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Birds--General/Spot on beak of cockatiel

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Expert: - 12/14/2006


Question
Hi Chrys
I have had 2 cockatiels for almost a year and when I came home from work 2 weeks ago, one of them had a spot (bruise?) on her beak.  Should I be worried because it hasn't healed. I figured she had bumped something in her cage.

History:
Both cockatiels reside in the same cage (large cage).  Both are females (was told by pet store that one was male and one was female), but both have laid eggs- hense both females.  They "tolerate" each other in the cage.  I make sure they have fresh food and water everyday and let them out of the cage to bond (love) them every night after work.

Thank you for your response,
Julie

Answer
Hi, Julie.  Thanks for posting!

I have to say this is something new to me.  I've never heard of a bird's beak bruising.  I'll do more research about this and get back to you.  There's nothing in my avian reference manuals that address this.  A bird's beak is made of the same material our fingernails and toenails are made of, therefore, this substance itself doesn't bruise.  I suppose it's possible that the vein that runs down a bird's beak could have bled and resulted in a beak bruise, however, this would have had to have been the result of some type of injury, which would mean you would have seen blood coming from the nostrils or mouth.  

Are your birds young birds?  Perhaps their coloration is still coming out if they are young.  

I'll get back to you.

Chrys

Birds--General

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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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