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Birds--General/cere care
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Question
We have had our budgie for 3 years and his cere has grown and sticks out, I have only noticed since we have looked after another budgie for a week and that bugie does not have it. My questions is; is there something wrong and should I take my budgie to the vet, or is it normal for the cere to be quite large?. Thanks very much. Loren
Hi, Loren. Thanks for posting!
Are you sure your budgie is a he and not a she? What color is the cere?
It isn't normal for a cere to "grow and stick out." However, if this budgie is a female and the cere is dark brown and crusty looking (which some people describe as growing), it means the budgie is a female and she's in breeding condition. Regardless of color, if the cere looks like a wart, it could be scaly mites...do the legs/feet look like warts also? Scaly mites bury under the skin of budgies/keets and raise the skin so it looks like warts. This is easily treatable by a drop or two of a medication you can get from a bird vet. Scaly mites usually come from wood/sticks from outside and that are used as perches without being disinfected and dried out.
Otherwise, you might need to take your budgie in for an evaluation by an avian vet if it isn't either of the 2 solutions above.
Come back with more information and I'll help further if possible.
Chrys
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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.
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