The Red-shouldered Macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis) is the smallest macaw being 30–35 centimetres (12–14 inches) in length. It is not considered to be an endangered species, but wild populations have declined locally due to habitat loss.
And this poor little macaw had broken its beak due to unknown reasons. In reality, many birds will suffer beak injuries during the course of their lives as their upper and lower beaks are vulnerable to trauma and will often fracture as a result. Such injuries are orthopedic in nature.
Some beak injuries result in permanent, disfiguring damage, requiring the bird to eat soft foods for the rest of its life, but other injuries may heal quite well allowing the bird to return to normal beak functioning.
There had been a case when a dentist actually managed to make a dental impression of a healthy beak for a Bald Eagle, reproduced the beak with the same materials used for our teeth and successfully attached the beak thus allowing the Bald Eagle to function normally. Other materials that can be used to rebuild beaks include acrylics (the same material used for artificial nails).
As I have not been to the zoo for a long time, I wonder how is this macaw doing. While the hope that its beak will recover may not seem too high, but remembering how it kept polishing the cage with its broken beak and making noises, my heart really sank with it. I think losing its beak changed not only its food habits, it might really change its whole life.
Source:
Wiki
Avian Web
