Chronic Beak - Rubber

[laurendelfing]

So, I am a new bird mom, who just brought home an eclectus over the weekend. He was a consignment bird, approximately 3-6 years in age.

I have noticed that he seems to rub his beak on EVERYTHING. The bars of his cage, his sand perch, my pillows, etc. Most of what I can find online says that it's totally normal, however, being new at this I still don't feel comfortable. I have also noticed small scratch marks on his beak from rubbing his beak on the perch. He regurgitates reguarly, and some sources say that it is to remove excess food, but I was just wondering if anyone else has had this issue.

Thanks!

 

[Mike17]

Most of our eccies are beak rubbers. Our tame guy Alex will rub his beak on the edge of the table, on our hands, his perch, anywhere. I find it quite endearing apart from when he rubs goo onto us The scratch marks on his beak from sand perch are a small concern, but it's possible this behaviour is "natural beak trimming", too. Our hen, Ayu, chews on the ends of concrete perches- she has a small upper beak with a mildly malformed lower (we had it trimmed at vet's) while our 3 boys' upper mandibles are all a bit overlarge/long so wish they'd chew concrete more!

 

[laurendelfing]

Thank you! I guess I'm just a little paranoid. I'm new at this and I'm terrified of making a mistake or missing the early signs of something that could potentially be a serious issue.

 

[Tate]

My boy generally only does it after eating or a shower and thoroughly wipes it all over the closest thing, be it cage bars, perches, chair, my face, to clean off any chunky bits of food or wipe off water, then often eats the bits he wiped off.. no wasting of food here

 

[rbreck]

Maui also rubs beak across bars and perches when he is feeling frisky.

 

[Anansi]

Yes, I wouldn't be worried at all about the beak rubbing. As Mike17 mentioned, it's their process of natural beak trimming. However, the regular regurgitation could be another matter. Now, if he is just intentionally bringing up his food to present it to you, then this is just his own nasty way of saying he loves you. (My eclectus is quite effusive with his love as well. Smh.) In such an instance, he is expressing his affection by attempting to feed you as he would a flockmate.

But if he's not regurgitating for presentation to you, if he's in fact regurgitating even when he's not on or near you, I would take him to the vet immediately. It could be a symptom of something serious.

 

[labell]

I agree with everyone on the beak rubbing, makes cleaning so fun especially after they have had something warm and sticky!
The regurgitation for boys can be quite common, some will do it more than others. Not only to people they like but toys they like as well and sometimes I swear it's just for their own amusement.
If you are seeing no other signs of illness he is probably just displaying what a responsible, loving, mate he would make.

 

[lpolliard]

Both are normal behaviors. My Ekkie regurgitates and likes to chew it a second time. Better than him giving me an unwanted present.

 

[Jumpingtadpoles]

From what I understand the beak actually grow from the middle, out, and then are helping it shed and trim by rubbing it. I've been trying to figure out how to gel my guy trim his down. I think it's too long and before it gets bad I'd like to see it get easier for him to keep short. I encourage beak rubbing.
Having a macaw rub his beak on your face, head or ears is FREAKY at first. Lol