Hi there, it's been a while since I've posted here but I've just noticed poor old Beaky has a strange mark on his nose (cere). I'm pretty sure it wasn't there yesterday as I noticed it straight away today when he came out of his cage. Please see attached close up photo. Otherwise, he seems his usual self, he's certainly lively and active and chirping enough.

 

It looks almost like a hole of some kind below and to the right of his nostril. Any idea what it is? It's not a bite mark by any chance is it? I did hear him have a minor squabble with his buddy yesterday but that is fairly common and he's never had any damage from that before.

 

Should I take him to the vet or will it just heal up and go away? It's definitely dry now but it looks as though there may previously have been some discharge, i'd almost say it's more of a scab now.

 

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7712/beakyzx7.jpg

 

If it's a bite I will have to keep them apart, I normally keep them separated when I'm out and let them play together when I'm around to keep an eye but obviously boys being boys...

 

PS: While I'm on the subject of ceres, is he supposed to have all those white flaky bits on it?

Edited September 28, 200717 yr by Bea
image linked due to size

The flakes are probably from him rubbing his beak on different objects. Merlin like to rub his beak and cere on the branches we have in his cage. As for the hole I can't see it very well maybe due to my old eyes or my old computer (Laughing out loud). So I will let someone else comment.

The flakes are probably from him rubbing his beak on different objects. Merlin like to rub his beak and cere on the branches we have in his cage. As for the hole I can't see it very well maybe due to my old eyes or my old computer (Laughing out loud). So I will let someone else comment.

 

okay, cheers, he's not any worse this morning but I haven't looked very closely at his cere as I don't have a magnifying glass. You are right, he does like to rub his beak on things, particularly his iodine block.

I didn't even see the hole on first glance, but i can see it now. I really have no idea what it might be, but hopefully someone can help you out.

I've just noticed Beaky also has what looks like a fairly deep scrach on one side of his beak (the other side to where the mark on his cere is). I can't think of any way he could do this himself, could that be a bite mark too?

it does sound like it was inflicted by another bird

The cere looks okay. If it was a bite mark from the squabble it's sounds like it is healing okay with the scab. Watching him closely to see if it bothering him at ll.

The cere looks okay. If it was a bite mark from the squabble it's sounds like it is healing okay with the scab. Watching him closely to see if it bothering him at ll.

 

Thanks for all your advice, the mark seems less noticable now. He certainly doesn't seem to be behaving any differently from normal, he's very active and chirpy as usual. I have been keeping a close eye on the birds when I let them out to play together to ensure it doesn't happen again.

good to hear Gary

Glad Beaky's beak is returning to normal.