Scaly Face?

[gpgilbert]

Would you agree that the budgie in this photo has scaly face? That's what it looks like to me, but I can't understand how he got it since he hasn't been exposed to any other birds that ever had it. It is my brother's mother-in-law's bird, Perky.

[AngelWings]

Yep, it's 100% scaly face.

[Akala]

Totally scaley face.

[chompie_puppy]

Yes, it is definitely scaly face.

Sometimes mites can be brought into the cage with new toys and perches. I think they burrow into wooden perches and rope toys. So if he had any toys from a pet shop where there could have been scaly face on the budgies... then perky could have gotten it from that.

Don't quote me on that though! :p I'm pretty sure... but not 100%... that this is a likely possibility.

Does your brother's mother-in-law have an avian vet nearby that she can take Perky to? The sooner you can nip scaly face in the butt, the better as it can permanently deform a bird's beak and feet.

My Bubblegum has deformed toes and toenails because she suffered from scaly face before I got her. I have to clip her toenails regularly and also apply a lotion to her feet.

[SpickyDavies]

yes it is, and it needs to be treated
if left it in can cause serious promblems!
it's cheap to treat, don't use the sprays

get either ivermectin or scatt

mites can travel in your hair, on sheo and cloths, toys anything

[absolutangel]

I'd say yes too, but a quick vet visit should solve the problem quite easily. Ivermectin isn't an expensive treatment (not here at least) so get it sorted asap and the poor little thing should feel much better!

[Corina]

Yes that is scaly face. Scaly face mites can't live for too long off the bird but they can still hide in toys and perches especially wooden ones. Also a bird can have the mites and it can take months for us to notice the first signs, so even if he looked like he didn't have any when he was brought home it doesn't mean that he didn't have them. Scaly face mites are impossible to see with the naked eye, it is the burrows that we see. Ivermectin is the best thing to treat them :)

[gpgilbert]

Thanks for all your input. The mystery was solved when I found out that Perky's guardian had moved him into a cage that had been used by some other birds. So, while he had never been exposed directly to any effected birds, he was infected by the cage. He got treatment right away, so hopefully he will be better soon. He is the CUTEST little budgie. He speaks clearly and has a very extensive vocabulary. (Can you tell I'm proud of him.) His guardian loves him and takes really good care of him. She does a great job teaching him human language and polite manners.

[Bethany]

Thats mites :(
Its great you found the cause!

[absolutangel]

Glad to hear you found the cause of the problem and have been able to get treatment. He sounds like a great budgie!