Losing a flight feather

[patch]

Generally, will a bird be okay if he loses just one of their flight feathers? Just tonight I caught Pepper preening one (no blood in it thankfully, and he hadn't taken any falls or gotten caught as far as I noticed) and I was a little worried about how he'll be when he tries flying. When I got him from his previous owner, I found out his wings had been clipped very short, so there's also that to take into consideration. He's already taken off once and he fluttered to the ground like he usually does, no spiral fall.

He seems to be okay, I just want to know if I should be worried or if it's something to keep an eye on and address if something bad starts happening.

 

[Parrotmamma]

Pepper will be fine , my GCC does that from time to time she lost a tail feather the other day .It's totally natural : )

 

[JamesC]

Perfectly normal and nothing to be concerned about. Even if he loses 2 or 3 he should be fine. They compensate for missing feathers in how they fly and quickly learn their wings are working differently. The replacement will be grown in a couple of weeks and will probably look a little odd sticking out from the wing by itself until he grows in a few more new ones.

And it is normal for them to shed the occasional feather and play with it. My blue crown Tootsie will play with one of her's for an hour or more. And if I am holding one, she wants it and she wants it...right...now!

 

[patch]

Awesome, thanks so much. I don't mind him playing with his feathers so much as I mind him losing some and potentially getting hurt.