Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to call them, they are an integral part of our Hookbills! So, let's break the beak down into some understandable lessons:
A. Anatomy - What is a beak?
It is not "dead" material, like hair or fingernails - rather, it is a living organ, the tip of which contains a bundle of sensitive nerves. The beak itself consists of keratin (a protein called the ramphotheca) which covers bone (the premaxilla or upper beak and mandible or lower beak). Directly above the beak is the cere, which is the soft skin containing a parrot's nostrils. All parrots use their beak as an extra "hand," for climbing, exploring, tasting, sensing, etc. "Beaking" is a stage of developmental growth, where young parrots learn how to use their beaks for various tasks. It serves in the role of a number of tools, such as knife, hammer, chisel, anvil, can opener, etc., but all the while retaining a high degree of sensitivity.
B. Basics - So what do we do in dealing with our bird's beaks on a daily basis?
Most birds love having their beaks touched and rubbed and it's a great way to bond with your parrot to touch and stroke his beak. It's important to set guidelines on appropriate beak use, using commands like "Gentle" to let your parrot know if he's using too much pressure. There's nothing wrong with letting your parrot "beak" gently and appropriately on your fingers. However, that beak can also be a deadly weapon, so be cautious about letting parrots shoulder perch. If a parrot is over stimulated, it's important to keep him down on your forearm or hand, in order to intervene on any aggressive behavior. I do not belong to the school that says "no beak on skin" - you simply need to set guidelines and pay attention to what's going on.
C. Care - To care for your bird's beak you need a combination of good nutrition and proper toys.
Some beak deformities can occur from improper handfeeding techniques but they can also occur from congenital problems or dietary deficiencies. It's important to catch these problems early in order to correct them. Beak overgrowth can be a problem for parrots who don't have enough chewable perches and toys - it can also indicate problems with protein metabolism, or liver and kidney disease. I advocate cuttlebones, mineral blocks, grooming perches, and a variety of soft and hardwood toys to keep beaks in shape. Beak trimming should rarely be necessary for birds with good diets and lots of toys, but if needed, should consist of only gentle clipping and/or filing. NEVER let anyone use a Dremel tool on your parrot's beak (or nails) the high heat can cause nerve damage. By the same token, never let anyone talk you into beak trimming (or beak notching EVER) as a way to deal with biting. Behavior work can help with constant biting, but don't attempt to deal with it by disabling your parrot's beak.
Parrots use their beaks to eat, climb, play, show affection, and explore. All of this is natural and appropriate. Problems with beaks require help from an avian vet, nutritionist, or behaviorist, so it's important to pay attention to what's going on with your parrot's beak on a regular basis.
-----------------------------------------
Your Parrot Place
Marilu Anderson, Bird Nutrition and Behavior Consultant, (503) 771-BIRD. Marilu is a regular contributor to the Your Parrot Place Newsletter. YourParrotPlace.com - Only the Best for Your Parrot!
Free eBook!
140 pages! A compilation of parrot articles from 2000-2004.
http://www.yourparrotplace.co
m/ebooks/ypp2004ebook.htm
When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
Introducing your puppy to the crate should be an easy... Read More
Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More
There is a dangerous problem that horse owners should be... Read More
Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More
Puppy CarePuppy care can be a lot of work, but... Read More
Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but... Read More
1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently.... Read More
PROBIOTICS - The Good Bacteria - Does your pet have... Read More
There are three important litter box considerations to account for... Read More
Is your dog a gentleman or lady? If so, you... Read More
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these 'How... Read More
While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More
Mention the word "video" and different people would come up... Read More
The city I live in just increased its fees for... Read More
The most common dog problems:Dog Owner's commonly ask me the... Read More
Which cat food should you feed your cat to be... Read More
Why paint your cat? After all cats are beautiful creatures... Read More
Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More
If you're like me, then you don't really have the... Read More
DogtraWhen looking for a dog training collar or containment system,... Read More
Carl Icahn, the hostile takeover master who was THE original... Read More
If your feline friend could speak your language, here a... Read More
"Doggy breath" ? that unpleasant odor emanating from the mouths... Read More
Some sources seem to indicate that living with a serval... Read More
Just like when you bring home a new baby, you... Read More
Your cat scratching at your furniture can not only leave... Read More
If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy,... Read More
All dogs bark, it's their way to communicate a message.... Read More
A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More
Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first... Read More
I have a business card burning a hole in my... Read More
Everyday someone asks me, "How do you start a pet-sitting... Read More
A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More
The city I live in just increased its fees for... Read More
Why use a crate:When used properly and not abused, crates... Read More
I have encountered folks who have complained to me about... Read More
This is the story of my dog called Shandy. He... Read More
Eclampsia, or milk fever, is an acute, life-threatening condition which... Read More
Puppies have a natural instinct inside that causes them to... Read More
So you're getting a Rottweiler puppy? Here are some general... Read More
Every year, hundreds of thousands of cats and kittens are... Read More
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits... Read More
Has your pet recently been coughing, eating less, or being... Read More
Whether purely for looks or for a bird's home, bird... Read More
I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More
If you're like me, then you don't really have the... Read More
Dog crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More
Well first of all I was always a cat owner,... Read More
So you're bringing home that cute little puppy from the... Read More
It is important to choose a sugar glider breeder carefully.... Read More
Everyday someone asks me, "How do you start a pet-sitting... Read More
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More
Some Dogs like Boxers unfortunately, are prone to several potential... Read More
Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in... Read More
I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More
Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish... Read More
From the first day of life on a leash, most... Read More
Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More
I'm a dog lover who believes that every dog owners... Read More
June is Disaster Preparedness for Pets month ? but if... Read More
Some people say they are exclusively "cat people," meaning they... Read More
You've seen them in movies and on TV shows, and... Read More
Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More
Are you considering buying a dog for your child or... Read More
Do you have some adult discus fish and want to... Read More
Pet |