Hi everyone,

 

I've noticed for the last few days that my male budgie Jack's cere gradually seems to be getting lighter. It's losing it's deep blue colour & has now become quite pale.

 

Has anyone seen this before & or does anyone know why that would happen in a male? I've had him for 3 years now & this is the first time this has happened.

 

Thanks!

Edited September 10, 200717 yr by Bea

do you have any pics of your bird?

Males can sometimes develop tumours on their testis, which stop them from releasing testosterone and can cause the cere to change colour.

Sometimes, testicular tumours can also impede the sciatic nerves, which is the major flexing nerve of the leg and they can develop leg problems. I would get him checked out by an avian vet., just to get a diagnosis and make yourself feel better, because if it is a tumour then it may pay to act early.

If he is a old bird,the cere will lose colour.Or if he is light in condition & has worms or some other complaint.Its hard to tell without a picture & even then,might not be able to tell.

I've finally been able to take some photos of Jack. I had loaned my camera to my brother & he just gave it back to me the other day. Sorry for the links but I found that when I shrunk the pictures that you couldn't see his cere as much. They're a bit dark due to lack of flash, but it was the only way I could prevent his cere from being washed out. He is about 3 years old right now, so he really is quite young. In all other respects, his behaviour has been entirely normal & there's nothing unusual about his droppings or his appetite.

 

I hope this helps. If need be I will of course take him to the vet, but I'm crossing my fingers for advice that doesn't tell me I need to do that - I have a sick dog on my hands right now, so her vet bills are getting quite expensive....

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to check these pictures out!

 

 

 

 

 

Your pictures are very dark :yellowhead:

It's like Macka said he could have worms, have you wormed him lately. His cere doesn't look to bad from where I am sitting :yellowhead:

I just tried to lighten your photo hope you don't mind,

Edited September 26, 200717 yr by splat

sorry about the darkness kaz, as i said i had no choice but to turn the flash off elsewise it washed his face/cere out...

 

i haven't wormed him because to be honest, i don't know how to?? glad to hear you think his cere looks alright splat, it's just been quite a change from a solid dark blue to this almost brownish colour (like a hen's) that's throwing me off. And no worries about lightening the photo, sorry they weren't the best quality!

Normaly when a cock birds cere goes to a browny colour means they are out of condition. Or sick. Maybe you should go to the vet and get some worm syrup and they will tell you how much and how to worm him. Good Luck :yellowhead:

The cere looks pretty normal to me..

When a cock cere turns brownish it can be a sign of testicular cancer per the avian vet I spoke to in person when I brought Merlin in for a check-up. A cock's cere doesn't turn brown if he is out of condition that would be a female only. I would be concerned and take him into an avian vet for a through check-up.

Edited September 28, 200717 yr by KAZ

Thank you for the replies, and thank you, Elly, for asking your avian vet about this! I'm going to give them a call rightnow & try to set up an appointment. I, of course care about all my birds, but I have to say that Jack is the one who "started" the process that led to me now having 7 of them - the thought of there being anything wrong with him is so worrying!! Thankfully I had a workshop this morning so I'm actually home early enough to call the vet while they're still open!

 

When a cock cere turns brownish it can be a sign of testicular cancer per the avian vet I spoke to in person when I brought Merlin in for a check-up. A cock's cere doesn't turn brown if he is out of condition that would be a female only. I would be concerned and take him into an avian vet for a through check-up.

Let us know what happens. Your welcome.