Scab-like cere

[boba7ett]

Hi folks,

we bought a pair of budgies a year ago and they have been great companions since we brought them into the house. Pod (this is what happens when you let a 9-year-old name the pets!) is definitely a male, and we think Barry (!) is a female due to the brownish cere. Both are quite skittish (Barry more so than Pod) and have a tendency to scoot to the highest point of the cage whenever anyone gets too close. 

This morning, I noticed that Barry’s cere has gone a dark brown and looks almost like a scab. So, in the rare instance of Google not being your friend, I’ve discovered alternately that this is normal in females around breeding times or that she’s got scaly face mites. Obviously, I’m concerned, but wanted to get some advice before I put both birds through the trauma of trying to get Barry out of the cage to take her to the vet (the cage is too tall for the car to consider taking everything). I’m including a blurry picture (Barry is the yellow bird), and was wondering if anyone might be able to advise me one way or the other. 





Many thanks,

Matt

[Marianne Marlow]

Welcome!

Barry looks like a hen in breeding condition to me

As long as you can see her nares (nostrils) so that she can breathe okay, then she's fine. I only ask that as the photo isn't that clear when I enlarge it.

[Marianne Marlow]

Also, if you do not want them to mate, then do not give any nesting box, coconut or small dark places and hopefully, fingers crossed, you should be okay.

[samwiseg]

Agree with Marianne Marlow looks like a hen in bredding condition to me too

Welcome to the forum BTW boba7ett! (someone likes Star Wars)

[boba7ett]

Hi Marianne and samwiseg,

Thanks for the quick reply. Breathing a HUGE sigh of relief here!

I can see her nares and she doesn’t seem to be in any difficulty breathing.

And thanks, too for the advice. We weren’t sure whether we needed to provide a nesting box, but on that advice I’m off out to buy a few extra spotlights to brighten those vaguely dim corners

Thanks again!

Matt

[Marianne Marlow]

Hopefully you'll stick around and let us know how you all get on.

The budgies may still "practice" but it won't necessarily produce eggs

[boba7ett]

I’ll definitely be sticking around. So many things I want to know, so I’ll be doing some reading this weekend.

And when I passed on the nesting news to my wife and son, I was told in no uncertain terms that they’d be getting their nesting box, so I could be a grandad after all!

[Marianne Marlow]

Oct 13, 2019 11:59:21 GMT boba7ett said:

I’ll definitely be sticking around. So many things I want to know, so I’ll be doing some reading this weekend.

And when I passed on the nesting news to my wife and son, I was told in no uncertain terms that they’d be getting their nesting box, so I could be a grandad after all!

Make sure you read up on the breeding, it's very important that they are provided with all that they need if you're letting them go down that road.

Also that you know what you'll be doing with any offspring.

[Hezz]

Oct 13, 2019 10:18:48 GMT Marianne Marlow said:

Welcome!

Barry looks like a hen in breeding condition to me

As long as you can see her nares (nostrils) so that she can breathe okay, then she's fine. I only ask that as the photo isn't that clear when I enlarge it.

This says it all, really. No need for concern.