Beak Misaligned

Hi,

I have an African Grey parrot and his upper and lower beak are significantly misaligned (lower does not sit inside upper), He is able to eat & climb around on his cage without issue or any apparent pain. I have seen him align his beak correctly while grinding the 2 halves together in the evenings but +95% of the day he sits with the beak very very crooked like in the picture.

He has been to the vet about this issue. The vet seemed unconcerned and shaved his beak so it would fit together better. It has been over a week and that didn't help.

Is this something to worry about?
Should I go back to the vet?
What can I do to make his beak align properly?

Thank you!

Greetings, and welcome!!

How old is your Grey, and is the vet an avian specialist? Was a Dremel motorized type tool used to grind the beak? Has this been an issue since birth?

Sorry to start off with a bunch of questions, but the reasons for beak misalignment are varied. Some parrots are born with alignment issues, others are the result of injury. There is the possibility of some sort of underlying illness to cause this for no other reason.

Its considered a scissor beak and often happens when the bird is young and being hand fed improperly.

Its actually not a real severe scissor beak, so that's the good news... but more concern that your vet did not explain this to you and that its not so much beak as the jaw / mandible that is misaligned. And regular beak trims / maintenance for a scissor beak is imperative to keep the alignment as 'good' as feasible. Is the vet you went to a certified avian vet? If not, I would look in the area for a new vet, because you will need to see your vet on a regular basis to keep the beak in good shape because the one thing they usually can't do well is the grinding, wear and tear of the beak.

One of the only things you might find he will have trouble with will be nuts in the shell, but you can help with cracking them half way for him or giving him shelled nuts. We have quite a few bids at the shelter with scissor beaks, smallest is a brown throated conure to large macaws. We also have birds that are missing part or all of the upper beak from previous injuries before coming to AHW and all of them eat quite well. And even without having a full beak can give you a good pinch!

But, my biggest advice to you, find a great avian vet that is confident and knowledgeable with scissor beak trims. With very slight modified diet and giving him easy shred toys, he will live a long happy life

Thank you both for the fast responses.

He (Buddy) is 15 years old, The issue has only shown up in the last 6 weeks or so. He is just learning to fly and has had several bad landings. Could this be from flying into something? Yes, the vet used a motorized dremel to shave his beak.

I went to the Renfroe Animal Hospital & Bird Clinic in Huntsville, AL (few options near me). Sounds like its time for a new one.

Sorry for bombarding you with questions but:
Does scissor beak cause him any pain?
Is scissor beak something can be corrected?
Is this likely to go away on its own with proper maintenance from a good vet?
Is there some procedure that can correct it?

Thank you

orice said:

Thank you both for the fast responses.

He (Buddy) is 15 years old, The issue has only shown up in the last 6 weeks or so. He is just learning to fly and has had several bad landings. Could this be from flying into something? Yes, the vet used a motorized dremel to shave his beak.

I went to the Renfroe Animal Hospital & Bird Clinic in Huntsville, AL (few options near me). Sounds like its time for a new one.

Sorry for bombarding you with questions but:
Does scissor beak cause him any pain?
Is scissor beak something can be corrected?
Is this likely to go away on its own with proper maintenance from a good vet?
Is there some procedure that can correct it?

Thank you

Click to expand...

That additional info puts a whole new spin on things... how long has this bird been with you? Do you have photos of him from a few weeks ago? Of if you recently found him online, do you still have the pics from whatever posting there was on him?

Did this show up overnight? If it showed up overnight and you told the vet that, there should have been xrays taken, cause that's an injury induced scissor beak, which if recent may very well be able to be fixed. You have no other birds? No bird larger then him?

If this is injury related, then he may be in pain, much like if you broke your jaw... Is he eating well overall or have you seen any changes?

Hi orace,
Apparently I live very close to you. We use Cat and Bird Clinic in Hartselle Al. Almost everyone I know in this area that has birds use this clinic. There are two avian vets there. Dr. Strothers and Dr. Moore. They are pretty quick to get you in for an appointment. They take time with you for any questions you have or if they have any concerns. Please call them for an appointment. 256-773-0844.

He's been in my family for 10+ years but I've only been caring for him in the last 3.

I went back through my photo reel and its actually been more like 10-12 weeks that he's had this problem. Prior to that his beak was perfectly aligned. I don't recall a sudden onset but I could be wrong.

Jennifer: He's the only bird we have. He doesn't appear distressed & is happy as ever. No trouble eating (he eats a primarily hard pellet diet), no change in behavior.

Pulling from everyone's advice I'm going to take him to the vet suggested by happy410 and insist on x-rays to check for injury. Assuming that isn't the problem I'll have them (re-trim) his beak and get some information on how frequently I should go back for further trimmings to improve his condition.

This has been an awesome first experience posting on the forum. Thank you all again!

I think you'll be very happy with the clinic. Keep us posted please. Just wondering if you live in Huntsville? I live in Laceys Spring.

orice said:

He's been in my family for 10+ years but I've only been caring for him in the last 3.

I went back through my photo reel and its actually been more like 10-12 weeks that he's had this problem. Prior to that his beak was perfectly aligned. I don't recall a sudden onset but I could be wrong.

Jennifer: He's the only bird we have. He doesn't appear distressed & is happy as ever. No trouble eating (he eats a primarily hard pellet diet), no change in behavior.

Pulling from everyone's advice I'm going to take him to the vet suggested by happy410 and insist on x-rays to check for injury. Assuming that isn't the problem I'll have them (re-trim) his beak and get some information on how frequently I should go back for further trimmings to improve his condition.

This has been an awesome first experience posting on the forum. Thank you all again!

Click to expand...

Awesome to have someone local that can give you an excellent avian vet reference So happy to see that!!

Definitely ask for X-rays. I am reading thru Dr. Ritchie's info online (he is the God of Avian Vets), would suggest talking to the vet about full bloodwork and doing disease testing too. Tho he looks so happy and healthy otherwise, its hard to imagine ONLY scissor beak would develop in any disease that has abnormal beak growth as a symptom. If I was betting, I would put money on him injuring himself with learning to fly, either flying into something of doing a faceplant on something hard.

And thank you so much for seeking out help and being open to going to another vet and investing in his health and welfare to get to the bottom of things!!! We see some horror stories, so a hug to you for making sure your beautiful baby is taken care of and gets the medical attention he needs!

Thanks happy410 for the referral!! As Jen suggested, the likelihood of mechanical injury is high, and a comprehensive screening should be helpful!

Scott said:

Thanks happy410 for the referral!! As Jen suggested, the likelihood of mechanical injury is high, and a comprehensive screening should be helpful!

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Fully agree with the mechanical (physical) injury being very likely based on time lines. This type of medical issues are far easier to deal with if seen by an Avian Vet quickly after the onset. Please make every effort in getting your Parrot to a Avian Vet ASAP!