You are here:

Birds--General/parakeet's beak

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/20/2007


Question
We are worried about our parakeet.  It looks like the tip of her beak may be cracked and it looks like there is blood in her mouth.  She is moving her mouth and it is making a crackling noise.

Answer
Hi, Colleen,

Did the bird fall or run into a wall or something...how did the beak crack?  It would be helpful to know this.  Otherwise, you need to have this bird seen by a certified avian vet ASAP who can assess the damage, if any.  The presence of blood doesn't sound good.  There's a vein that runs down the beak and if the crack reached this vein, this is the likely cause of the blood.  However, could be an injury inside the mouth, sinuses, etc.  This is why a vet needs to examine the bird.  The crackling noise might be related, however, when birds are content and in a sleeping/relaxing mode, they grind their beaks, so this could be the noise you are hearing.  Depends on what's going on at the time you hear this noise.

Chrys

Birds--General

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.