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Birds--General/Beak Trimming

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Expert: - 7/30/2006


Question
We have a Orange Crested Conure.  His beak is unnaturally long and it is beginning to get in the way of his eating.  He will not use the stone we put in his cage (its banana flavored).  He does use the sanding perch.  How do you trim the beak?  Do you clip it off or file it?  We don't want to cause too much stress, but we need to do something.  Please help.

Answer
Hi, Renee.  Thanks for posting.

If you don't know how to do this, you need to take your conure to an avian veterinarian to have this done.  There's a main vein that runs through the beak and if you clip that vein, your concure could bleed to death.  Is the beak just long at the tip or is it also curving to the left or right?  If it is curving in either direction, i.e., one side is growing longer than the other, you need to have an avian vet diagnose the problem...this type of overgrowth is not normal.

Basically, just the end/tip needs to be trimmed/clipped off (you can use fingernail or toenail clippers), then the edges filed down if necessary so they are smooth and natural shape.  You can clip or file the beak, however, clipping the tip is easier on the bird.  You might have to use a Dremel tool or nail file to smooth up the edges.  Birds don't like this being done to them so be prepared!  However, you must be careful not to clip the vein running down the beak.  Lots of birds don't like the beak stones and you should not use any type of perch with sandpaper covers.  The sandpaper is not good for the parrot's feet and you don't want the bird eating the sandpaper.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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