June 22, 2021 3 Comments
This is Kiwi, and she has something very unique and special about her. Many of my Instagram followers really enjoy point out her abnormal growth on her cere. I've had many different opinions on this, but people who aren't aware of her condition can sometimes be rude about it. I've had people who assumed she has scaly mites, which is not the case.
Hyperkeratosis is an abnormal thickening of the outer layer of the skin. Female budgies tend to be more prone to it than males. I've also noticed that budgies with recessive genes also tend to be less likely to get it. It seems like a female who has crustier ceres is more likely to get it from my research. That being said, hyperkeratosis does not affect a bird's lifespan. Kiwi will have to see a vet for the remainder of her life, but her condition does not affect her negatively. The only concern with hyperkeratosis, mainly for birds affected by the cere, is not to leave it alone for too long as there can be potential for blockage of the nares.
May 26, 2022
My female budgie Tiki has the same condition. Her cere is very thick. Today I cleaned it with a wet cotton tip as she is in the nest and her cere was crusted up with dirt. Tiki’s looks worse than kiwi’s but I don’t think that pieces of wax will come off
February 23, 2022
Thank you so much for your detailed info.I live up in an area that has limited vets and they are not taking new patients anyway soooo you saved me.I think I can handle this.I thought it was mites until I saw your post.
March 23, 2023
March 18, 2023
March 12, 2023
One way to provide birds with the necessary enrichment they need is through the use of toys.
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Rhiannon
September 10, 2022
One of the birds I take care of at work (long term care facility) has this condition. It is thought he’s male, but learning about this it could be possibly they got the sex wrong. The bird is not tame at all, can they live with all of that stuff on their beaks or should I try to see if I could take him to the vet?