i just noticed that my grey has a feather hanging that he keeps trying to pull out and it seems to be hurting him... Idk what its called but its the longest one on the wing that crosses in the back... we havent had him long so he doesnt trust us enough to let me help him. is it dangerous? will he get it out himself? Ive been reading about blood feathers breaking and its got me scared, but hes not molting so its not a blood feather is it?
broken feather
- Thread starter geneisgod
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birdiemomma
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Could you snap a picture of it so that we can help you identify it? If you are not sure it is always best to drop by the avian vet to double check. My avian vet is great and will look at her for little things like that for no charge 
Usually it is the vet tech that checks her out but they all have birds too
Usually it is the vet tech that checks her out but they all have birds too - Thread Starter
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Ill try to get a pic of it... you cant really see it though until he raises his wing. If he doesnt pull it out tonight ill try to get him to a vet tomorrow, but thats another issue. He is still afraid of us so idk how im going to get him in his carrier to get him there. i dont want to use a towel and scare him more than he already is. any suggestions on how to do that?
birdiemomma
New member
When I got Bella she was very, very tame & attached to me immediately... But one thing we did was play "towel games".. basically we played peek a boo etc.. with the towel. Unfortunately you will not be able to do so. Bella had a tail feather that was "hanging" for a good week and a half and it finally came out on its own.. I do not recommend you trying to pull it out (they could bleed to death). The best way to go about the situation would be to be calm, quiet, and talk him/her through the process. After you purchased the bird did you take it for a check up with an avian veterinarian?
birdiemomma
New member
You will definitely want to take him in anyways then. Birds tend to generally hide their illness until it is too late. Having an avian veterinarian check him/her out would be very useful & helpful. Where are you located?
Crazy4Birds
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- Oct 20, 2010
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- Parrots
- Nicky (sun conure); RIP Gracie (senegal) and Benson (cockatiel)
It sounds like a flight feather. It will eventually fall out or he will pull it out. I suggest using a towel for getting him into a carrier. I know that a lot of people are against using towels but if you want to keep all your fingers it is essential. It is also easier to handle your bird by preventing him from trying to fly away while putting him in the carrier.
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- #9
yea the towel would work im sure but im afraid that using that will put us back to square one with the trust issue...
Crazy4Birds
New member
- Oct 20, 2010
- 238
- 0
- Parrots
- Nicky (sun conure); RIP Gracie (senegal) and Benson (cockatiel)
Maybe bribe him with a tasty treat afterward!
i was in a similar position, had first vet appointment schedueled and couldnt figure out how to get this large bird into the carrier~ called vet and told them of my dilema, they suggested a "T" perch, but he would go on one....finally realized that his play gym's perch had a screw holding it in place, so i got it out, he went on it, i unscrewed it, slid it out of the tube and he went right into the crate...good luck!
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- #12
He will step up for us when hes not on the cage so we tricked him to the floor then got him from there to the carrier... my wife took him to the groomers today and they got the feather out for us... im in the process of trying to find an avian vet close to my home now.
