Reply #2: part of it must be an artifact of reporting [View All]

[amazona]

If I had known that anyone was collecting beak deformity data, I could have filed a report this summer. I can promise you that there are a lot more beak deformities in the Lower 48 than 12 birds but if you don't know of anyone collecting the data, why would you document it?

Most overgrowth of beaks I've seen has been caused by mites. It can be treated but it's probably problematical to do so in wild birds.

Me, I'd test for mites first, but assuming this is the first thing they would have thought of, I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it is less unusual than they fear.