Beak Colour Changing

[Banshee]

What would be making my Little Sexy's beak change colour? He's always had a very goldy/orangy beak but just the last week its started going a much darker red at the top blending down to the orange at the tip. It was such a sudden change, he hasn't changed his diet at all, is it ok?

[Lisa B]

Its time to consult a vet. could be a deficiency problem. I am not overly familiar with Lories, but I know the one we did have, the beak did not change colors.

[Banshee]

I'm hoping its a deficiency that he had that is getting better. I've only had him 5 months, he was a lost bird that turned up at a house and we couldn't find his owners. We're not sure of his age or where he'd been prior to living with me. I read after i posted in another thread that older or sick birds have gold or orange beaks so maybe hes still recovering from when he was lost. His feathers are in beautiful condition and he eats heaps and plays. In the town where I live we don't have a good avian vet so was hoping for some advice off here first.

[Monica]

Heather would be able to help you best here, so I hope she sees this thread shortly! I am curious though... the lorikeet food you have, does it contain sugar?

[Banshee]

I don't know, it's from a breeder that sells it in his bird shop. Its dry lorikeet mix. Its just a little odd how its colour changed so quickly, I'm sure I would have noticed it before last week because I was looking at him trying to decide how to describe the colour for another post I did not long ago. He seems even happier than normal lately, more cuddly, so I hope its a good thing. Actually I just remembered the only thing different he's eaten is sunflower seeds a few times lately. Are they ok? He loves them but I don't give him much.

[swanwillow]

I read somewhere that lorikeets, when they mature, their beak color changes.. don't know how drastic the changes ARE..

[sassie]

seeds are not good for lorikeets. I'm not sure that would make his color change. With him being 5 month's I'd call the vet that has seen him for his well check already - he could note the difference & offer diet advice.

[Heather_Bird]

I don't think you need to be calling the vet just yet Banshee. It does sound like the new regime you are giving him is starting to take effect. As I said before, I suspect your little fid has had a tough life up to now and all of a sudden life is normal and bountiful for him. His beak should be deep orangey red in colour. Keep going with what you are doing but also add a good nectar mix to his diet. There are several good ones in NZ or I am happy to share my home-made nectar mix with you if you want to PM me. In addition to this he needs fresh fruit and veg as often as possible. Even one thing per day (a chunk of apple, half a silverbeet leaf, a chunk of corn on the cob) is a huge plus to a lory diet.

I doubt that this is a young bird maturing as they tend to have dark brown beaks that gradually change to the deep red colour. It does sound like the good food and environment you are providing is helping the little guy to reach his full potential. Good on ya! Let me know if you notice any change in those blue eyes.

All the best,

Heather

[Heather_Bird]

By the way, I forgot! A lot of lory owners do give their birds a few seeds. For larger lories sunflower seeds can be a treat as long as they are supplied in moderation. It is recommended by lory experts that the smaller varieties do get a portion of seeds each day. Millet spray or a small pot of canary seed can add extras that they wouldn't otherwise get and these type of foods are readily consumed in the wild. They could not exist on an all-seed diet but they do appreciate some seeds in addition to their nectar/dry mix/fruit diets. They also appreciate a portion of well-cooked chicken from time to time. Lories are true omnivours.

All the best,

Heather

[Banshee]

Thanks heaps Heather, I was hoping you would say that It sounds like I've been doing everything right then. When I first got him he was really picky, he'd only eat his lorikeet mix, not any fruits, veges or flowers. I have a tree out the front that lorikeets apparently live on in the wild but he wouldn't even look at it. A couple of months ago I got a baby sun conure and she's been a good influence on his diet., that might be why its only changing now. She eats fruit and veges and he'll eat them now with her so he's getting pretty much the diet you described he should be getting, Dry mix, wet mix, fruit, veges and a few seeds. He also loves hot chips, pizza crust and cheese scones but we try to keep that to a minimum I wish I could get a picture of his eyes so you could see them, my camera won't take a photo that close up. i don't think its a health thing because his long distance vision is so good. He was found on a rail at a house next to a cemetary so maybe he's got special blue eyes coz he's my guardian angel. He goes beserk whenever my ex-husband walks in the room so I know he senses evil