Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Corbin, KY Shown: Before image of Bandit's toe with dead skin on

When I last updated all of you on Bandit's toe... it looked like the above picture, except with that gross dead skin being gone, and new fresh skin showing. At that last post also, it showed only the top skin as the new skin as the bottom skin hadn't fallen off yet. Now, all the dead skin is gone and once that happened, Bandit pulled his quick off.

My friend Patty, upon hearing about this, said she didn't blame him, as having the quick of the nail exposed in the open like it was (even though it had hardened) was painful to a parrot as it isn't meant to act as a nail and it would take time for the new nail to come in and protect it.

When Bandit pulled the quick out, he bled from his toe and we put some quik stop on it but it was nothing out of control by any means and nothing we worried much about. However, with the quick missing he stayed off the foot almost entirely and would bite down hard on me if I held his foot down in my hand (as I do with all my parrots and did to him in habit, but it hurt his foot when I did this so I got bit twice... really hard... as his way of reminding me of his injury.)

What his toe looks like today: 

Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Fayetteville, NC Shown: After image of Bandit's toe with dead skin fallen off and new skin showing (lighter color) as well as new nail coming in, old quick gone 

His attitude finally changed. Ever since he squished his toe, he hadn't acted different at all but once he pulled the quick out, he was a different bird for a few days until his nail began to come in. He would glare, and I could visually tell by looking into his eyes that he was in pain. Aside from him obviously favoring one foot.

We're now just waiting for the nail to come in more and more, and see if it comes in normally. Of course, we'll be keeping you all posted.

I was disappointed when he pulled the quick out, because I thought his toe was looking SO good as a whole, and I had confidence in the nail coming in and protecting it. But Bandit didn't share my view, obviously.

If you want to view some videos taken of Bandit while he was going through his injury process and healing, you can catch a bunch of them on our youtube here.

All other posts related to this injury (in order):

1. All about this squished toe injury
2. Update #1 (1 week, 1 day later)

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.