My Congo male is 14 months Chico he has one long black feather on each wing what are

Cas27 · Apr 24, 2018

Hi guys,
My boy Chico was clipped when I brought him home as a baby. My question is he has grown one long ugly black feather on each wing is this normal and can I cut it?

SailBoat · Apr 24, 2018

No such thing as a long ugly Black Wing Feather on any Parrot that I know!!!

Sounds like a Beautiful long Outer Wing Cutting Feather.

Kiwibird · Apr 24, 2018

Do you have a photo? I would definitely NOT cut them until you identify what they are. Cutting a blood feather (i.e. an immature feather that still has a blood supply) could cause profuse and life threatening bleeding. And IMO, based on the description you've given, these sound like blood feathers.

Cas27 · Apr 25, 2018

Kiwibird said:
Do you have a photo? I would definitely NOT cut them until you identify what they are. Cutting a blood feather (i.e. an immature feather that still has a blood supply) could cause profuse and life threatening bleeding. And IMO, based on the description you've given, these sound like blood feathers.

I don’t know how too post pick. The feathers are not like the others there long and matted kind of looking and the rest of his feathers are beautiful . I was thinking they are blood feathers they look like they don’t belong.

DRB · Apr 25, 2018

All feathers belong otherwise they would not show up. I would highly suggest letting it be.

Kiwibird · Apr 25, 2018

Whatever you do though, leave them be for now. In fact, unless they are bothering your bird or the vet says specifically to remove them for some reason, there is no need to bother them just because they look odd. Do you know how to email photos? If so, I'd suggest emailing them to your vet and get a professional opinion or take the photos into the office and see if they recommend setting up an appointment. It is entirely possible they are just blood feathers or a freak pair of abnormal feathers growing in, but certain medical conditions can also cause feathers to grow in 'deformed' as well. Being a CAG and hearing the feathers appear a bit matted (on such a young bird), out of an abundance of caution I would definitely say consulting the vet is a good call. What all was your bird screened for at their initial wellness exam? Has he been acting normal with a healthy appetite and droppings?

yellowtang · Apr 25, 2018

sounds like normal flight feathers growing back, they probably look long/ black because it was clipped too short in the first place.. others will grow next to it.
as it stands there alone, it's fragile and can get bent or broken until it's protected by other feathers next to it.. my girl was clipped way too short when I first got her. same thing happen when they started to grow back.. they are actually dark grey..
I too say let them be..

bigfellasdad · Apr 26, 2018

Enzo has long black feathers on the end of her wings, not unusual id say. And as said, all feathers are beautiful

To add, why would you want to cut a feather? The birds can manage themselves quite happily.

Cas27 · Apr 26, 2018

bigfellasdad said:
Enzo has long black feathers on the end of her wings, not unusual id say. And as said, all feathers are beautiful To add, why would you want to cut a feather? The birds can manage themselves quite happily.

nope I never said was cutting them I just wanted too know why their so different.

Cas27 · Apr 26, 2018

Kiwibird said:
Whatever you do though, leave them be for now. In fact, unless they are bothering your bird or the vet says specifically to remove them for some reason, there is no need to bother them just because they look odd. Do you know how to email photos? If so, I'd suggest emailing them to your vet and get a professional opinion or take the photos into the office and see if they recommend setting up an appointment. It is entirely possible they are just blood feathers or a freak pair of abnormal feathers growing in, but certain medical conditions can also cause feathers to grow in 'deformed' as well. Being a CAG and hearing the feathers appear a bit matted (on such a young bird), out of an abundance of caution I would definitely say consulting the vet is a good call. What all was your bird screened for at their initial wellness exam? Has he been acting normal with a healthy appetite and droppings?

Oh yes he’s a happy chatty young man very content growin up with my family. I saw a pic of a fully mature Congo and it had many black feathers past the grey ones.

My Congo male is 14 months Chico he has one long black feather on each wing what are

Cas27

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SailBoat

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Kiwibird

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Cas27

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DRB

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yellowtang

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bigfellasdad

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Cas27

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New male CAG of 18 months

shaking feather, head and tail, just wanting to playing

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