Pin feathers or blood feathers?

[Pilaf]

I notice that Echo has quite few prickly feathers on his head and neck. I help him out with those unless he lets me know not to. But some are still quite dark on the shaft (partially) or they are very small. Are those blood feathers?
I don't find it easy to tell the difference between pin feathers and blood feathers.

 

[plumsmum2005]

It is one and the same, it is necessary to wait for the blood supply to recede to help Echo with those pins. It is the ones that are not ready yet that he is telling you to 'not help' him out with. The darkness in colour indicates the blood supply is still there.

Wait till they are a bit longer and you will be fine.

 

[clark_conure]

what plumsmum said

 

[Pilaf]

Thank you both

 

[Skidood]

It is one and the same, it is necessary to wait for the blood supply to recede to help Echo with those pins. It is the ones that are not ready yet that he is telling you to 'not help' him out with. The darkness in colour indicates the blood supply is still there.

Wait till they are a bit longer and you will be fine.

Great info. My Coco always wants me to rub her head and neck. I assumed she wants me to help out with her feathers .... because I do it so much she has no pin feathers. I always feel what feels little sharp bumps towards the back of her head. She also rubs her own head into the end of a perch in her cage, every morning upon getting up.

 

[T00tsyd]

Syd offers me his head and rolls it around until I find the one he wants me to deal with. If I find the wrong one he squeaks to say 'don't touch!' If it's the right one he goes very still and shuts his eyes in bliss and has taught me that the ones that are ready, break really easily and flake like dandruff all over me. He then scratches the rest of it out and offers me the next one It's quite a comical performance but very sweet particularly as I seem to be getting the hang of it.