Cockatiel Beak Bruising

Question
My mother received a cockatiel that she got from a friend who found it in her yard.  It is a male cockatiel, and is very smart but has some peculiar behaviors.  What concerns us is that he bangs his beak on his food dish.  At first we didn't take it too seriously, however his beak seems to be bruised now.  Is this dangerous to him?  Do you know what is causing him to do this?

Answer
Hello Jennifer,

Birds do bang their beaks on objects just for the fun of it. Also as a threat to display aggression.

I'm not sure what you are describing as the beak being bruised. Beaks only have a limited blood supply in the center. Most of the beak has no blood supply and therefore can not be bruised.

If you feel your bird is injured, sick, or suffering in any way then you need to make an appointment with your avian veterinarian.

Jennifer
www.feathersandscales.com