Did you know that parrots often go by the name of hookbill? This is a term that is used in aviculture that is used to define the shape of a beak. Many other types of birds, like doves and pigeons, have soft bills but it is the hookbill that distinguishes parrots from these other birds. Parrots use their beak as an important tool for things like eating, climbing, preening, drinking, and prying. They also use it to play. In order for all of these tasks to be completed properly and for your parrot to stay in its best health, your bird’s beak must be in good condition. As a parrot owner, you probably already understand the importance of keeping your parrot’s beak healthy which is why it can be so scary when you find a hole underneath it. We often get asked, “ what’s the hole under my parrot’s beak?” And is it normal?
First off, if you notice a hole under your parrot’s beak, don’t panic. Let us put your mind to rest that this is completely normal. In fact, it’s not really a hole at all and it’s covered completely by skin. Parrots use this gap to help them swallow their food.
We will talk more about this gap and the purpose behind it as we move through this article. We will also discuss other aspects of a parrot’s beak and learn more about beak care and common beak concerns. So let’s not waste another minute.
What is the hole under my parrots beak?
As already mentioned, the hole under your parrot’s beak is not really a hole at all. It’s simply a gap that is covered by skin. In order to understand the purpose of the gap, we must first understand how a parrot’s beak works.
Parrots have an upper beak and a lower beak. The upper beak is long and curved, and is the part of the beak that is visible the majority of the time. The lower beak is much shorter than the upper beak and is semicircular. The upper beak is much more muscular than the lower beak and is the part of the beak that moves when the parrot opens its mouth.
When parrots eat, their throat is stretched by food. It is the gap under their beak that gives them flexibility to be able to swallow their food. If the beak was solid and didn’t have this hole, every time they opened their mouth, their lower beak would cut into their throat. It is this gap that allows the sides of the beak to move past the head, opening up the mouth and letting food pass down and through the throat.
All parrots have this gap but it is well hidden so you may not have noticed it before. It is most easily noticed after a parrot has taken a bath, when the feathers are wet, or while a bird is preening.
Should I be concerned about my parrot’s beak?
As we have just learned, there is no need to be concerned when you see a hole under your parrot’s beak. This is completely normal and all parrots have this gap. With that being said, there are some things that can go wrong with your parrot’s beak and that you should be concerned about. Common beak concerns include:
Developmental concerns.
Sometimes genetic or incubation abnormalities can lead to congenital deformities after a parrot has been born. In such cases, the size of the beak or the curvature of the beak may be affected. In some cases such developmental concerns are just aesthetic, while others may require corrective surgery.
Trauma concerns.
There are many different ways that a parrot can become injured. The most common beak injuries are a result of trauma suffered from a bite by another parrot or bird. During mating season, parrots can become extremely aggressive and this aggression can lead to facial injuries as well as other head and beak injuries. In some cases the beak will heal on its own, and in other cases it may grow abnormally.
Nutritional concerns.
If your parrot is facing malnutrition, this can affect the growth of their beak. Malnutrition can cause a beak to soften or flake. The most common nutritional deficit to affect a parrot’s beak is vitamin A deficiency. In some cases, nutritional deficiencies can cause the beak to grow at an abnormal rate. For this reason it is extremely important that your parrot is fed a balanced, healthy, and nutritional diet. Remember that over-supplementation can also affect your parrots beak growth, so be careful when adding powders and drops to your parrot’s food.
Disease concerns.
There are several diseases that can affect the growth of your parrot’s beak. The most common cause of an overgrown beak in parrots is liver disease. If your parrot is overweight, they are at heightened risk of liver disease and may experience abnormal beak growth. Parrots with liver disease may require additional supplements in their diet to prevent problems with the beak and to prevent end-stage liver failure.
Infection concerns.
Believe it or not, your parrot’s beak is a target for common infections and diseases. PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease) is a virus that is found in many different species of parrots. It can lead to a variety of problems with the beak including lesions, beak thickening, ulcers, fractures, and elongation of the beak. The beak can also be affected by other viruses including pox viruses and polyomavirus. Bacterial and fungal infections can also affect your parrot’s beak health.
How do I properly care for my parrots beak?
As mentioned earlier, your parrot’s beak plays a large role in their overall health and happiness. For this reason it’s important that you keep their beak healthy. As an owner, there are several things that you can do to improve the health of your parrot’s beak. These include:
Ensuring that your parrot has the proper nutrition.
Nutrition plays a huge role in the health of your parrot as well as in the health of your parrot’s beak. Offering your parrot a healthy balanced diet that meets all of their nutritional needs is essential for beak health. In addition to the proper foods, always be sure that your parrot has fresh and clean water to drink.
Ensuring your parrot has plenty of chew toys.
Toys aren’t just for keeping your parrot entertained. Many toys that are created for parrots are also designed to entice your parrot to chew appropriately. Things like ropes, mineral blocks, coconut pieces, and wooden blocks are all great options for toys that your parrot can chew on to keep their beak healthy.
Providing your parrot with a conditioning perch.
A conditioning perch is a coarse and abrasive perch that allows your parrot to remove leftover food or debris that gets stuck on their beaks. This can help to prevent bacteria from building up on their beak, thereby contributing to the overall health of your parrots mouth and beak.
Be cautious of your parrots’ surroundings and environment.
Unfortunately, trauma is not that uncommon for a parrot’s beak. Not only are parrots aggressive during mating season, but they are extremely curious and mischievous birds that will get into anything within their surroundings. In order to prevent scratches, chips, or breaks, it is important that you monitor your parrot and never leave them unsupervised when out of the cage. Parrots can chew on inappropriate objects like electrical cords or metal bars that can damage their beaks and lead to a variety of concerns.
Finally, be sure that you take your parrot to the veterinarian for regular checkups. Just like other animals, parrots should visit the veterinarian on a regular basis. Regular checkups and examinations can ensure that your parrot’s beak is growing properly and can help to prevent future concerns.
Why is my parrot’s beak flaking?
A human nail is made up of something called keratin. A parrot’s beak is made up of the same thing. Just as our fingernails grow throughout our lives and need to be maintained regularly, so does a parrot’s beak.. For this reason, parrot’s sometimes molt their beaks which can cause them to become flaky. This is simply the old keratin wearing off so that new keratin can grow in its place. This is a renewal process that is completely natural for your parrot.
How do I know if my parrot’s beak is healthy?
A healthy beak is generally symmetrical and smooth in appearance, and does not display any unusual textures. Healthy beaks are not discolored and are the appropriate length for the species of parrot that they belong to. Of course, as an owner you may not know the appropriate length of your parrots beak. This is why it is so essential that you have them visit a veterinarian for regular examinations and checkups.
With all of that being said, if your parrot is using their beak to eat, play, and chew without any concerns, their beak is probably just fine. If your parrot displays any signs of discomfort when using their beak or if they avoid using it take them to a veterinarian to have them checked out.