Beak Rubbing

[tobiask190]

My female gouldian finch seems to rub her beak a lot on the perches and sits on the perches puffed up. Even though it might have been some time after she ate, she would still rub her beak. Is this normal? (Oh, and she's still molting at this time.)

[Icearstorm]

tobiask190

It sounds like she could have mites. Check her beak for odd-looking deposits, which would indicate scaly face mites, and check her breathing for clicking, which is common with air sac mites. S76, SCATT, and Ivermectin all treat mites.

[tobiask190]

Icearstorm
Thank you!
Oh, and how do I check her breathing for clicking?

[Icearstorm]

tobiask190

Catch her and hold her up to your ear and you should be able to hear (just be careful; she might bite).

[tobiask190]

Icearstorm
Okay. Though, is there any other way to do it without stressing the birds or is it the only way?

[Icearstorm]

tobiask190
You might be able to hear the clicking without picking her up, but it probably won't be as easy to hear. So if you can hear clicking without picking her up, start treatment, but if not, hold her next to your ear to make sure her breathing is okay.

[tobiask190]

Icearstorm
Sorry for the late reply. Got done with one of my college apps xD. I didn't hear any clicking in their breathing.

[wildbird]

She's probably just aggravated by the molt. I think they normally go through a hard molt.