Scaly foot

Scaly foot is caused by burrowing mites, Knemidokoptes pilae (or K. mutans ), which attack the skin area around the eyes and beak and also, in serious cases, the legs and toes. These little archnoidal parasites burrow into the outer layers of the skin, in which they lay their eggs. If untreated, the resulting rough, scaly growths will gradually increase, and severe deformities of the beak can occur.