an acute or chronic disease of birds, esp. birds of the parrot order, caused by a bacterium (Chlamydia psittaci): often transmitted to humans, in whom it is characterized by fever and pneumonia
See psittacosis in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(sĭtˌə-kōˈsĭs)
noun
An infectious disease of parrots and related birds caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, that is communicable to humans, in whom it produces high fever, severe headache, and symptoms similar to pneumonia. Also called parrot fever.