Brown Beak

[april s]

Hi. I have posted about Enoch in another section on these forums.

I have a question. His beak is NOT solid black. It is brownish...really looks like a thin layer of black over a bone color. Kind of like if I had on a thin layer of polish but you could see my nails through it. When the light is behind him, his beak looks transluscent.

Is this a sign of illness? I googled it and one site popped up that said that a brownish beak is a sign of beak and feather disease.

[april s]

Oh and I did have an appointment today for him with the avian vet we love but it was cancelled due to snow/bad roads. I plan to take him to the vet on Friday, but you know how hard it is to wait when one of your babies may be ill!!

Thank for any information. I know you guys aren't vets, but if you have heard anything or have any anecdotal information, I'd like to hear it.

[Elle]

if it looks like this picture, it's a Timneh. If not, a picture would help

http://www.africangreyforum.com/foru...f-jessie-2680/

[april s]

I can't figure out how to insert a picture into a post. I made an album on here with several pictures from different angles to give you a better idea of what it looks like.

http://www.africangreyforum.com/foru...php?albumid=80

My friend and I think it looks like a mix between a Congo and a Timneh beak. The lady at the pet store said they had had "hybrid" Greys at one point. I suspect he may be one due to his beak and his build compared to the other Congos I've seen (he's smaller). I dont' care which he is as long as he's healthy.

[greycloud]

He could be a hybrid. Timnehs have a bone colored bill. His is lighter then normal but not horn colored. I remember you said is tail was red not maroon. His beak could darken with age.One thing I notice is that his Maxilla (top beak) is rolled smooth slightly on the side. His beak is slightly mishapen and doesn't have a definite seal. You shouldn't be able to see the tongue from the side like you do. This could be caused by poor handfeeding techniques. He looks healthy but it is still important to have that vet check done. Let us know how it goes.

[april s]

That's odd that you say that about his beak being misshappen because he always makes this vibrating clicking noise that sounds like teeth chattering.

I hate to keep referring to what my friend told me the lady from the pet store told her but she said the lady handfed him by pushing the syringe into the side of his beak. I don't know if that is correct or not. I can tell you that his beak comes together way more than my friend's Grey's beak does (hers has a much wider gap).

I sort of handfeed him now a couple snacks a day but I don't insert the syringe at all. He opens his beak and I squirt a little formula at a time into his beak.

His appointment is Thursday. I will post an update but please keep the ideas coming.

Oh, and his beak is actually partially open in most of those pictures. This is the one where it is closed:
http://www.africangreyforum.com/foru...&pictureid=555

[Lisa B]

yes, there could be some timneh in there somewhere. I've seen a few that dont have just the black.
Its good to have a vet check him, and to see if there is a problem.

[greycloud]

That picture of the beak closed looks normal. Let us know how the vet check goes.

[BIRDSITTER]

Hi april to post a picture in your post click on "Post Reply" then scroll down to where it says "Manage Attachments" click on that then click on Browse pick out a picture then "UPLOAD" then go and put what ever you want to put in the message box To be sure after your done with the mesage click on preview and the message and picture should come up if it does then click on "Submit Message" IF not let me know