Nails and Beak of newly purchased Greenback Twinspot

[a_gouldian]

We just received three pairs of finches from the Finch Farm. The Greenback Twinspots have extra long nails and the female has a beak that looks like it need to be clipped. I have attached a pic of the Female with long nails plus an over grown beak. Is receiving birds like this considered normal and will clipping the nails and the beak take care of the issue?

I think they should have taken care of the clipping on their end before shipping out the birds. We have not clipped nails or beaks before on birds, although I have clipped dog nails in the past.

Thanks, Andy

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

Are these birds banded? How old are they?

I agree, that the people you purchased them from, should have clipped the nails and trimmed the beaks.

Cutting nails, is not difficult, if you are comfortable with catching and holding your birds (?). The beak, is not that hard to do either, but you need to be a little more careful.

Personally, I use nail clippers. I am right handed, so I hold the bird in my left hand, with the bird's back against the palm of my hand, bird foot between forefinger and thumb. When clipping a nail, make sure that you only cut the clear part of the nail, as you don't want to nick a blood vessel. If by some chance you do end up with a bloody toe, use quick stop powder (or if not available, flour or corn starch) to stop the bleeding.

The beak, you need to hold the bird in your hand, with the head held firmly between thumb and finger. You trim the beak very careful a little at a time. Then smooth it with a nail file. Always better too little, rather than too much, as in better safe than sorry.

If you don't feel comfortable doing this, then ask your Vet to show you how to do it.

Gorgeous bird by the way.

[a_gouldian]

a_gouldian

Are these birds banded? How old are they?

I agree, that the people you purchased them from, should have clipped the nails and trimmed the beaks.

Cutting nails, is not difficult, if you are comfortable with catching and holding your birds (?). The beak, is not that hard to do either, but you need to be a little more careful.

Personally, I use nail clippers. I am right handed, so I hold the bird in my left hand, with the bird's back against the palm of my hand, bird foot between forefinger and thumb. When clipping a nail, make sure that you only cut the clear part of the nail, as you don't want to nick a blood vessel. If by some chance you do end up with a bloody toe, use quick stop powder (or if not available, flour or corn starch) to stop the bleeding.

The beak, you need to hold the bird in your hand, with the head held firmly between thumb and finger. You trim the beak very careful a little at a time. Then smooth it with a nail file. Always better too little, rather than too much, as in better safe than sorry.

If you don't feel comfortable doing this, then ask your Vet to show you how to do it.

Gorgeous bird by the way.

None of the finches we received from the Finch Farm are banded, including the previous pair of Red-faced Star Finches we purchased from them. There is a bird and supply store in our area that will do nail and beak trimming for you, so we can take them there. I have no idea how old the birds are.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

I was asking about their age, because usually very young birds, would not have very long nails and beaks.

Great that you have a place to go to get nails and beaks done, so you don't have to worry about it.

Would love to see some more pictures of these kids.

[Sally]

Those birds are most likely wild-caught imports, but I agree, they should have been trimmed before shipping, especially with the beak. That is something that many are not comfortable doing, so why sell one like that.