Minor beak chip

[chimaysmommy]

I noticed this morning that Chimay has a little chip in his beak on the lower mandible, just a little to the left of where he would normally bite down to eat or climb. It's pretty small, I almost didn't notice it. Is this of any concern? He is still eating well, but it raised my eyebrow and I wanted to double check the opinions here. The chip is right along the edge, not on the smooth part.<br><br>Post edited by: chimaysmommy, at: 2009/04/22 22:05

[judygram]

Their beaks do flake off and it kind of looks like a chip missing but I am guessing that Chimay's beak is just fine, especially if he is eating and acting normal. Their beaks are growing all the time and if it did chip off a little piece it will grow back.

[Luvparrots]

Could you provide a picture of chimay's beak? That would really help so we could give a more accurate opinion.

[chimaysmommy]

I really wish I could but the little booger won't stay still long enough to get a picture. Ha ha!! After I saw the request for a pic, I made about a dozen attempts...either he was blurry from moving around or he turned his head so the wrong side was showing. The best thing I can compare it to is if you were to nick the rim of a coffee cup. Very slight but noticable.

[Dave007]

That periodically happens when a bird is biting something that's supposed to have even breaking power such as a shell of a nut or something similar. Use a nut as an example--part of the nut is harder to crack even though it's not supposed to be harder. The bird bites harder and sometimes a little chip appears. Lower mandibles are constantly being shed even though it can't be seen. It's more noticeable on the upper mandible because that area can be seen much more easily. I doubt you have any problem. Another thing--you have a very young bird who's upper and lower mandibles haven't yet reached the normal hardness that adult birds have. The older the bird, the easier it is to break through things. My birds, even though they're all adults always chip off little pieces of their beaks and they've been doing it for years.<br><br>Post edited by: Dave007, at: 2009/04/23 19:56

[chimaysmommy]

Thank you! I wasn't all too worried considering the tiny-ness of the chip, but wanted to bring it up anyway....better safe than sorry. Thanks Dave!