Beak is turning green?

[tunarr]

Hi, i got a lovebird recently, 2 months ago, and he seemed fine for a while. All of a sudden today i noticed his edges of his beak are turning green. His beak is also slightly chipping. Hes a peach face, not sure if that kind does this, and hes only 5 months old i believe. Its starting to scare me though, and im not sure if i should take him to the vet, which is outrageously priced in my area, or not. Any help on this would be much appreciated.

 

[roxynoodle]

And you're sure it isn't stained with a food? My conure will pick up spaghetti or berries and get stains on her feet.

What is the bird's diet?

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

All I can say is if I was beginning to get scared then I would make a vet appointment!

 

[tunarr]

All my birds are on pellet diets. Roudybush i believe. I give them fruits and millet, along with cuttlebone, but nothing that is really green. And the reason i am really against going to our local avian vet is that the closest one is 40 minutes away and last time i took my older lovebird there about 2 years ago it cost $700. I love my birds, and if it was 100-200 that would be fine, but im not in a position to spend almost 1k for a vet visit unless it is actually something serious.

 

[roxynoodle]

Ok, with the Roudybush it shouldn't be a vitamin A deficiency. I would try adding some orange veggies though just for some extra vit A.

Are you using full spectrum lighting or able to take the bird outside for some sun daily? Sun coming in through the window isn't good enough as most of the UV rays are blocked. If not, get a full spectrum bulb like the ones FeatherBrite make, and you can even put it in a Walmart clip light attached to the cage. Otherwise, no natural light means little to no calcium production. We all need vitamin D to process calcium.

I would try that first as this might be a bit of a calcium deficiency or it might just be some scaling of the top layer of beak. However, a calcium deficiency can lead to worse problems like seizures so you don't want to ignore it.

However if feathers also don't look good, or droppings aren't normal or the bird is lethargic or not eating much, a vet visit should be scheduled.

 

[roxynoodle]

Can you post a photo of it? It's quite possible when someone here sees the picture they will know what it is and what you need to do.

 

[sssaucey]

I would also like to see a picture if you are able to, because my lovebird also has some darker colouring on her beak. The darker colour is on the hook of her upper mandible and on the edges of the lower.

If it is what I'm describing than I believe it's natural, it seems to be on every lovie I have seen in pictures and in person

 

[tunarr]

Alright, i have some, how do i post them on here? Sorry, never done it.

 

[Lukask]

Get a photobucket account. Just upload photos on that site. There will be a IMG link for your specific pic. Copy and paste the link on here and a pic will show up.

 

[MikeyTN]

Yes please do show a picture, from what your describing I would say it's just stained. I had Lovebirds like that before. Did you provide him mineral block, cuttle bone, chew toys, etc? He'll rub them off if it's just the stain.

 

[roxynoodle]

Oh, you know, it could even be a stain from a toy! The water based dyes can get all over if they get wet, like the bird just took a bath. Yes, Pete had turquoise on one of his feet after playing right after a shower.

Try to post the pic for us though as it's always easier to give someone the right advice after seeing it, or to let you know you really should go to a vet.

 

[tunarr]

Hope this one works.

And yes, i give him cuttlebone, im not too sure what the other ones are.

 

[roxynoodle]

I think it is normal. Look at some of the pictures in this link and you will see some of the birds look exactly the same:

photo peach faced lovebird - Google Search

 

[MikeyTN]

There's nothing to worry about. He's fine!

 

[tunarr]

Oh i see, from the pictures, yes he has them looking similarly. Well thank you everyone, i guess i was worried for nothing then. I just got anxious i guess. Sorry, but thank you!

 

[roxynoodle]

I'm glad nothing is wrong and it's always better to ask if you aren't sure.

 

[lene1949]

I'm glad nothing is wrong and it's always better to ask if you aren't sure.

Yep, and that's what these forums are for...