flowerchik Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Zeke is four months old. He has a bare area (between 1/2 to 3/4 inch) in his lower mandible and chin area. It starts right where the mandible meets the skin You can only see it when he lifts his head straight up. Is this normal for young Greys? I have tried to find pics of young greys' chins and necks on the internet, to compare it to, but am not having any luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Flowerchik, how about a picture so we can see what you are talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Zeke is four months old. He has a bare area (between 1/2 to 3/4 inch) in his lower mandible and chin area. It starts right where the mandible meets the skin You can only see it when he lifts his head straight up. Is this normal for young Greys? I have tried to find pics of young greys' chins and necks on the internet, to compare it to, but am not having any luck. Yes, this is perfectly normal bird anatomy. Many first time owners think there's a "hole" there and panic, but it's not a hole, it's closed and it's not much different from what WE have! There's no feathers there. Go ahead and push your finger into the area just beneath your chin. Other than the skin there - you can almost feel directly into your mouth, to under your tongue. Our 'gap' looks different because our "beak" (upper mandible) is shaped differently to allow for these pesky teeth. Birds don't have teeth. BUT - the upper inside of their beak has a graded 'grinding' surface that helps them break things up - very much like what we do with teeth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I have to admit I sort of thought the same thing when I first saw it on my grey but Dave is right it is normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'm always interested to read about things like this, because I didn't know either. The other thing I cannot figure out is... where are their ears?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I'm always interested to read about things like this, because I didn't know either. The other thing I cannot figure out is... where are their ears?? The ears are located at the upper end of the legs near the keel bone behind each wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbsmomto1 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 lol wait til you see the holes he has on each side of his head, those are ears and there is no reason to call the vet in a panic like I did many years ago with my first parrot LOL< pretty sure the vet thought I should be committed ...and yes that bald patch is normal...called the vet about that as well years ago thinking he was pulling out feathers,,,DUH impossible for him to reach that part but i my state of panic I didn't think about that part lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Thanks Dave. Wow, I would have never looked for them there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave007 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Thanks Dave. Wow, I would have never looked for them there! Anything for you. Put the worries aside. You can now get a good night's sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowerchik Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share Posted November 21, 2012 Thanks, I had all kinds of crazy scary reasons going through my head about that little area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Funny, but as newbie mamas and papas we get so wrapped up in feeding, entertaining, toxins, behavior, do's and don'ts that the little things like anatomy slide right by! Ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray P Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Thats why we have this forum to help and answer your concerns. Dave is awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 You are exactly right Ray, and that's why I like the forum so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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