Is a macaw supposed to have a swelling where the neck joins the body?

[emmett518]

As many of you know, I've rescued a plucked Scarlet macaw. Since her chest is bare, it's easy to see the actual shape of her body. I've noticed that she has a lump, approximately the size of a third of a lime, on the chest, right below where the neck meets the body.

Is this normal? I might not be noticing it on my other macaws since they have a solid coat of feathers.

Thanks

 

[sssaucey]

From what your describing it sounds like it may be the crop, would you be able to take a picture?

 

[Klaery]

Sounds very much like you are describing her crop. This is where birds store food prior to digestion.

 

[emmett518]

 

[emmett518]

She's out of her cage, and roaming on the parrot stand. She's a great bird!

 

[weco]

Yep, looks like a crop.....watch it & maybe take a pic of it first thing in the morning & then after she eats.....it should have expended.....

 

[Mayden]

I always think plucked birds look really ugly - like chickens ready to be ate from a store!

But there is something so endeering about them too, real cuties.

Looks like her crop to me, seems normal. Should get bigger and smaller as she eats and digests food.

 

[sssaucey]

It's hard to say what it should look like without all of the feathers, although that is the crop. As long as it's not always large and does go down when she's not eating than it's fine.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I just finished giving both my big Macs a shower, and I have to say that neither one of them have their crop extended like that. I purposely held the shower head into the direction of the crop to have a closer look while their sopping wet. And yes, they've had their breakfast already, but they look nothing like this.

I've honestly never seen an adult macaw with such a huge crop extension. Did she gorge on some food before that picture was taken?

 

[MissyMe83]

I have to agree with Wendy. Even if she was fully feathered I think that buldge would be evident. I would suggest a vet check up to be sure!

 

[Mayden]

I think it looks like the macaws just eaten. But it could be sour crop or a blockage or something else if it looks TOO swollen to everyone else.

Maybe a vet check is best just so she gets the all clear or they can help out if there is something wrong.

 

[Cami]

Please take her to an avian vet as soon as possible, JerseyWendy & MissyMe are right. Do you smell a sour smell from her crop?


I'm in school, I have classes during the morning and at night, then there are the many hours of studying. I noticed Spencer's crop just a little bit larger then usual in mid March, I thought he had just eaten so I didn't think much of it.


Although I couldn't spend a lot of time with him because of school & studying (plus I just moved, boxes everywhere and I live alone).
I needed to let him out of the cage so he could have a bit a fun, play climb etc...then I started noticing it a bit more of the enlarged crop and when I pressed my fingers on it or hugged him when it was extended it would deflate and I would smell a very sour smell.

I specifically observed for a week, then got him to the vet where they did a culture. It was a type of bacterial infection, he was prescribed an antibiotic and today all is good.

 

[Oedipussrex]

Does the crop still empty properly when a bird has sour crop?

Because to me, this doesn't look that different to pickle's crop before he goes to bed. (he does shove a lot of his dinner in).
I figured it was just that obvious because he is bald and because it was emptying normally i never thought anything of it until i read your comments. :/

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here is a link to "sour crop" or "crop stasis":

BirdVeterinarian

 

[Mayden]

Does the crop still empty properly when a bird has sour crop?

Because to me, this doesn't look that different to pickle's crop before he goes to bed. (he does shove a lot of his dinner in).
I figured it was just that obvious because he is bald and because it was emptying normally i never thought anything of it until i read your comments. :/

Thats why I thought it was normal. Merlin does the same, shovels food down before bed and when we have him napping with us before his real bed time his crop is huge. (Obviously he's only a senegal so a bad comparison to a macaw, but you see my reasoning!)

It IS the macaws crop, just wether the crop is fine or not might be a different matter. With sour crop it's a case of there might be a blockage for some reason causing the food to not empty the crop, causing a build up of bacteria etc. (which results in a nasty smell!)

Can be life threatening if not seen to by a vet asap - but it's easily treatable too. Vet visit to be on the safe side I'd say! Keep us updated Emmett!

 

[emmett518]

How do you go about finding a decent avian vet who won't break the bank?

Any recommendations in New England?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here are a few links I found. I don't know if any of them are near you though.

Westchester NY Exotic Pet Veterinarian, Bird Specialist, Vets | Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics

Recommended Avian (Bird) Vets

New England Veterinary Medical Center

 

[MikeyTN]

Here's the deal! If you can't afford the vet when they get sick, you need to give up the birds for someone else who can! Why bother rescuing them when you can't provide better health care? I rescue birds too and everything comes out of my pocket!

Here's one thing to check, quit feeding him by removing all food and see if the sac goes down. If goes down its just food he just ate. I have another bird that looks that way when she over stuff her face. But seriously think about vet visit!

 

[U2gal]

I always think plucked birds look really ugly - like chickens ready to be ate from a store!

That is a terribly mean thing to say to someone on their thread when they have a plucked bird.

 

[U2gal]

How's the scarlet today?