Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Lois D. has a question about bird beaks:

 

My 12 yr old male Jenday is in fine health–eating and playing and chewing wood etc all day.

 

But I just noticed a spot on his beak (right side) bottom, that is bare (not black)-I cleaned his beak.

 

Just wondering–have searched the internet and all my books– can’t find a thing.

 

Can you help?

 

Should I be concerned? Thanks so much.

 

Hi Lois,

 

Unlike bird’s toenails and dissimilar human teeth and nails, beaks are not inert carotin but living organisms.

 

They are filled with nerve endings called “corpuscles of Herbst” and will change just like any other live organ.

 

We discourage pet bird keepers from stroking a bird’s beak for that very reason because the action may inadvertently stimulate the bird sexually.

 

For now, I would just keep an eye on it and make sure there’s no swelling, weakness, or longing of the beak tip.

 

If it’s keeping you up at night, take him to an avian veterinarian as dog and cat veterinarians are not intimately familiar with psittacine beaks.

 

For more Beak information please read our post:

 

That Hookbill In Your Home – How Much Do You Know About Bird Beaks?

 

Stay safe

Best

MitchR