I'm hoping one, some, or all the experts out there can help me with my confusion.

 

Bluey is now 5 years old and has a brown cere.

 

 

As a young bird, went through the pink then blue cere (not sure of the age- maybe 12month, 2years) and also became very attached to me. To the extent of trying to mate with my big toe.

Made me think he was male as the only other active sexual behaviour I've seen from other domestic animals comes from the male of the species with the females being very passive.

But Bluey's behaviour - regurgitating seed, pin-point irises, wing possessively wrapped around my toes and rubbing his/her vent area onto my foot to the extent of leaving a small puddle of milky liquid at the end. It was really just like he had jacked off on my foot.

 

Can someone set me straight? I understand that he is a cock then we may be in trouble with his health.

I'm trying to get some better photos while the light is good but as yet haven't got them loaded.

 

I'm starting to get a little concerned now as the bird is the most beautiful pet, such a sweet, gentle nature.

 

Thanks, Hezz

Very much a hen!

 

A mauve hen at that too!

 

okay read a bit better and maybe she is a he with hormonal problems. Are the insides of it's nostrils blue at all? At what point did bluey's cere turn brown - recently & suddenly?

 

A better picture of his/her cere showing good detail on the inside of the nostrils would be good. Also do you have any photos of bluey with a blue cere?

Based on ALL the info you have provided I say male with hormonal issues..........can be just hormonal imbalance or a testicular cancer issue too.

 

By the way.....females also hump inanimate objects too but dont leave behind "evidence"

Edited February 16, 201114 yr by **KAZ**

Thanks nubbly5 and Kaz for your timely replies,

 

I'm not really sure when his cere turned brown but I feel that it must have been over a period of time as I didn't really notice that it had changed until one day looked and went hey, Bluey's gone brown!

I had just assumed it had been a gradual thing.

 

I was aware of the testicular cancer thing - that's what has me worried, but didn't know they could have other more benign hormonal issues. When I think about it, others in the animal world do, so why not birds?

 

Next question - how do I look into this, besides a trip to the vet, and what are my options there? (Sorry, that's two questions)

 

I will try again with photos but his mate keeps sticking her beak into things when we are trying to focus in on Bluey.

 

Cheers'

Hezz

 

Sorry, forgot to add, I had looked at the early photos of Bluey and in some his cere looks pink (earlier ones) and others blue but the photos aren't close-up or really focused on his face.

 

Hezz

Read this

 

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index.php?showtopic=28026

Thanks Kaz,

 

Wow, what a difference a little iodine made!!

 

Here's hoping for such a simple remedy for the Blue bird.

 

I'll have to chase it up when I'm out and about tomorrow

 

Thanks again

Hezz

In case there is anyone who had been following Bluey's story, Here is an up-date.

 

He has been on the iodine for 4 days now and while I'm not going to comment on whether we can see any change in the colour of his cere (I'll leave that for a little while yet), I've certainly noticed a difference in the bird's behaviour.

I had assumed he had moved into middle-age and was too "grown-up" for all those things that the "younger generation" get up to, but I have to say he is a much chirpier bird than before. Not just in voice either but he seems to be much more energetic and has even been almost acrobatic around the cage - in the way he used to when younger.

 

I'm pleasantly surprised - if that's what a little iodine can do I'll keep him on it regardless of whether it resolves his brown cere.

Many thanks for the tip Kaz.

 

Will update again soon

Hezz

 

 

that sounds like a good step forward for little Bluey

Thanks Nerwen,

 

its really good to see. He used to come to the side of the cage and talkto me as well, but had stopped doing that gradually. I had put it down to moving into the new,much bigger cage, but the last couple of days he has been doing it again and gently nibbling my finger through the bars, like before. I love it!!

 

Hezz

thats great i know i have not followed this topic but i read his problem at the start and its great thats hes getting better.

 

some one said its a she so is it she or he?

bluey is a he - from the story and info it was clear we has a male with issues (just using the picture all would think hen)

Thanks, again, Nerwen. Yes amanda, Bluey is a cock but his cere has gradually changed colour over time (not sure how long). From info gleaned from here, vet etc, Bluey may have:

1. Iodine deficiency -easily treated.

2. Hormonal imbalance - not too sure how we go about treating that (haven't got that far) or

3. Testicular cancer - sounds horrible doesn't it?

 

For the moment we are trying the iodine - it seems that the change back in colour of the cere can happen remarkably quickly once - over the course of a week or two. It's really just hypothyroidism, same as people get. So hence the updates on his story. Started the iodine last Friday so still have a while to go before we can say its one or the other. I am of course hoping for a change as the iodine is easy to give and easy to get hold of, if the poor little darling has to have it as a supplement for the rest of his life.

 

If this doesn't work, we see the vet and find out the next course of action.

 

Cheers,

Hezz