How to Care for Bird Beaks

A bird's beak is an essential part of its anatomy, as birds use their beak to perform a variety of functions. From feeding to grooming, climbing and playing, birds are highly dependent on the healthy functioning of the beak. Birds generally do not require special beak care, as the natural wear and tear on the beak while performing diverse tasks helps to naturally grind it and maintain its shape. However, illness or physical limitations can prevent your bird from taking care of its beak, which may increase its length and obstruct performance. There are several home-care measures that you can incorporate to ensure that your bird's beak stays healthy.

Things You'll Need

  • Chew toys such as pine cones, wood blocks and tree branches
  • Cement, lava rock or pumice stone textured perches
  • Climbing toys such as chains, ropes and ladders
  • Hard food items such as chicken bones, nuts and mollusk shells
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Instructions

    • 1

      Regularly monitor your bird's beak for signs of overgrowth, cracks or discoloration. If you observe any of these conditions, consult an avian vet to diagnose and treat your bird. Trimming an overgrown beak should be done only by a veterinarian or someone with training and experience in the procedure.

    • 2

      Supply chew toys such as pine cones, wood blocks and tree branches to engage your bird in an activity that simultaneously trims its beak. Rinse the toys in clean water before offering them to your bird. Rotate the chew toys at regular intervals to prevent your bird from getting bored with them.

    • 3

      Provide textured perches for your bird to rub its beak on while grooming itself after eating. Purchase a perch or two in cement, lava rock or pumice stone textures, and install in your bird's cage.

    • 4

      Equip your bird's cage with climbing toys such as chains, ropes and ladders. Your bird will use its beak to play with these climbing toys and self-trim its beak in the process.

    • 5

      Offer your bird hard food items to chew on. Include items such as chicken bones, ribs or steak bones, cuttle bones, mollusk shells, sugar cane, hard biscuits and nuts.