Posted by loveowl on Wed, 08/22/2007 - 10:14 :: General Discussion
I have been trying to hand tame my mother's parakeet for the past 6 months. Very little progress has been made. I recently moved about an hour away and took her with me. The move stressed her out. She hasn't been eating very much. Her cere has turned a dark red. I noticed a feather was stuck in her nostril. I had to grab her to take it out. This really freaked her out b/c she is not hand tamed. Could the feather have caused the discoloration in the cere? Could it have been stress or something else? Any thoughts or suggestions? Also, her droppings are darker and she is not as active. I am really worried.
Posted by karen on Wed, 08/22/2007 - 17:19.
I don't think the feather could have caused the change. Mature female budgies' ceres DO change to a darker brown color and 'crusty' texture - it scares a lot of owners but it is normal. Are you sure that's not what you're seeing? I would be worried about a dark red cere.


Karen
Chico (conure) and Pippin (budgie)
WI
Posted by loveowl on Thu, 08/23/2007 - 03:16.
Karen, Thanks for the reply. The cere changed rather quickly. It is 'crusty' looking. Is that normal for an adult parakeet? She is about 6 yrs old.