Crack in Ollie's Beak!

[cfulhage]

Ollie's beak has looked like this for several weeks, and I feel like a horrible bird mommy for just now posting about this. I guess I kept putting it off because it doesn't seem to bother her in the least, she is eating and climbing like normal. Is this common, what causes it, and what do I need to do about it, if anything??

[cfulhage]

Its difficult to tell in the photos, but it really is a very pronounced ridge. To me it looks like more than just peeling. But that may be the case, because I can't think of any reason it would look like that. It looks like someday the tip may just fall off- although I'm sure that is unlikely unless she has a hard crash landing (which she rarely does anymore).
Thanks Karen!

[Dani#2]

Jezebel cracked the tip of her beak like that too, only her's was bleeding. I'd say as long as Ollie is eating and climbing around ok, let it fall off on it's own. The vet had to smooth it and cauterize it.....she also took antibiotics for a week....boy that was fun.

Just keep an eye out for any discomfort on Ollie's part.

[CALVINS MOM]

It looks to me like he is rubbing it on something - it's just too perfect, if you know what I mean. Does he take his beak and rub it up and down on the bars of the cage? My Scarlet does that and his beak looks just like Ollie's.

[Lisa B]

Camille, Its shaling. Like a finger nail, but heavier. Its not cracked, and it will flake off...Ollie might need some help if you preen her at night....but not to worry, its not a crack....Sydney's looks EXACTLY like that to a tee...
they are just not using a hard surface to rub thier beaks on.

this is the best picture I have of him on this computer...kinda hard to tell, but if you look close... you will see the "crack"ish looking thing....

now Dani's got a definite crack there...OWWWWWWWW!!!

[The Outlaw]

I agree, just normal new growth. Try to find some more good things for her to groom her beak on. My birds use their sandy perches a lot for that. Baby birds have lovely black shiny beaks and they get rougher looking as they age. Some people take them to their groomer and have them sanded smooth with a sanding stone. However, I think its better to let her alone. Its perfectly normal.

[Lori L]

Camille, I'm sorry I cannot offer any suggestions or advice but I just have to say, Ollie is just beautiful, what a pretty pretty bird

[cfulhage]

Originally Posted by Lori L

Camille, I'm sorry I cannot offer any suggestions or advice but I just have to say, Ollie is just beautiful, what a pretty pretty bird

Awww Thanks Lori! I love her so much, and there is nothing better than hearing stuff like that!

Dani- Poor Jezebel!! That looks so painful! I just hope Ollie's doesn't start bleeding like that- the closest avian vet right now is almost 2 hours away, in the town where I go to school! I always feel such a relief when we head back there for class.

She doesn't run it up the cage bars very often, and she does rub it on her Sandy perch.

Lisa, thanks for posting that picture of Sydney- It makes me feel much better knowing that Ollie isn't the only one!

I will definitely leave it alone as long as its not causing her any problems. Thanks everybody!

[willowbirdy218]

Willow's beak looks very similar to Ollie's. It has been that way for quite a while and I always assumed that it was normal--especially since it never seemed to bother hime either.

[Lisa B]

wow...Willow looks like the picture of health there!!! very nice picture and your doing a great job for he looks great!!!!!