[amina.4109]

I noticed the feathers on the sides of my birds beak were missing, but I assumed she was just molting. But then I noticed a few days later that there were sores on either side of her beak where the feathers were. She's also missing some feathers on the top of her beak as well so is it possible that she's just molting? I'm not really sure since I've never seen anything like this before. The sores are a bit swollen and red so I wasn't really sure what it could be. I thought it could be because another bird bit her, since they do tend to get into fights. I'm hoping it isn't pox since I have 15 other birds that she's been around for the past few days and I can't bear the thought of the rest of them getting pox. I've separated her for now, but I didn't separate her mate from the rest of the birds since he isn't showing any symptoms. As a side note, my pigeons don't go outside but I do have a room for them that sometimes gets bugs like flies and mosquitos in it occasionally. Does anyone know what it could be? Is it possible that it's just a small infection or some sort of deficiency?

Update: I noticed a bit of yellow in the back of her throat, but she won't let me open her beak so I'm not entirely sure it that's what I'm seeing. Is it possibly canker? And if so how can I treat it? Does she have to be permanently separated from the rest of the birds or is it safe to put her back once treated?

NOTE: Her eye has been like that for a few years since she once got an infection in her eye and it shrunk down, it isn't because of whatever is going on with her beak

 

[Marina B]

Check inside her throat again with a flashlight or headlamp. Canker can cause featherloss around the beak. Can be treated with metronidazole, ronidazole or Spartrix. Do you have an avian vet you can take her too for a cropsmear to test for canker? After treatment she can join the others again.

Does not look like pox. She might have scratched herself and caused the injury. What do her droppings look like?

 

[amina.4109]

Check inside her throat again with a flashlight or headlamp. Canker can cause featherloss around the beak. Can be treated with metronidazole, ronidazole or Spartrix. Do you have an avian vet you can take her too for a cropsmear to test for canker? After treatment she can join the others again.

Does not look like pox. She might have scratched herself and caused the injury. What do her droppings look like?

I tried to look in her throat but she keeps moving her tongue back and doesn't let me open her mouth long enough to see. It looked like there might have been something white at the back of her throat but it looked a bit like a seed? Like I said it's really difficult to get a good look. The sores around her look like a slight bump on each side, its a bit hard to see in the photo. Her droppings were greener than usual but they look more normal today. Is it possibly mites? I've heard that mites can cause feather loss and scabbing on the face.

 

[Marina B]

Get something from a petshop for mites. Scalex is a good choice. Spray her all over, just cover the head to avoid the eyes. Order some cankermeds, always good to have this available when needed. I'm posting a list of canker symptoms to look out for.