small feathers

[20brio19]

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.

 

[munami]

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]

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!

 

[20brio19]

Thanks, this is reassuring. Interesting too.