Beak injury

I brought this squab in today. He's starting to fledge and I want to keep him safe until he can fly. He's healthy overall, has a good appetite and a good weight. But I looked closely and it looks like maybe someone bit the tip of his beak. It looks healed now, but I want to make sure it's nothing to worry about. The picture's not the greatest, it looks a bit worse in real life. It doesn't seem to bother him, and he can pick up seeds, but it looks a little scary.

Luna...it doesn't look bad at all in the picture and I believe you when you say it looks worse in real life. I think you were wise to follow your instincts and bring him in. I hope the beak heals.
Does it look like a rodent bite?

I don't know, I think if it was a rodent bite it would be odd that the bottom beak is undamaged. Also, I think it's too curved. It looks more like someone grabbed him from above. It doesn't look infected or anything.

Have rodents started coming inot your loft now that the weather is changing?

I don't think so, I've actually been seeing fewer of them than normal. I see some holes around the base of the loft on occasion, but I fill them in when I see them.

He's beautiful! Could it be he got the tip of his beak caught somewhere? As you said, it looks like it's healing. Glad you took him under your wing!

It'll probably heal fine. Good that you brought him in though.

What a precious little one.
Given that the lower beak is undamaged, it's very likely that he caught his upper beak on something.
I'm also thinking if it had been a rodent of some kind I don't think it would have stopped at just biting the beak.

Please keep us posted.

AZWhitefeather wrote:

What a precious little one.
Given that the lower beak is undamaged, it's very likely that he caught his upper beak on something.
I'm also thinking if it had been a rodent of some kind I don't think it would have stopped at just biting the beak. Please keep us posted.

Unless it was a young rodent, startled or realized it wasn't exactly what was the best part of the pigeon to gnaw on.

It's possible he caught it on something. When I first saw it I thought it had a string or hair wrapped around it.

He is extremely food oriented. I was holding him earlier and he kept poking at one of my freckles to see if he could eat it.

Matilda wrote:

AZWhitefeather wrote:

What a precious little one.
Given that the lower beak is undamaged, it's very likely that he caught his upper beak on something.
I'm also thinking if it had been a rodent of some kind I don't think it would have stopped at just biting the beak.
Please keep us posted.

Unless it was a young rodent, startled or realized it wasn't exactly what was the best part of the pigeon to gnaw on.

To a rodent, I don't think there is a 'best part' to gnaw on.
For some reason, it just doesn't seem like they would be too particular.

Luna Wolf wrote:

It's possible he caught it on something.
When I first saw it I thought it had a string or hair wrapped around it.

He is extremely food oriented.
I was holding him earlier and he kept poking at one of my freckles to see if he could eat it.

He sure is a little darling.

How's he doing Luna?

He's doing well, he's been filling his crop all on his own, and I think he's getting close to flying. I let him flap around on my bed for a few minutes each morning.

That's good. ...he's a beautiful bird. Does it seem like the beak is firming up?

Glad to hear the little one is doing well.

Matilda wrote:

That's good. ...he's a beautiful bird. Does it seem like the beak is firming up?

Yeah, it's more hard now. Also, I don't know if it's just because it was wet, but his beak seemed not to look so bad today.

That's good.

How is the youngster now, Luna? I'd love an update...

He's all grown up now. His beak still looks slightly odd, but it doesn't bother him and he's getting along with everyone just fine.

That's great, Luna.
He was such a pretty baby and I bet he has turned into a handsome teenager even though his beak is a bit odd looking.

Appreciate the update, Luna Wolf.
I'm glad all is going well.

When time permits, we'd love to see some pictures.

Luna Wolf wrote:

He's all grown up now. His beak still looks slightly odd, but it doesn't bother him and he's getting along with everyone just fine.

That's great! He must be a very handsome pidge now... Any gossip on his love life?

I'll get some pictures of him today if I remember.
He seems to be flirting with a young fantail, Beeb. He's not so sure, though.

Luna Wolf wrote:

I'll get some pictures of him today if I remember.

He seems to be flirting with a young fantail, Beeb. He's not so sure, though.

Please do keep us posted.