Parrot Beak looks gouged

Hi All,

I'm brand new to the site and a fairly new first time Parrot owner.

My concern is that Zuko my African Grey who is 5 months old seems to have a gouge on his beak which I have never noticed before. So I don't know if he was born like this or if it is recent however I've never seen bleeding. He seems to be eating comfortably so it doesn't seem to bother him.

I will figure out how to add pictures to my posts from my iPhone shortly to show you

Many thanks for any commentary

Hello, and welcome to the Parrot Forums family!

To post pics, the easiest way is to just upload the images to Photobucket, copy the url under IMG, and then paste it in your reply window.

Zuko said:

Hi All,

I'm brand new to the site and a fairly new first time Parrot owner.

My concern is that Zuko my African Grey who is 5 months old seems to have a gouge on his beak which I have never noticed before. So I don't know if he was born like this or if it is recent however I've never seen bleeding. He seems to be eating comfortably so it doesn't seem to bother him.

I will figure out how to add pictures to my posts from my iPhone shortly to show you

Many thanks for any commentary

Click to expand...

Welcome to Parrot Forums!

As you know, your location in South Africa will have a major difference in the level of Vet care to no Vet care at all. With that in mind, lets try a couple of quick checks prior to you posting a photo (please do).

Draw your fingers along the section of the Beak that looks gouged. Now do the same on the other side. You're looking for the differences between both sides. You should also be able to determine whether the area is sharp (freshly damaged) of smooth from age. Also, whether the area is collapsed or in fact gouged.

The material the Beak is made of is much like a finger nail and like a finger nail, it continues to grow. If you in fact have a gouge, it can be filled with material much like temporary tooth repair. The determination of filling or not is dependent on the thinness of the damaged area. The material is only used to support the area until new growth fills the area.

Since you have a young Parrot, I would recommend that you begin a search for Vet care for your Parrot. Depending on your location, you may find a Certified Avian Vet (CAV), An Avian Qualified Vet (AQV) or a Vet that works with Farm Birds (Chickens) and also Parrots. Some Small Animal Vets do work with Parrots, also. It is much better to be looking in advance of an emergency!

Again welcome to Parrot Forums!

Welcome, and thanks for joining! Hard to know if the gouge was a birth defect or something that developed from an injury or repetitive beak motion against an object.

A picture would be nice to see, but most important is an evaluation by an avian vet if able. The good news is it seems benign and does not interfere with eating or grooming.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s346.photobucket.com/user/Zukotheparrot/embed/slideshow/"></iframe>

Yup, looks like a recent gouge. The general area is one of the stronger areas of the Beak and should grow out with more time.

It appears to be a gouge that a cage bar may have caused, likely near the primary cage door. Watch your Parrot when playing near that area - watching for rubbing on any of the end pieces of the bars in that area.

If additional rubbing occurs it may require the attention an Avian Vet to fill in the gauged area.

Note, there are a number of nerve endings along the edge of the Beak at the skull in that area. It is possible that this area could be sensitive!