Tonsillitis – the inflamed tonsils are visible as the triangular bright pink area in the roof of the mouth. The row of spicules, known as ‘the fringe’ has been lost. This bird has an established respiratory infection. The glottis (entrance to the windpipe) is rounded, the mucous membranes (lining) of the mouth are slightly blue and the tongue tip is discoloured – all consistent with increased respiratory effort and decreased oxygen levels in the blood. |
The throat of a bird with a severe upper respiratory infection. The front of the choana (the ‘slot) is swollen closed and bubbly mucus is draining from the sinuses through the choana into the mouth. The pharyngeal tonsil is swollen and red and is readily visible as the triangular structure in the bird’s palate. The spicules (the ‘fringe’) have been destroyed in the inflammatory process and are no longer visible. The lining of the mouth has a bluish colour, indicating reduced blood oxygen levels. |
Bird with a sinus infection. Birds have a doughnut-shaped sinus that surrounds the eye. When inflamed, fluid forms in it, which, with gravity, accumulates at its base, causing the section of face below the eye to bulge. This bird also has a concurrent conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelid). Over the next few days, as the inflammatory fluid drains away, the cere will become stained. |
Long Beak
Some pigeons are born with long beaks and this is normal for them. However when a bird’s beak starts to suddenly increase in length when it is an adult this is usually associated with disease. The visible part of the upper beak is called the rhinotheca. It grows like a human fingernail with the area at the top of the beak gradually moving towards the beak tip. The beak is totally replaced every 3-6 months. Usually the rate of growth matched the rate of wear and so the beak always appears the same length. Abnormally long beaks will develop if there is disease or injury involving the growth area at the base of the beak near the cere or if there is internal disease, particularly involving the liver. Trimming the beak will temporarily help an affected bird prehend its food but the long term answer is to identify and correct the underlying problem so that normal beak growth can again occur. |