Blocked Nose

[Aussie Ben]

Buddy my tiel has become somewhat of a messy eater over the last few years and doesn't clean her face as well as she used to (I sometimes have to wipe it lol). This morning after breakfast, i noticed that her right nostril/nare is blocked with some mushy green peas. It's completely caked in and blocked it over (flush with the front of her nares), but it doesn't seem to be causing her any discomfort as she is her usual chirpy self. The only way I can think of getting it out is to use something with a point but I REALLY don't think that is a good idea and would never recommend that to anyone. Do you guys think this will resolve itself over the next few days?. I reckon a good sneeze may shake it loose.

 

[Spiritbird]

Other than a vet visit the only thing I can think of is to spritz the head with warm water several times and then see if it softens. Are you sure it is peas and not a nasal discharge. Green is not a good color to see on the nose area.

 

[antoinette]

Oh dear Ben, a blocked nostril. As AB mentioned a visit to the vet, if it does not clear up. Try a piece of cotton wool, in warm water, and wipe it a few times.
It happened with Mishka before, but I knew it was food, used the cotton wool, dipped it in warm water and it did the trick.
Another alternative use a "birdiewipe"

Please keep us updated okay

 

[Aussie Ben]

I'm pretty sure its not discharge as the other side is completely clean and healthy and it doesn't look like discharge (it looks like veggie mash lol). However, I will keep an eye on it to make sure it isn't something worse. She practically bathed herself in the veggie bowl this morning and had a very messy face, so i am assuming thats when it happened. The only other thing that it could be is poop. She has a perch that sometimes receives the odd birdie bomb and she rubs her beak on it sometimes so maybe thats it.

One thing I did try (cruel as it sounds) was gently blowing on her face to make her shake her head. I thought maybe that would knock it loose but no luck unfortunately. She is sleeping now, but i will try some of your suggestions tomorrow. If it doesn't dislodge over the next couple of days, I'll pop down the vet and ask them to have a look.

 

[Aussie Ben]

Okay, so, I got worried and went and disturbed her slumber lol. I held her head still and gently wiped my finger over her nose to see if it would dislodge. Well it started to come out, but then she wiggled and it went back in again. I had not luck at all after that. Its a good thing she trusts me or my hands would be bleeding with bird bites now lol. Although, she wasn't to impressed, I could tell hehe. I think I'll try again tomorrow, no point in disturbing her any more seeing as it isn't really bothering her (only me).

 

[Spiritbird]

I do not know how to make a bird sneeze but that might blow it off. I have one more idea. If you have a syringe fill it with warm water (assuming your bird has seen one before) and try to let it drip over the stuck food. Then take your wet Q tip and hopefully it will dislodge.

 

[antoinette]

I do not know how to make a bird sneeze but that might blow it off.

It's easy You say sneeze and the bird goes yachoo yachoo

 

[apatrimo94]

NEVER FEAR!!! DR. AP IS HERE!!! lol

I have my cockatiels for dummies book. Flipped through it and found your solution. Since it's food, just moisten the crusty food once in a while to soften it up, and eventually, Buddy will snort/sneeze it out. No worry or harm done.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I think you need a bird less fit for polite society - like Auggie.

He picks his nose on occasion with no shame whatsoever.

Lots of ideas here - and plenty could be worth a shot, but I suspect she'll get it out herself when she's ready.

 

[antoinette]

I think you need a bird less fit for polite society - like Auggie.

He picks his nose on occasion with no shame whatsoever.

Hope our fid's don't read this post it could be contagious

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Or maybe he's just mimicking his owner :\

 

[antoinette]

Or maybe he's just mimicking his owner :\

You took the words out my mouth

I was trying to be polite

 

[Spiritbird]

Let me introduce you to the new yellow-winged nose picker.

Sorry guys I could not resist this one.

 

[Aussie Ben]

HAHA you guys are crazy

Well thankyou all for your help and suggestions, but i am pleased to report that all green pea mush has vacated the area. Whatever I did to it last night must have loosened it as when I checked a few hours later, it was gone . Maybe she did pick her nose lol.

At least I have some ideas on what I can do next time. Its bound to happen again, she is such a messy eater.

 

[antoinette]

Hey Ben happy it clear up, now you must introduce Buddy to "Birdiewipes"
uses them, but then again she is a "lady" (well I think so anyway)

 

[ale3ander_CYP]

Good evening everyone,
I have an African Grey parrot, now 3 years old, named Socrates, which has a running nose and eyes problem since birth. I have been advised by several specialists that this occasionally happens, but except some temporary treatments there is nothing permanent that can be done. When the bird was younger and we were able to hold it, we used sanitized water and the plastic part of a syringe and by sucking we were able to open its nostrils and help Socrates breathe normally. Now this becomes harder as the bird does not like us doing this anymore and the only thing we can do is spray him thoroughly with clean water which helps it clean its nose. However, as it gets older, it gets blocked nostrils more often and we are worried and concerned that it might suddenly have breathing problems.
Has this problem occurred to any of you or maybe you have heard of such situations before? I also attach a couple of photos of Socrates, after having him sprayed with water and been cleaned by itself.

Thank you in advance,
Alexis