Brown feathers above cere?

[tiffandsmokey]

Smokey is worrying me since I have noticed some brownish feathers above his cere.
I have had him for just under a month now and I am just starting to notice these feathers.


I've researched and found it could be vitamin deficiencies or a respiratory infection, very worrying for me. He certainly didn't have these feathers when I first got him, so it may have been caused by something here that I'm not aware of. He only eats seed mixes at the moment, as I'm currently trying to introduce him to fresh fruits and veg instead of just seeds. He still plays, chirps, sleeps and interacts with me how he always has, but seeing these feathers has made me worried. I don't think he could have gotten it from a toy or perch in his cage as most of his toys are plastic and the dye doesn't run or stain, he also doesn't eat fruits/veggies/other foods that could potentially stain feathers. I'm not sure if he is molting, I haven't noticed any lost flight feathers at the bottom of the cage.



I've attached a couple of very recent pictures as well as a couple of older pictures, to show the difference in his feathers.


This is Smokey before I noticed the brown feathers:





lots of poop in the cage, don't worry it didn't stay like that for long! Budgies may be messy but they are much easier to clean up after than larger birds






And this is him with the brown feathers:













Any help will be greatly appreciated
(I have posted a similar thread on the talk budgies forum but I need answers!)

[starlingqueen]

You have answered your own question really, Vitamin deficiency or respiratory infection. Does he have cuttle bone and a mineral block? If not then that may help, also some supplements like feather up sprinkled on his food would be good. Is his tail bobbing up and down quite fast? If so it could be a respiratory infection. In that case you will need to take him to a vet.

[ffiscool]

this is exactly what Bailey has and has had since i got him, 8 months ago.

I took him to the vet, who thought it was possible vit A deficiency, and also new feathers coming through. He goes for a few days when it is gone, but mostly it is there. I give him vitmains in his water 1 or two times a week and other than that he is fine.

some i think are more prone to the feathers causing issues when coming through, than others. Sometimes the colour is redder when new pricks of blood - on the whole it is how you have shown. He has since been to another vet for something else, and nothing to suggest respiratory with him. I hope that it is the same for Smokey. i would just love to see Bailey without it for a long time.. but am resigned to the fact that is how he is. is Smokey losing any feaathers at all? he may also be rubbing his head cos sore, Bailey does

[Moogie]

My budgie Elfie had stains which got worse and worse,i took him to the vets and he had a "cold" so he was put on medication for a week and it all cleared up,maybe be best to take him to the vets any way just to put your own mind at rest.

[ffiscool]

Yes, I would get it checked. I took him at the beginning no also rang the breeder I got him from to ask her thoughts.

I don't think Baileys can be as so long now, that he's had this

[Hezz]

I am not sure he has a respiratory infection. Usually with a respiratory infection you will see two very distinct "sprays" going up in the direction from his nares. Moogie's Elfie was a classic case, if she doesn't mind me putting up Elf's thread??? Does he dunk his head when bathing, if he bathes, Tiff? This can cause a mild infection if he does; he may have aspirated some into his lungs. (Yes, budgies do have lungs, and air sacs)

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/2131/elfie?page=1

Vitamin A deficiency usually comes with other symptoms as well ..... dull and rough plumage with lots of dander, the cere is not smooth and shiny, sometimes (severe cases) a yellow crusting at the corners of the beak. Plus only having Smokey a month, I doubt that a Vit A deficiency would have occurred this quickly.

Sorry, not answering any of your questions, but maybe a vet can put your mind at rest.

[tiffandsmokey]

He seems to be doing okay at the moment, here is an update of sorts
budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/8405/moulting-budgie

[ffiscool]

bailey has gaps when his is ok. he gets vitamin drops once a week and i try give him regular carrots to help with vitamin A
he gets it worse when pin feathers come through

but no sign of respiratory issues