Why does my cockatiel have black stuff on its nostril? Is it sick?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Cockatiels occasionally can form rhinoliths, which are small accumulations of debris and mineral. These are harmless but can clog the nares and result in trouble breathing. They can be carefully removed by a veterinarian. Other causes can be a fungal or bacterial infection which can be treated by antibiotics prescribed by your vet. I hope this helps and am happy to look at any photos or answer any questions you may have!

Thanks for reaching out about Hadi and including photos. There appears to be a wound lateral to the nostril. Could she have flown into something and hurt her head? The other possibility is self trauma due to a sinus infection which could be bacterial or fungal. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Not sure what you are referring to by "something up her nose", but they do have a piece of flesh called the operculum, within the nare. Exposure to a steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes could moisturize the sinus passages. Good luck.

Without seeing a photo it is hard to say what you are describing. Cockatiels do have a normal crease in between nostrils which is what you may be seeing. However, some growths such as fungal or tumorous growths can appear there as well. If the area is rapidly changing, or Woody is showing any signs of illness such as refusal to eat or drink, listless behavior, etc, having a vet take a look is best.

This could be a sign of sinusitis, ie an infection of the sinuses caused by bacteria, a virus or a fungus. In countries with low humidity, this could also be a cause, however "heat" alone is not one. Some cockatiels also play with their nostrils and pick on them with their feet, This can also cause bloody discharge. However I do strongly suggest you take Rio to a veterinary doctor for an exam as a possible infection will need treatment. Here is a list of Avian vets in Chennai: https://www.lybrate.com/chennai/doctors-for-treatments-for-birds You can also take him to the veterinary college hospital: http://www.tanuvas.tn.nic.in/hospital_mvc.html

This is not at all normal and I would recommend seeing a vet immediately, especially if it has happened more than once. Injury to the face or nasal passages, respiratory problems, disease, illness, nutritional issues, something stuck in the nose, etc can all be possible causes, and seeking vet care ASAP is best to determine the problem. If Sunny is housed with any other birds, it would be best to move her to a separate hospital cage with easy access to food and water to prevent being picked on by other birds until you can get into your vet.

Ouch! It looks like there may be a fungal infection or growth of some sort that is blocking the nostrils. If current medications haven't helped, another trip to the vet to have a sample taken and sent to a lab for testing, as well as having your vet flush out the nostrils may make it easier for John to breathe and help get him feeling better. In the meantime, keeping the nose as clean and free of debris as you can at home may make it easier for him to breathe.

The signs that you are describing are consistent with material in her upper airways (i.e. her nose). This material may be just be normal build up that can occur over time, or it could be due to an underlying infection. To help with this at home, you can try giving her baths, as this may moisten up the material to make it easier for her to get out. Baths can be provided by taking her into the bathroom with you while you take a steaming shower, or you can mist her with a spray bottle (don't spray her directly, just spray over the top of her and let the water droplets fall on her like rain). I didn't see you mention how old she was, but sometimes it is harder for older birds to expel material from their noses because of decreased mobility in their legs/feet. They use their toes to "pick" their noses, so if they have arthritis or another reason for a decrease in mobility, this can be hard for them. If this doesn't not improve the situation, or if you notice a decrease in activity, appetite, or weight, I would recommend taking Luna to a veterinarian. To monitor her weight at home, you can purchase a digital gram scale (found in the kitchen section of most department stores) - weigh her every other day to every day if possible. At the veterinarian, they would perform an examination of Luna, and could collect some of the material to evaluate under the microscope to look for abnormal cells or excessive bacteria. They may also flush her nose and collect that material to look for any possible infections. Please do not try to flush her nose on your own at home, as you may risk drowning her. Depending on what is found, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatories as well. Please do not give Luna any human medications, as many of these can be harmful to our feathered friends. For options for veterinary clinics, there appear to be some that state that they see birds in the Austin area, so that may be an option for you? You can also find avian veterinarians in your area by using the AAV website. I hope that gives you a place to start!