A bird's beak is a key to knowing if they are in good health. Beak problems are a result of some type of health issue. It’s important to become aware of the condition of your bird's beak will allow you to monitor their health better. There are a few common bird beak problems that can happen to any bird.
Common ProblemsÂ
A bird's beak is susceptible to several common problems but the most common (which is also the least problematic) is a flaky beak. This tends to be more common in conures and cockatoos but can happen to any parrot.
If you notice that your bird has a flaky beak, it is usually because of a vitamin deficiency. You should consult your avian vet for suggestions as they can recommend supplements or dietary changes that will help your bird’s beak get better. Other common beak disorders in pet birds are known as scissors beak and parrot beak, both are growth abnormalities. These abnormalities can only be corrected by an avian vet with prosthetics or surgery.
Tools For a Strong Healthy Beak
One of the best things you can do for your feathered friend is helping them maintain a strong and healthy beak.
Natural Wood Perches - You want to provide your bird with safe natural wood perches that will help encourage them to exercise their beak by chewing them, which is something they would naturally do to tree branches in the wild.
Crunchy Fresh Foods - Offer your bird a variety of fresh whole foods that encourages them to use their beaks like peppers, broccoli, carrots, etc. Offer nuts in moderation as treats like pistachios (in the shell), pecans, walnuts, and almonds. These nuts have tough shells and tasty centres that will encourage birds to use their beaks to break into them - these should be offered as treats!
Natural Toys - Provide your bird with a variety of toys and rotate them so that your bird is encouraged to use their beak to destroy and naturally file it down. You can also try different foraging opportunities or try some DIY foraging opportunities at home. See our YouTube video below for foraging ideas. We love to get our toys from planetpleasures.com and you can get 15% off when you use discount code MANGO15.
Beak Trims with an Avian Vet
Sometimes a bird's beak develops overgrowth since a bird's beak is made of keratin and continues to grow throughout the bird's life. Sometimes they may need a beak trim in cases where the bird fails to properly file its beak on perches or natural toys. If you suspect that your bird might need a beak trim, check in with your avian vet for an evaluation. Abnormally shaped or overgrown beaks can make it difficult for a bird to eat, which can quickly become a severe problem.
