small feathers

20brio19

Member
Jul 9, 2019
75
42
Parrots
Blueheaded Pionus-born May 2019
My 11 week old Pionus did have these small fluffy loose white feathers since I got him a month ago though I've been told by the breeder that this is normal due to their grooming at that age and nothing to worry about. It's still something I'm keeping my eye on because they're increasing at times. Most of it is on his belly, a couple on his head. So just wondering about this.
 

Attachments

  • IMG-20190718-WA0005.jpg
    IMG-20190718-WA0005.jpg
    200.6 KB · Views: 116

munami

New member
Apr 13, 2019
223
4
Ottawa, ON
Parrots
Luna // F // Whiteface Pearl Cockatiel
Those look like downy feathers to me. Young birds especially have more to help trap in the heat. When ruffled around, sometimes they overlap their normal feathers. It looks like your Pionus is molting them.
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,669
10,061
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
As so well stated above, downy feathers are seen everywhere on babies and as stated, they keep the baby warm. As the outer body feathers fill-in, downy feathers exist in the same volume below those feathers. As the Parrot fills in all of the body feathers, the Parrot will adjust the number of downy feathers based on local weather change. Adding downy feathers as it cools and dropping downy feathers as it becomes warmer.

Nothing to worry about!
 
OP
20brio19

20brio19

Member
Jul 9, 2019
75
42
Parrots
Blueheaded Pionus-born May 2019
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4
Thanks, this is reassuring. Interesting too.
 

Most Reactions

Top