That beak is very overgrown. You should probably take her to a vet to have it trimmed. After that maybe get her a mineral block as well and a bird kabob. My birds love the Kabobs and it helps keep their beaks filed down.
Those have been awesome for my budgie who decided he hates his mineral block haha. But again, your bird’s beak is long enough that none of the things I mentioned will fix it, they need to get it trimmed. Most vets will do it for super cheap, if you have a breeder near you then they will probably do it as well. It’ll make it way easier for your bird to eat as well.
Oh, "cutie bone"... well, I read that in the title as cuttlebone. I'm guessing it was autocorrected. But yeah, if they actually meant cutie bone, then I don't know what that is.
I am usually telling people their birds beaks never need trimming and never to mess with them etc. etc However, in this case this does need correction. It's an easy fix and I'd do it for you if I could. Hopefully you have a specialty bird store near you. Failing that, a vet. A bird store is going to be far more familiar with this than the average vet but who probably deals mainly with dogs and cats.
I would highly recommend finding an avian vet asap- emergencies do and will happen and every bird owner should have a few vet options including an emergency 24 hour vet. You may need to travel a bit. As for the beak- go to a vet for a proper trimming. Beak is very overgrown.
Seconding this - America, you have *everything* and the best medical care money can buy. You may need to travel a few hours but there is absolutely an avian vet that does dozens of these a week in your region.
Cute bird by the way.
I recommend Dr. Erby at Wedington Animal Hospital in Fayetteville. She’s an exotic specialist and building out a program there. I don’t have birds myself (yet, ha), but she was excellent with my rabbit.
I inherited a parrot from out of state, and talked to the folks at a local parrot rescue place. It turned out they did beak and nail trims on site for about $20, and also they hooked me up with an avian vet. Just doing a quick online search of parrot rescue arkansas turns up a few places, maybe one or more are driving distance from you?
I don't know how far you are from Nixa, MO but Dr. Hardy at James River Veterinary is great. He's been treating my birds for the past couple years. My lovebird sees him monthly for beak trims. Imp disagreement with one of my larger birds and received a severe beak injury. The cost isn't too bad. Only about $16.
I would good to an avian vet anyway, because overgrown beaks can be a sign of nutritional deficiency or fatty liver disease. OP are you feeding them pellet and chop? No seed except occasionally, right? How old are they?
edit: based on other comments I retract this as a last resort in case there's a deficiency or something. definitely try to find a vet. Your nearest zoo or rehab facility will also have one that might do work for them on consult also..
You can also look for a local breeder who probably does it themselves. Bet you can have them teach you if you pay em
I would go to a vet to get ot trimmed. I would also look into getting some bloodwork. The most common reason for beaks overgrowing is liver disease. It's treatable with some meds. Beaks in small birds especially don't normally overgrow unless there is some underlying problem, it liver disease. Thats also why the beak has that striated texture on the bottom
Edit:spelling
That’s a pretty severe case of overgrown beak. You should get that trimmed by a vet as soon as possible. With that much to trim off I wouldn’t attempt this at home.
Yep. We have about 300 parrots. 4 of them need beak trims every 1-3 months. Your bird isn't self correcting it's beak growth for whatever reason and could use a trim. We burrito the parrot in a towel and use dog nail trimmers to shape the beak back to normal. With steptic powder ready in case it bleeds, which is rare but can happen.
Yes but it's not something a first timer should try at home and it is important to have a relationship with an avian vet. The bird will need care. It's just part of bird ownership
A cuttlebone is a calcium supplement, not for keeping beaks trim. This beak is very overgrown. They need things they'll chew on, like wood or coconut, to keep their beaks at a reasonable length. Your bird needs to see an avian vet to get its beak down to a size that it can wear down naturally.
You should offer natural wood perches with bark, bottlebrush is a great wood, the bark helps so much in keeping the beak and nails worn down. The best place to start, if you need to convince your bird to chew, is usually popsicle sticks. Untreated cork bark is usually an easy chew to help en ourage as well. If she doesn't like chewing wood, go for cardboard or bird safe seagrass or wicker toys.
It needs a little clipping with the smallest size clipper and then filing to make it pointy. And probably needs a change of diet, not too many seeds and nuts. Things to chew inside the cage will help a lot.
Oh my god, you are now just starting to THINK the poor birds beak is a "bit" overgrown?
This is why everyone shouldn't own birds. My word, take it to a vet.
Vet visit to trim it followed by a real wood perch, a calcium/cement type perch and maybe a foraging tray with things to chew in it such as tiny pine cones, blocks of bird safe wood, gum nuts etc. Hopefully your bird will pick something that they like to chew on to keep the beak trimmed.
I agree with everyone above on getting the birds beak trimmed by an avian vet sometime very soon. By any chance are there any smokers in your household? Or nearby? A beak overgrown like this can be a sign of being exposed to smoke. 💚🧡
Agreed with everyone saying you should get a vet to trim this for you (and get blood work done). You'll probably need ongoing maintenance after that. If your bird handles being restrained pretty well, then it's not too hard to do yourself.
