Crusty cheek on my hahns macaw

[MrDarcy]

I noticed that my hahns had an off white crusty substance on his cheek. At first I thought it was food and when I moistened it,it came off. I was stroking his head and I felt it again. It seems to be at the base of a clump of feathers. It does not seem painful as he tolerates me scratching at it. In hand site he has been lift his foot and rubbing that area.

So my concern is I went on holidays in March and took him to a bird sitter. The woman had not told me till I arrived heading for the airport that she had 5pet chickens and a bunch of nesting lovebirds Against my better judgement I left my two birds with her. I do have a vet I can take him too and I plan to by the end of the week. I was just wondering if anyone has seen this

His appetite is good and his dropping are normal and his feathers in great condition

Thanks
Marlies

[Wolf]

Can't be sure with this limited information and no pics but it sounds an awful lot like scaley face mite to me. You need to get him to the vet asap.

[Pajarita]

Yes, it's impossible to tell without actually seeing it but I would suspect scaly face.

[MrDarcy]

Thank you bith for your responses. It doesn't seem to be a problem with his beak. I am going to take him in to the vet this week. I'll let you know how it goes

[Wolf]

Scaly face starts as a small white crusty area at the base of some feathers, usually near the beak. Since the mites burrow it can become difficult to eliminate and can cause among other things a deformation of the beak. The sooner it is treated the better.
Thank you for taking him to the vet. Will await the vets diagnosis.