You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Pet Birds
- Birds--General
- brown matted feathers above cere
Birds--General/brown matted feathers above cere
Advertisement
Question
We adopted a male budgie approximately 5 months old. His cap feathers just above his cere is matted in brown. It hasn't changed. I cannot find any pictures or information that suggest it might be mites or a disease. His beak and cere are fine, just the feathers the join the cere, about 2 millimeters wide and the length of the cere. Could it be from not having a friend to preen him here? I'm concerned that it isn't a health issue as we are getting a 6 week old to join him soon.
Thank you for your input!
Hi, Gwen,
Have you tried to "wash" this area with warm water on a cotton ball or Q-tip to see if this could be dried on food or something else like this? Sometimes birds get their heads down in their food, which can result in food all over their face. Could this be a female budgie? Females have brown/tan/beige/white ceres and when they come into breeding condition, their ceres turn crusty-looking dark brown. Otherwise, I'd need to see a picture of this area to try and determine what might be going on. Perhaps you need to seek certified avian vet medical assistance if you are concerned about a health issue. Could also be that the bird has a respiratory problem and stuff coming out of the nostrils is landing on this area causing the problem. Does your bird have any liquid/discharge from its cere/nostrils?
Chrys
Related Articles
- Symptoms of Illness in Pet Birds - How to Tell if Your Bird is Sick - Signs of Sickness in Birds
- Bird Feather Conditioners - Do Birds Need a Feather Conditioner - Feather Sprays
- You're Bound to Catch Something - New Nurse
- Signs of Illness - Dog Owner's Organizer
- Mold, Mildew, and Other Concerns - Landlording
Answers by Expert:
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.