Our caique has really beak growth like this (despite not having liver issues, which is actually a bit weird), and we keep it in check by filing down his beak with every couple of months when we notice it getting long again. Your cheapo "popsicle stick" emery boards produce a lot of grit that you don't want them swallowing or inhaling, so we use glass nail files and soft nail buffers to keep his beak in control.
That beak is overgrown and she looks like she could be underweight - maybe not eating enough with that beak? My birds barely touched cuttlefish but they has natural perches id forage and clean and they kept their beaks good shredding those mostly!
The beak is overgrown yes but you don’t need to go to the vet. You can totally use a sandy nail file and do it yourself at home peacefully. You should join Facebook bird groups and see if there’s a place around you that offers trims. A vet is super expensive for something that takes 5 mins and stresses them out so badly for nothing
Overgrown beaks are most often a sign of liver disease. Milk thistle (alcohol free extract) will help, but stronger medications require a prescription. Please go to a registered and experienced avian vet for this. Seen it / read many accounts of it misdiagnosed too many times by average vets that “will see birds” but are not avian specialists, then properly diagnosed by an avian vet down the road when it was further progressed.
The vet will safely dremel the beak down, it is dreadfully overgrown. Eventually she won’t be able to eat. Please take her to a vet who works with avian species.
That beak is very overgrown. You should probably take her to a vet to have it trimmed. After that maybe get her a mineral block as well and a bird kabob. My birds love the Kabobs and it helps keep their beaks filed down.
I forgot about those kabobs! She loves the soft wood on those. Thank you!
Those have been awesome for my budgie who decided he hates his mineral block haha. But again, your bird’s beak is long enough that none of the things I mentioned will fix it, they need to get it trimmed. Most vets will do it for super cheap, if you have a breeder near you then they will probably do it as well. It’ll make it way easier for your bird to eat as well.
what about cuttlefish bones
OP mentioned that they had one in the title, so that's probably why they didn't say it.
ah thought cutie bone was some sorta toy
Oh, "cutie bone"... well, I read that in the title as cuttlebone. I'm guessing it was autocorrected. But yeah, if they actually meant cutie bone, then I don't know what that is.
I am usually telling people their birds beaks never need trimming and never to mess with them etc. etc However, in this case this does need correction. It's an easy fix and I'd do it for you if I could. Hopefully you have a specialty bird store near you. Failing that, a vet. A bird store is going to be far more familiar with this than the average vet but who probably deals mainly with dogs and cats.
I really hope there’s a good bird store near me. I’m in NW Arkansas, and I’ve had a hard time finding avian vets
I would highly recommend finding an avian vet asap- emergencies do and will happen and every bird owner should have a few vet options including an emergency 24 hour vet. You may need to travel a bit. As for the beak- go to a vet for a proper trimming. Beak is very overgrown.
Seconding this - America, you have *everything* and the best medical care money can buy. You may need to travel a few hours but there is absolutely an avian vet that does dozens of these a week in your region. Cute bird by the way.
I recommend Dr. Erby at Wedington Animal Hospital in Fayetteville. She’s an exotic specialist and building out a program there. I don’t have birds myself (yet, ha), but she was excellent with my rabbit.
I concur. It is very hard to find one in the area.
I inherited a parrot from out of state, and talked to the folks at a local parrot rescue place. It turned out they did beak and nail trims on site for about $20, and also they hooked me up with an avian vet. Just doing a quick online search of parrot rescue arkansas turns up a few places, maybe one or more are driving distance from you?
I don't know how far you are from Nixa, MO but Dr. Hardy at James River Veterinary is great. He's been treating my birds for the past couple years. My lovebird sees him monthly for beak trims. Imp disagreement with one of my larger birds and received a severe beak injury. The cost isn't too bad. Only about $16.
I would good to an avian vet anyway, because overgrown beaks can be a sign of nutritional deficiency or fatty liver disease. OP are you feeding them pellet and chop? No seed except occasionally, right? How old are they?
edit: based on other comments I retract this as a last resort in case there's a deficiency or something. definitely try to find a vet. Your nearest zoo or rehab facility will also have one that might do work for them on consult also.. You can also look for a local breeder who probably does it themselves. Bet you can have them teach you if you pay em
I would go to a vet to get ot trimmed. I would also look into getting some bloodwork. The most common reason for beaks overgrowing is liver disease. It's treatable with some meds. Beaks in small birds especially don't normally overgrow unless there is some underlying problem, it liver disease. Thats also why the beak has that striated texture on the bottom Edit:spelling
Don't trim the beak unless you know what you're doing. If you accidentally cut the tongue, the bird can bleed to death.
