Will it's beak grow back?

[howie]

A pet shop close to me had a parrot in small cage for around six months. In all that time i never heard it make a single sound and the only movement i ever saw it make was to move away when i got too close to the cage. No toys, one perch. Bitchin to the owner got nowhere. I have a mixed aviary, full of strays and rescueds, in dire need of being extended and therefore i did not have the funds or space for another bird. Every time i walked in there i prayed it had found a home. I always left feeling guilty, swearing i'd never go back. "Ostrich syndrome" (head in the ground). Today, after a month break, i walked in to find the parrot totally unresponsive. No movement, no reaction when i touched the cage. So i pulled my head out of my arse and after colourful words with the owner, i bought the parrot.

He could not tell me what it was (but he did say he 'thinks it might maybe be a female'), and he couldn't remember where he got it from and as i know almost squat about parrots, i came home with a smallish, greenish and brownish parrot. Internet search has since identified it as a Brown-headed Parrot. Sex still unknown. Sat like a stiff in a cage in my room for about an hour while i whispered sweet (and sometimes not so sweet) nothings to it, thinking i'd keep an eye on it for a couple of days then put it in the aviary. I (only then) noticed it has a broken lower beak and that it's missing most of it's toes. After about an hour i saw it turning it's head towards the window and realized it was listening to the lovebirds and ringnecks in the aviary. Not long after that it started making sounds and soon it was climbing (with difficulty but determination) all over it's cage.

I also think i have found the reason for the broken beak. It bites onto the bars of the cage, lets go with it's feet, interlinks it's feet, stretched it's legs out and hangs by the beak. I laughed and made a fuss the first time and now it seems to be doing it for attention. Or maybe they just do that.

I worried about it eating with the broken beak but after the performance it dug into it's food and seems to eat without a problem.

Now i'm wondering if i overreact in the pet shop. Can a bird go from catatonic to yoga in a few hours? And will it's beak grow back? Will it eventually cope in the aviary or does it sound like a 'house' bird?

Long story... apologies.

[Monica]

It depends on the damage done to the beak. If it's minor the beak can grow out fine. If it's major, the beak will not grow out fine. Do you have pictures? Have you considered taking this bird to an avian vet to ensure it's healthy before introducing it to your flock? Just keep in mind that this bird may also not get along well with others.

[Barb E]

Hi Howie,
If this is a brown headed parrot then you should be reading on the poicephalus area of birdboard.
I have a Meyers which is also a member of the Poicephalus family of birds and he does NOT get along well with other birds. They can be quite aggressive and territorial so keep a close watch when he's near your other birds.
I see you live in Africa.... well, that's where the Poi's come from :)

I hope your new addition is healthy and you have many years of happiness together. Well done, rescuing him/her!!!

Barb

PS: It could be that the beak is not broken - parrots shed their beaks as they grow. People often ask me if my birds beak is cracked but it's just peeling - it's a normal part of a growing beak. The bird needs a rough perch or toy to scrape his beak on to help remove the excess beak.
If your not sure it's best to pay a visit to your vet and find out.

[kellywess]

howie-

First of all, thanks for bringing the little fella home, sounds like its already done him some good. If it makes you feel better my Hahns Macaw "Dewey" holds onto the bars with his beak stretches his body down and flutters his wings for attention as well. Dewey however has not broken his beak while doing this, but I agree that it is certainly for attention. I would have to agree with Monica about taking the little fella into see a avian vet before introducing him to the rest of your flock. If he is eating fine that is good, if his eating slows or if you notice that he picks at his food awkwardly (as if his beak hurts... they can bruise and a broken beak can be quite painful) it would definitely encourage me to make that trip to the vet much faster. I think you may have a soon to be "happy" house bird. Pics would help. Please keep us posted.

[Chico's Mom]

I don't know anything about larger birds, but I am so happy that you have taken this poor guy/gal home, and I just know you will have a wonderful loving companion!

[howie]

I often read on this site, and totally agree with, that if people can't afford to take birds to the vet they shouldn't own them. I'd love to take him but will have to save up a bit before i can, especially after what i paid to bring him home. Am working on that though! Also, as all my birds were dropped off by 'well meaning' friends, i do not have the right size cage for parrot, something else on 'to save for' list if she's gonna be a house bird.

I have attached some photo's. Not very good as she/he won't sit still. Tried to get beak, feet and yoga move in. Thanks for all the advice so far.

[Flash]

I first want to say good for you for rescuing your new bird. Brown heads are wonderful birds - I used to have a female and she was one of the best birds ever. Brown heads are known to hang from the cage bars, swing, and climb alot - my female did it all the time and never got a broken beak or any damage to her beak from it, so it could be from something else. Another thing - if you do decide to put her in the aviary, please be very careful and watch her in there like a hawk because brown heads usually don't get along with other birds and can be very aggressive towards them. My brown head HATED with a passion all other birds and would never let any bird close to her - she would lunge at them if they got to close and she would mean it, other then that she was the sweetest bird around - she hated other birds, but just adored her humans.

[howie]

Thanks Flash... will keep that in mind. Still not sure where to go with her/him. Is there any way to tell what sex it is? I read head size is indication but have no other brown head to compare to.

[red192]

Awww the poor baby! I'm glad you took the baby home. I wish I could have more but my rooming and funds are limited. I have a green cheek conure that has missing toes on one foot and she's a little clown and doesn't know she has a handicap! Keeps us all posted on the baby. Do you have a name yet?

[xafsmom]

From your pictures, it looks like she has scissor beak, but the head on shot doesn't really show that. It might just be growth that's causing her jaw to shift a bit too. Scissor beak is difficult to really fix, because the bone has formed that way, but this looks pretty fixable indeed.

Glad you grabbed her, they're lovely birds!