Aussie Finch Forum

It really does look like a deformity. One way to get the bird to "self file" the beak if it gets overgrown is to give it seed on a concrete stepping stone and as it eats it will keep the beak worn down. Sounds strange but it has worked for me with some pigeons and doves with overgrown beaks. Always supplying grit and cuttlebone will also help. Clipping and filing may be needed but can be stressful for such a small bird and bleeding can be a problem if it is cut too closely.

Coincidence maybe bit I recently bought cement bricks to raise the water bowls up off the ground a bit , the Emblemas now often will wipe their beaks on the bricks for some reason.

Is this self filing ? Might help your bird a bit .


75c each from Bunnings , worth a shot hey .,

Tintola wrote:give it seed on a concrete stepping stone

Good point Tintola, and Deb you are more than likely right, if they are doing it more than once. I guess in the wild they have access to various abrasive surfaces.

Also in the wild many finches are picking up dry seed from gravelly or sandy ground, thus keeping the ever growing beak filed down.

My finches rub there beak on stuff all the time. An how meny painted finches do you have deb?

Hi All,
The bird has been fledged for about 2 weeks, Parents are still feeding it most of the time, It,s slowly starting to feed itself !!
It seems healthy enough, But its a loner, Seem,s to stick to itself a lot.
Don,t know, i will monitor it and see how it goes !!
I won,t be using the " Angle Grinder " just yet !!

Cheers Freddy

No angle grinder, but a nail file or dremel tool with a fine sanding head will do the trick and make bleeding less likely than just cutting it with nailclippers/scissors.

Hi All ,
Thanks for the advice from everyone, I've managed to clip the bottom beak back almost level with the top one,
I used a nail clipper and had no problem's, no bleeding at all, i might use a Dremel to touch it up later on
Thanks again for the advise !!

Cheers Freddy

I dont have the answer, but I do have the same problem, 4 out of 5 gouldian chicks have fledged and are normal, I checked on the last one, small and with a closer look, the upper part if beak seems to be stunted and lower part is normal. Parents are still feeding it but not sure if it is getting enough. I dont know if I should intervene and give extra food or let nature take its course, any suggestions?

Check that there is no "muck" caught in the beak, this can also cause deformity if not removed. Using a blunt matchstick is the best for removal if needed. Otherwise, let nature take it's course.