does my parakeet have mites? :(

Hi! I literally just created this account just so I could get some help, my parakeets names are maui and lazuli and I purchased them
in around September (from pet smart, I know probably not the best idea??) and health wise they’ve been doing great and neither have been showing signs of pain, they play a chirp with each other all day. But lately I’ve been noticing redness and a kind of crustiness on maui’s cere but lazuli is perfectly fine, I’m honestly really scared because I’ve been doing some research and there’s a good chance it’s probably mites. I have no issue with treating him it’s just that maui doesn’t like to be held at ALL. So if it is mites and I have to treat maui I’m scared I won’t be able to do it successfully because I won’t be able to correctly place any medication on his cere without him running away from me. So if there are absolutely any tips what so ever whether it be any medication tips, at home treatment, or ways for me to be able to successfully medicate maui I’d greatly appreciate it! )

Hello, and welcome to the Parrot Forums family!

I personally don't have any experience with mites, but hopefully one of our other members who does will chime in soon enough. What I would suggest, however, is that you take Maui in to see a certified avian vet (CAV) if at all possible. Fact is, you want to be sure about what the issue is before beginning to treat it. And while the research you've done may point to mites, your birds will be better off if you're sure.

The thing about birds is that they're prey animals. As such, they do their best to hide it if anything is wrong with them. Predators, after all, tend to go after the weak ones. So get him checked as soon as possible the instant you see anything concerning.

Hi there, and welcome to the forum!

Is Maui a boy or a girl?

When female budgies are ready to mate, their cere will turn a dark brown/red color and will get kind of crusty.

If Maui isn’t a girl, (or you aren’t sure of the gender), pictures would be very helpful.

Hello! Honestly I’ve been doing a bit more research and I’m starting to think that Maui is a female even though the lady at the Petsmart I got her from said she was a male but I guess I can’t really take everything they said as true because I’ve read about other owners who were also told the same false information, I know for a fact that Lazuli is a male because his cere is a very very beautiful sky blue color so I’ve most likely been mistaken about Maui’s gender, I did go out and purchase some mite and lice spray to spray around the cage for when I do their daily cage cleanings to ensure any mites that may be in the cage are eliminated. I’m very very thankful for your response and I’m glad you’ve taken the time to write back to me! I really appreciate your kindness )

Welcomed.
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