Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a parakeet that has what seems as a fungus on his nose around her eyes and on her feet. When we got her we noticed i small spot but didn't think much of it. Now it is worse and we are concerned that the our other bird will get this. Please help if you can tell me what to do and it could be that would be great.

Well if it started out as "hole looking" and has gotten worse, it sounds like scaly face mites (called several different names but is a mite that burrows into the nares and feet). There are several things that people "try" to use to treat them over the counter but they do not work. The only way to cure it is to go to a vet and get medication (an actual avian vet).

This is highly contagious and WILL spread to other birds that you already have if not treated soon (if it hasn't already spread).

After saying that, I am not a vet and even thought my guess would be the mites there may be another cause. Either way it needs treated by a true avian vet!

Thanks for the information. I actual did try what the bird book said. It said to put vasoline around the beak and on the feet. She actual looks 100% better and is acting like her normal self. I am still going to take your advice and take them into the vet as soon as possible. Thanks again for the hope. Joanna and Melanie

Yes the suggestions in books will help but will not cure. I am glad you will be seeing a vet. Basically the vaseline suffocates the living mites but leaves behind all their eggs to hatch. The eggs hatch so quickly and they reproduce so quickly that even by using daily treatments of the vaseline it is just a delay tactic. The bird will look better and be fine for a short time but the eggs will just keep hatching, producing more eggs etc until a real cure is used.

I am glad your bird is doing better though and look forward to hearing an update after a vet is seen