What is this new coloring on forehead?

[pikachik]

Hi all, this is Poppy. We've had her for almost a year, and within the last few days we have noticed this orange/pinkish coloring develop above her beak. Is this normal, or is it something I should be concerned about? Maybe she's just maturing (she was very young when we got her), or is it something missing in her diet?
My mom has had parakeets most of my life, but this is my first time taking care of my own. Very lively, in a good mood, acts healthy, I just want to make sure.



photos.app.goo.gl/j74VbnTNUMWAA8mz5

photos.app.goo.gl/Rtn5Dm8nMai6PZbZ8

[tweetiepiesmom]

It does look to me like your little girl is growing up! The brownish color above her cere looks like she's been rubbing it against a perch. Most budgies do that when they have pin feathers - because they itch, its a good way to scratch.

[Morgan]

pikachik - Take this with a grain of salt, but I have read that discoloration in the feathers above the cere could be due to a lack of vitamin A, or respiratory infection. Usually the color is more dark brown rather than orange, so she could just be rubbing her head on something that transferred the dye to her feathers. It does look like the discoloration is limited to just above each nare though, and not across her entire forehead. Others who are more experienced with budgies will be along to help as well

[Hezz]

More likely to be a respiratory/sinus infection than Vit A deficiency, if the bird eats its green and orange foods - dark leafy greens and orange fruit and veg such as carrots and chillies. Dandelion is also very rich in Vit A. It is much more likely to be a respiratory infection which will need antibiotics to clean up. While it might not be affecting her now, it will be compromising her immune system and leaving her susceptible to other illnesses.

You will need to see a vet for the antibiotics, but in the meantime you can give her hot steamy saunas to help open up her airways. Put her in a small cage in a bathroom with a hot running shower, and close it up tight. Hope that it hasn’t gotten into her sinuses as sinus infections are terribly hard to get rid of.

The staining spraying out from the nostrils is very typical of a respiratory infection.

[Marianne Marlow]

I agree with Hezz, could be a respiratory infection. I'd get her to an avian vet.

[pikachik]

Thank you everyone for the advice!! I really appreciate it. I'll see what I can do for her then, hopefully it's not too serious.

[Hezz]

While she has an obvious problem, she does look lovely and bright-eyed and alert. Hopefully it will be easily cleared up with a round of AB’s.