Early this morning, when I was looking for a Wren, I heard a " hello" behind me. There was Frankie sitting on the gate, and Janet sat in a tree close by. He has always said hello, someone must have taught him, might have been me? I had the camera in my hand, just as I was thinking, "you are looking good Frankie", I noticed his beak.
There was something stuck in it, I also thought there was some blood. When he turned his head, I noticed the lower part of his beak looks either brokenoff, or decayed.
What do you think? If the beak is broken, will it regrow? Will he be able to feed himself?
Looks like he's been sticking his beak into other bird business!
Cheers Beef
Is the damaged beak due to age? Or is it the onset of the dreadful beak & feather disease?
That's what I would like to know, Woko.
But the more I look at it, the more I think it's simply dirt? Wait until I see him again, that can be days, he turns up when he feels like it. I'm also worried other people feed him?
M-L
Araminta, I note that there is a piece of upper & lower bills missing on his left side. The veterinary-inclined among us may be able to give a diagnosis.
Because he's so tame it may well be that people are artificially feeding him, although I'm aware that you have this non-threatening presence which makes birds feel comfortable around you.
What do you think the thing stuck to his beak might be?
M-L
Toffee, Araminta?
Shirley, that's an interesting approach. It's negative reinforcement for a behaviour you don't want, I guess. Have you heard of this method being used with birds in other circumstances? It seems to be of dubious benefit with humans where positive reinforcement for desired behaviour seems to have more success. I'm wondering if there's any way of positively reinforcing the king parrot for keeping away from the artificial food.
Interesting, interesting. But not something I would want to do. If only for one reason:
if I scare Frankie off, and if someone in the neighbourhood feeds him, he will simply decide not to come back. I'm sure , he will take the easy option, and go where the food is dished up without any hassles. (wouldn't we all?Just like ,if I wouldn't feed my husband, would yell at him, and no sex, but the neighbour would give it to him
, he would be stupid not to take it
)
I do however want him to come back, so I can have a look at his beak. He trusts me so much, I won't have a problem catching him. He's been coming for years, he deserves to be treated with respect by me. Even if that means, I have to have him put to sleep.
M-L
Peter
Here is some information for all the people who like Frankie.
My daughter, a senior Vet-Nurse, has just come back from a trip. She tells me, “Parrot beaks do grow back”. She also tells me, people bring their pet parrots into the surgery to have their beaks trimmed, simply because eating commercial food, doesn’t wear their beaks down. As that sounds like a bit of good news, there is also the possibility that it might be a fungal infection? That would not be that good . I will let everyone know what will happen .
Shirley, I will answer to what you said. Am in a hurry right now.
M-L
Now here are some of my very personal thoughts on this.
Shirley said:
The point I am making here, Araminta, is despite the fact the bird may be in pain and may not be able to eat properly does not give anyone the right to put the bird down
I will say:
In my opinion the exact opposite applies, as a Secular Humanist, I firmly believe that we have a responsibility to not cause any pain and suffering to animals, including humans. To me that also includes the responsibility to prevent or alleviate suffering.
Frankie might not be in pain right now, but if he can’t feed himself properly, there is no doubt, he will be. Should that be the case ,in my opinion, it would be best for him to be put to sleep. (his partner will have to look for a new mate either way )
You also say: Wanting Frankie to stick around is just selfish.
No idea what you mean by that? I thought I made it quite clear , that I don’t want him to stick around if he is suffering, and there is no help, I would try my best to prevent it. To me, that is the only responsible action.
About teaching birds , we should not teach birds to adapt to us, we should learn how to make their lives better by adapting to them, seeing we have caused most their problems.
If anything, we should teach people not to feed birds commercial food.
O, one remark about Vets, they are very concientious and responsible people, and have to follow strict ethical rules.
When my daughter comes home from the Vet Clinic at night, more often than not ,she complaines about petowners who let their animals suffer needlessly, even if there is pain and no hope. Now, that is what I call selfish.
Anyway, I will keep an eye out for Frankie, hoping he will improve. What my daughter tells me about Parrot beaks growing back, gives some hope.
M-L
In my very humble opinion. Leave him be. I would also consider not making decisions about another creatures life. I don't believe the decisions are yours to make. Anyway, on a lighter note, that beak doesn't look very serious to me.