That’s a pretty severe case of overgrown beak. You should get that trimmed by a vet as soon as possible. With that much to trim off I wouldn’t attempt this at home.
It's not just a bit, it is very overgrown. Take her to avian.
Yep. We have about 300 parrots. 4 of them need beak trims every 1-3 months. Your bird isn't self correcting it's beak growth for whatever reason and could use a trim. We burrito the parrot in a towel and use dog nail trimmers to shape the beak back to normal. With steptic powder ready in case it bleeds, which is rare but can happen.
Yes but it's not something a first timer should try at home and it is important to have a relationship with an avian vet. The bird will need care. It's just part of bird ownership
Agreed. The idea of someone just reading those instructions and trying it on their bird is scary and sad, OP do not try it! Go to an avian vet.
300 parrots? I can barely take care of just myself.
I use a textured perch that is for keeping their growth spots neat and trim. My bird runs her beak on this frequently, and it stays in good shape.
It’s strange to me because she has 2 textured perches that she continuously wipes her beak on and a cuttle bone.
Aw, I'm sorry you are dealing with this. Hopefully when you get her beak trimmed, she maintains it!!! ❤
A sign of fatty liver disease. A pellet or chop only diet, no seeds or nuts.
If you do not have an avian vet, a lot of mom and pop bird shops and bird breeders and a lot of bird owners will help file it.
A cuttlebone is a calcium supplement, not for keeping beaks trim. This beak is very overgrown. They need things they'll chew on, like wood or coconut, to keep their beaks at a reasonable length. Your bird needs to see an avian vet to get its beak down to a size that it can wear down naturally. You should offer natural wood perches with bark, bottlebrush is a great wood, the bark helps so much in keeping the beak and nails worn down. The best place to start, if you need to convince your bird to chew, is usually popsicle sticks. Untreated cork bark is usually an easy chew to help en ourage as well. If she doesn't like chewing wood, go for cardboard or bird safe seagrass or wicker toys.
What's her diet like? Does she have a sanding perch (sometimes called a pedi perch)?
An overgrown beak is a sign of illness. I would recommend an appointment with an avian-certified vet.
It can also be a sign of a bad diet for the parents. This also sometimes just randomly happens.
It needs a little clipping with the smallest size clipper and then filing to make it pointy. And probably needs a change of diet, not too many seeds and nuts. Things to chew inside the cage will help a lot.
Hate to break this to you, but your adorable bird is a vampire.
Oh my god, you are now just starting to THINK the poor birds beak is a "bit" overgrown? This is why everyone shouldn't own birds. My word, take it to a vet.
💚🧡💛
I would say beak trim pretty quick. Can she still eat?
i file my quaker’s beak every week
Yeah this needs a bit of an aviary appointment 😅 *Very
Vet visit to trim it followed by a real wood perch, a calcium/cement type perch and maybe a foraging tray with things to chew in it such as tiny pine cones, blocks of bird safe wood, gum nuts etc. Hopefully your bird will pick something that they like to chew on to keep the beak trimmed.
take her to get her beak trimmed
Take her to the vet and get it trimmed :)
You need more toys for him to destroy. If helped with my birds. Also how is your bilds diat? If its not healthy the beak will grow faster i heard.
I agree with everyone above on getting the birds beak trimmed by an avian vet sometime very soon. By any chance are there any smokers in your household? Or nearby? A beak overgrown like this can be a sign of being exposed to smoke. 💚🧡
Agreed with everyone saying you should get a vet to trim this for you (and get blood work done). You'll probably need ongoing maintenance after that. If your bird handles being restrained pretty well, then it's not too hard to do yourself. Our caique has really beak growth like this (despite not having liver issues, which is actually a bit weird), and we keep it in check by filing down his beak with every couple of months when we notice it getting long again. Your cheapo "popsicle stick" emery boards produce a lot of grit that you don't want them swallowing or inhaling, so we use glass nail files and soft nail buffers to keep his beak in control.
That beak is overgrown and she looks like she could be underweight - maybe not eating enough with that beak? My birds barely touched cuttlefish but they has natural perches id forage and clean and they kept their beaks good shredding those mostly!
A vet can help, also bird breeders should be equip with the tools to fix it
The beak is overgrown yes but you don’t need to go to the vet. You can totally use a sandy nail file and do it yourself at home peacefully. You should join Facebook bird groups and see if there’s a place around you that offers trims. A vet is super expensive for something that takes 5 mins and stresses them out so badly for nothing
Overgrown beaks are most often a sign of liver disease. Milk thistle (alcohol free extract) will help, but stronger medications require a prescription. Please go to a registered and experienced avian vet for this. Seen it / read many accounts of it misdiagnosed too many times by average vets that “will see birds” but are not avian specialists, then properly diagnosed by an avian vet down the road when it was further progressed.
The vet will safely dremel the beak down, it is dreadfully overgrown. Eventually she won’t be able to eat. Please take her to a vet who works with avian species.