Beak Deformation in Crested Caracara (Caracara cheriway), Treatment and Recovery

Abstract

This is a report of a crested caracara with a bill deformation. The bird was received by Rosy Walther zoo in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The abnormality did not allow the bird to feed normally considering that the maxillary beak measured 12.5 cm and the mandible beak 5.5 cm. The specific cause of the abnormality was not identified. The bird was kept illegally as a pet and usually, in these feeding conditions, what is offered to the bird does not complete their dietary requirements and this can cause this kind of deformations. In order to treat the bill deformation a Dremel tool was used which allowed us to correct the bill size and shape.

Ceiba, 2012. Volumen 53(2):69-72