What does this mean?

[gerewolf]

My blue fronted Amazon recently began developing a forehead that had what looked like feather nubs on it. I am enclosing a picture, not of my bird but of a similar parrot I found online. This is what his forehead and head looks like. Anyone know what this is?

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Those are quills,or sheathes..new feathers are growing inside,part of the molting process. It can be irritating to the poor birdies..lots of people ( including me) will put those sheathes between your thumb and forefinger and gently rub to help break them to get the new feather out.
Its all a normal process.


Jim

 

[SailBoat]

Your Amazon is molting and those are new feathers coming in on his head. At the moment they are soft and will hurt him if you work them from the wrong direction (back to front of head). With in a week or so, they will become harder and begin to crumb and your Amazon will enjoy your touching them (from the front to the back of the head movements).

Takes a little practice, buy with effort and time you will get the feel. If the cover feels soft, leave it alone!

 

[gerewolf]

Thanks so much. It's good to know this is a normal process. I thought maybe the diet was off or she was feeling some stress.

 

[ToMang07]

Once they stop getting longer and there is no longer any blood in the pins/sheaths, feel free to lightly crush/scrape them so they open, great bonding time with a friendly bird!

 

[jenphilly]

Thanks so much. It's good to know this is a normal process. I thought maybe the diet was off or she was feeling some stress.

Yep headfull of pin feathers. Does your bird allow you to scratch and touch his head freely? If so, once you see him scratching at them with his foot, you can start popping the pin feathers. You can gently press the pin feather and the wax coating will crumble if its dry.

Birds are super itchy thru a molt, so extra bath or spray / misting is usually greatly appreciated!!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Yepppppppppppppp!

The Rickeybird is just "recovering" from a very similar affliction!

Welcome!

Glad you found us!

 

[wrench13]

Wow, thats about the most un-blue fronted blue front I've ever seen! Are you sure that Brooklyn guy was on the level?

 

[SailBoat]

Wow, thats about the most un-blue fronted blue front I've ever seen! Are you sure that Brooklyn guy was on the level?

Love your Humor! LMAO !!!

 

[Kentuckienne]

I'm just learning to do the pin feathers. So far I found that if the feather is still little/new, it hurts if I mess with them. Once the feathery part sticks out enough from the sheath at the base, I can just crush it between thumb and finger - but if I pull on the feather wrong I get a big squawk. They get these all over and preen them off, but they can't reach their own heads. Your bird will be in ecstasy if you take care of them, and you get lots of scratching time.