Over grown beak

[alleng8304]

My rescue QP seems to have an overgrown beak. The bottom part is lighter in color and seems like a pale yellow outline of the bottom of the beak. There are two cuttle bones in the cage and he goes nowhere near them. I would give him wood to chew on but he is terrified of sticks that he is not standing on. He is starting to rub his peak on the perch. ? Thanks

 

[SilverSage]

We can’t tell you if it’s overgrown unless you send a picture


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Laurasea]

Hi welcome! Thanks for rescuing!! Rubbing the beak is normal. As is having a but if flaking and color difference. But we definitely can't tell you for sure unless you post a pic. At the bottom of the text box, click on the go advanced button, then click the paper clip button and add pictures. Or under your name click then go down and create an album, after you upload and Dave pictures, then click the picture and underneath the pic click the second box and hit copy then go to your text and paste. What do you know about about your new bird? Age, sex, diet? It takes time for the new guy to settle in and not be scared of all the new things in the cage. Quakers really love to play, so soon should start exploring and chewing destroying things. How long have you had?

 

[noodles123]

You do have it quarantined currently though right ? I just am a master at jumping to worst case scenarios....so...
Have you had it tested for things like PBFD and taken it to the vet for blood-work etc?

 

[LeslieA]

My rescue QP seems to have an overgrown beak. The bottom part is lighter in color and seems like a pale yellow outline of the bottom of the beak. There are two cuttle bones in the cage and he goes nowhere near them. I would give him wood to chew on but he is terrified of sticks that he is not standing on. He is starting to rub his peak on the perch. ? Thanks

Beak rubbing is common to ALL birds. Your avian vet can quickly tell you if there is a problem and address any dietary deficiencies he may or may not have. If the AV feels the beak is overgrown, it will be trimmed, explained and treated.

Cuttlebones and mineral blocks are not consumed by all birds. Again, your AV is your best source. The rescue or sanctuary probably contract with an AV that can explain supplements.

Beak discolorations may arise from several issues, some of which may have occurred prior to adoption.

As you may know, the beak is like your toenail in many ways. Discoloration is most commonly caused by four things.

1. Infection of the skin around the beak wil affect eating as will a 2. fungal infection of the mouth. Fungal infections usually are accompanied by thick, white saliva and tend to happen with sudden diet changes. 3. Obvious damage by a larger beak. 4. Compaction caused by hitting a window, wall or mirror. Another source of compaction comes from regularly impacting a window with the beak. Severe cases are referred to as "head banging." The discoloraction generally grows out with beak growth.

Again, I urge you to visit an AV. There are some reputable Avian Vets online, but I recommend you find one that will know your bird throughout time.

 

[alleng8304]

Thanks to all for reply. My rescue, originally Jack is now my cousin Vinny since he tried to steal my doughnut. I will post some pictures tomorrow in natural light. To me it looks like a fungal infection. Additionally, I need to get his nails clipped. He is free flight. I have had him since June , he is semi-tame- will step-up, likes scratches, on my shoulder etc. Talks a little and more when excited. Today, I learned his history. Vinny is 7 years old and was neglected and abandoned. The owner says Vinny was his nephew 's bird but no one took care of him. No wonder he fears things. I do believe that he was threatened with a wooden dowel since he goes nuts even at a popsicle stick.

I live in a small sleepy southern town-no AV-just cats and dogs

 

[Laurasea]

Hi Alleng, I have rescue quaker too named Penny. You will discover many hidden past trauma things, like the dowel. Mine had come with feather picking, if I cover the cage st night she goes nuts, think she was left covered A LOT, she afraid if brooms, and spray bottles..I love my Cousin Vinny!!! Great name. It's so wonderful he had you to start overcoming his past trauma with. Since June isn't long at all, still lots to learn about each other! I hope you are offering lots of freash veggies! I don't know your experience level and what sorts of stuff you need information on on? There are lots of threads on nutrition and what not here. Galergia always adds the links with how to find an avian vet, it can certainly be worth the drive to get the best care. Nutrition is one of the most important thingd to have a healthy happy long lived friend!! A secure travel cage and spending 15- 30 min in the sun and shade firs wondered for health, and direct not filtered by a window beun is very important. It helps mood, vision, feathers skin and bones, do I hope you will do this we would love to hear your story and adventures with My Cousin Vinny!!

