If you have housed a cockatiel and you’ve noticed that your bird’s beak is turning black, then you’re probably quite concerned for the health of your bird.
The good news is that if your cockatiel’s beak is turning black it may be nothing serious and even if it is serious – the problem can be treated.
If your cockatiel’s beak turns black, it is likely due to an injury. The change can be natural as well. Sometimes, a dirty beak might also seem black to you. Other common reason include restricted diet.
Most of these reasons shoule not worry you, while others can demand your intervention.
Fortunately, there are ways you can implement to fix these issues in cockatiels. Let’s talk about them in detail below.
Do Cockatiel’s Beak Change Color?
It’s normal for cockatiel owners to be concerned that their bird’s beak color change signifies something’s wrong. However, that’s not always the case.
It’s normal for the color of a cockatiel’s beak to start as one color and change to its permanent shade with age.
There are a number of reasons due to which the beak of a cockatiel changes its color. The top reasons being change in color due to diet, malnutrition, fungus, injury, and bruising.
Significant Reasons Why Cockatiel’s Beak Turing Black
There are several reasons why your cockatiel’s beaks are turning black.
Some of these reasons are nothing for any bird keeper to worry about. Others could be an indication of a severe condition.
Here are four reasons your cocktiel’s beaks is turning black.
Beak Is Just Dirty
Many a time, cockatiel just are not great at cleaning themselves and you wouldn’t be the first bird owner to become concerned by a color change in the beak which just turned out to be impacted dirt on the beak.
The good news is that you really don’t have to worry if this is the case.
Take a close look at your cockatiel’s beak, if it appears that it might be encrusted dirt, take a damp cloth and give the beak a gentle cleaning.
Don’t use any chemicals for this – just be gently persistent, don’t forget that the beak is sensitive. This will be more than enough to shift any dirt.
Broken Beak
Sadly, there is a slight possibility that your cockatiel’s beak is broken. This is a more serious issue and though you may be able to treat it – you may also need to take your bird to the vet if the break is particularly serious.
The blackness here is likely to be caused by bleeding into the material of the beak and will reflect the pain and unhappiness that your cockatiel might be feeling.
Your cockatiel can break their beaks for several reasons. Fights can make our bird’s break their beaks. Cockatiels can break their beaks if they often bump it at hard objects.
Natural Change
There are certain species of cockatiels that either begin with black beaks or have their beaks turned black over time. In these chickens, the black beak is just a natural attribute.
If the same is the case with your bird, there is nothing for you to worry about.
The black color is, in fact, an absence of the pigment normally present in the beak and is caused by the pigment producing cells below ceasing to operate.
It’s not painful and doesn’t cause the cockatiel any distress when this happens.
Restricted Diet
Diet is critically important to overall cockatiel health, and through the look and color of a bird’s beak you can tell you if your little pet is missing something in its diet.
If you have restricted your cockatiel’s diet to seed only, then your bird’s beak might turn black.
In these case, it may result in your cockatiel’s beak turning black due to a lack of essential nutrients and minerals in their diet, or even due to an excess of fat in a seed-only diet.
Do A Cockatiel’s Beak Change Color With Age?
It is quite normal for a cockatiel’s beak to change color with age.
Your cockatiel’s beaks might change from a shiny pink that look healthy, to a dull black that may look like cause for concern.
This change is just a part of a cockatiel’s aging process. Therefore, in such cases, you must not worry.
However, if you are still concerned about your cockatiel’s health, take your bird to a vet. The doctor will be able to guide you in a better manner.
How To Keep A Cockatiel’s Beak Healthy?
The best solution to prevent your bird’s beak from turning black is by keeping its beak healthy.
There are a few tips and tricks you can follow to keep your cockatiel’s bird healthy.
The type of food you feed your bird, plays a significant role. If you feed your cockatiels with moldy feed, the bacteria in the feed will stick on their beaks.
It is important to feed your bird with healthy and fresh feed. It will not only help to keep your cockatiel’s beaks healthy, but it also helps improve their overall health.
Furthermore, you must check your cockatiel’s beaks for dirt regularly. Clean their beaks if they are too dirty using soft clothing.
In addition, inspecting your cockaties beaks can help you notice when the beaks have a problem, and, therefore, you will be able to take action if you notice something unsual with your birds’ beak.
Lastly, take your cockatiel to a vet if you notice something unusual with their beaks.
A good vet will treat your birds from diseases that could potentially affect their beaks.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, now that you know why your cockatiel’s beak is turning black and what to do about it.
There are four main reasons for this and now that you have ruled out these four options and you’re still concerned about your cockatiel’s beak, I would encourage you to talk to your vet.
There is a slight chance that a disease or parasitic infection is to blame. However, such cases are really rare.
In such cases, the only way to put your mind at ease is to consult a medical professional.
