Minty's cere has changed colour!

[Billie]

Hi All

Now I know the picture at the bottom of my posts is of when my feathered family were babies...but I've noticed in the last few months Miny's (male) cere has changed from bright blue to dark brown



Here he is as he looks now



Is it because he's 'grown up' and is all flirty with everyone? But Harry and Tiny will feed anyone who will stand still and let them and their cere's haven't changed colour.

I thought it was a perch maybe leaving a stain on him but when I bathed his cere a couple of months back before it got this dark it didn't change anything. Also they all rub their faces on the perch and the others aren't having this problem???

Any ideas, what is going on with him? He is well in himself, he's alway hot and often holds his wings open. If he steps up his feet are really hot, but that has been the way since I first got him and what earnt him his nickname of 'Angel Wings'.

BTW Don't worry about his pink head, he's been at the cuttlefish and it was under the iodine block so he ends up with a pink flush on his feathers, cute or what hehehe

Thanks

Billie

[Berserka]

I have read that when a male's cere changes colour it means he is infertile. Whether it be by a natural occurance or illness no one can be sure without a full workup by a vet.
I had a male who's cere changed colour and he lost his libido as well so I guess it may well be true.

[Billie]

Hi Karen

At the time Minty's cere changed colour there was nowt wrong with his libido, he was constantly chasing his mate/sister Sky and trying to feed her and chatted her up constantly.

I wonder if it will change colour again?

Now Sky has died poor Minty is very lost, he isn't calling for her or looking for her, but she was the leader and the boys are not sure what to do. Minty keeps sitting alone and trying to feed the perch. Minty and Sky were inseperable. Any attempts to buddy up from Tiny and Harry are met with Minty either closing his eyes as if hiding or running away. He's gone even more anxious than he used to be.

My poor Sky only died on Thursday.

Billie

[Berserka]

It probably will change colour again.
The boy I mentioned, after about 2yrs with a brown cere it became bright blue for about 2 months then changed back again.
He died a few weeks ago when the floods came. His cage bottom filled with water and as he couldn't fly he couldn't save himself when he fell off the perch during the night. He was 9 years old.

Have you thought about getting another girl with same/similar colouring to Sky? It may help Minty cope? May also be good for you too.

[Billie]

Hi KAren

I'm so sorry for your loss, that's just awful your poor bird and you too

The boys are settling down quite well now. Tiny has taken charge, Minty is coping better. Harry will follow anyone.

Not ready to get any more birds. Five was too many and three are noisy enough!

Thanks for your kind words though. I was just making sure that Minty's cere changing colour wasn't a need to rush to the vet

Hugs

Billie xx