 

[LaManuka]

I kinda liked “Stonewall Jackson”, but Cousin Vinny is cute too. New name for his new life! Pictures please

 

[Laurasea]

Some normal beaks for your viewing pleasure, Penny also has feather picked neck

 

[noodles123]

PBFD (very contagious) and liver problems are the 2 main BAD issues that I associate with a truly overgrown beak. If the top is overgrown, to me, that is more concerning that the mandibles on the bottom when speaking of cockatoos etc.



If a bird didn't have adequate opportunities to chew, that could also leak to beak overgrowth.

 

[Laurasea]

Hi noodles, are you talking about my quakers, reference pictures? Penny was checked by Avian vet and though I was a but concerned about her I was assured she has a normal beak....so don't freak me out lol!!! She was still the vet a month ago..

 

[Laurasea]

Noodles those are my quakers. Don't freak me out!!!! I had
Penny checked my a board certified avain vet, and was assured her beak is normal. I even asked specifically about her beak. This was just last month. Now I'm going to have to go through all her ok'd pictures to make sure there hasn't been any changes.

 

[noodles123]

Noodles those are my quakers. Don't freak me out!!!! I had
Penny checked my a board certified avain vet, and was assured her beak is normal. I even asked specifically about her beak. This was just last month. Now I'm going to have to go through all her ok'd pictures to make sure there hasn't been any changes.

NO NO LOLOL!
Yours look fine (thanks though!)
I was talking to OP!

 

[Laurasea]

Noodles those are my quakers. Don't freak me out!!!! I had
Penny checked my a board certified avain vet, and was assured her beak is normal. I even asked specifically about her beak. This was just last month. Now I'm going to have to go through all her ok'd pictures to make sure there hasn't been any changes.

NO NO LOLOL!
Yours look fine (thanks though!)
I was talking to OP!

Oh lordy!!!! Thanks I was scared some big time!!!!!! Thanks for quick response

 

[Sunnyclover]

How is the bird semi-tane if it steps up and receves scratches and sits on your shoulder? Isn't that all the way tame? Please explain why he isn't tame. Thank you... I'm just mostly curious.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Maybe there's an avian vet somewhere not too, too far from you. Here are some links.

Here they are, Laura!

Certified Avian Vets
https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803

 

[EllenD]

Again, we can't tell you whether or not your Quaker's beak is "overgrown" without seeing a photo of it. Usually in the case of a "rescue" parrot, any species, where the beak is actually overgrown, as in "too long", it's due to the bird being fed a diet that is high in fat it's entire life, typically a cheap seed-mix. The cheap seed-mixes for small to medium sized parrots usually contain very fatty seeds such as sunflower seeds, millet, etc. And when the bird is fed nothing but a seed-mix that is high in fat, over time this fat accumulates in their liver, and causes a condition called Fatty Liver Disease. And usually the very first visual sign of a bird having Fatty Liver Disease is an overgrown beak. Since you rescued your Quaker from a neglectful home, my assumption is that he was most-likely fed nothing but a cheap seed-mix that was high in fat, as it's extremely common. And even if his beak is not actually overgrown at this point, chances are that he still has the start of Fatty Liver Disease if he has eaten nothing but a cheap seed-mix his entire life...

If you post a photo of his beak from a couple of different angles, we can tell you our opinions on whether or not it is actually overgrown and needs to be trimmed. But if it is, you'll need to find a Certified Avian Vet to not only do the trimming, but to also do a routine blood-work panel to test his liver and kidney functions to confirm or rule-out Fatty Liver Disease. There are things you can do to help reverse the Fatty Liver Disease, supplements you can start giving him every day, such as Milk Thistle, that will help to reverse the liver damage. But first you need to confirm the diagnosis, because as mentioned above there are some much more serious and life-threatening conditions that can also cause their beaks to overgrow...

Either way, an overgrown beak can eventually cause them issues with eating, so it is something that you need to get looked at ASAP...

 

[alleng8304]

How is the bird semi-tane if it steps up and receves scratches and sits on your shoulder? Isn't that all the way tame? Please explain why he isn't tame. Thank you... I'm just mostly curious.

I guess you could say he is tame. But there are some trust issues yet. For example, if He gets on my shoulder and I walk away from the cage he will fly back.

 

[Laurasea]

Hi Alleng, hope you will post pic.

 

[alleng8304]

Hear is a picture of Vinny. He lounges at the camera. I will try to get a better one. I found an AV 50 miles away. I am sure he was feed cheap seed all his life. The former owner wants $ 150 rescue fee for bird and cage. I have been taking care of him since June.Cannot picture to load- choose paperclip and upload which it did-how do get pic in body of post Thx