find nearby vets, look for those listed as 'exotic friendly'. | |
Referrals Guide | Use the pull-down menu, select 'referral services', and choose 'avian'. | |
Parrot Society List | A list of avian vets by county, provided by the Parrot Society. | |
Birdline UK Resource | A resource from the charity Birdline UK for finding avian vets. | |
RCVS | Search for practices that treat 'birds' to find experienced avian vets. |
In the UK, many avian vets have a certificate in exotic animal medicine and surgery — while others simply have lots of experience in dealing with birds.
You'll want your avian vet to know everything there is to know — but when you think about the vast range of animals that can be kept as pets, that’s a lot to ask. It’s no wonder avian vets and veterinary care for exotic birds can be hard to come by.
Medically reviewed by
Published on 04/10/2018 • Reviewed on 04/04/2024