FINCHforum

One of my new Orange Cheek Waxbills has a sort of rough looking face, almost like the feathers on the face are wet, and the bird puffs up every once in a while, other wise it seems to be active and generally healthy. I originally thought it to be slight striping in the face but looking closer it seems to be just rough- is this indicative of anything I should be concerned about? The other waxbill has a very smooth face, in a nice consistent orange patch.

How long have you had your new bird, and is it in with your others yet??

Could it be at some stage of molt? Any pin feathers?

Hilary

Any chance you can post a picture? That would be very helpful.

Thanks for the responses. I've only had these two waxbills for about a week- only them two in the cage. I'm kinda new at this so I'm not sure what pinfeathers look like, or what pre-molting would seem like. These birds are tiny and active, so it's kind of hard to see exactly whats happening in the face region. The bird does seem healthy, and it hasn't really changed appearence in the past week. It almost seems like there were tears that dried up, kinda like some dogs get around the fur by their eyes. I'm not sure if birds even tear, but that's what it looks like. As soon as I find my digi camera (my kids made it dissappear) I'll snap a shot.

Hard to say without a pic, but I don't like the sound of it.

sounds like sacly face mite to me but the moisture bit is a bit confusing...a pic would be better

ken

thanks, trying to get a pic up as soon as possible