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Birds--General/Budgee scaly face vs breeding cere

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Expert: - 6/17/2006


Question
Our budgee had little growths around its eyes. We thought it might be from being in breeding condition, but now I have found out about scaly face caused by mites. It's yellowish with a tint of pink, mostly around the eyes but a bit around the mouth.

Answer
Hi, Amin.  Thanks for posting.

I've never seen scaly mites around a budgie's eyes, however, I suppose they could infest that area.  Usually, scaly mites are seen on the cere and, thus, around the beak, and on the legs and feet.  Scaly mites bury themselves under the bird's skin so the infested area looks like warts and is the same color as the bird's skin.  A female budgie in breeding condition will have a crusty-looking, brown cere.  

Based on your description that this is yellowish (not sure what to make of pinkish tint), I'd suspect this yellowish stuff might be an infection of some sort.  Scaly mite infestation doesn't usually turn yellowish, unless some sort of infection is present.  Does your budgie have the sniffles or any type of fluid, crusty stuff around it's cere?

I'd recommend an avian veterinarian evaluation in order to determine exactly what your budgie is suffering from.  With either condition I mentioned, you'll need prescription medication only a vet can prescribe.

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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