weird hair-like feathers?

[bug_n_flock]

Alex has had these for years and I never really thought of them as anything but an oddity. But, I have this fabulous resource now so why not ask! Anybody else's birds have weird feathers like these? They are on both sides of his bum and occasionally I pull them off for him. I figure fairs fair, he picks scabs and moles for me.

In fact right now he is picking at a skin tag on my neck. Haha

Ok, I can't seem to attach a photo because the files are too big. But they seem like long underfeathers or something. I'll keep trying to put a photo up. They get long and are very hair like but still clearly are feathers, if that makes any sense.

Sent from phone

 

[clark_conure]

I....... I'm not really sure what you mean be hair like.

try even a low resolution image that might help.

Here's something to make you smile while you work on it.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Omg too cute.

Here, try this...

https://plus.google.com/106856420477525449186/posts/RTip5Pu9zQP

Edit: they look like butt-lassos in this... lol

 

[SailBoat]

First, Parrots have a very special hair that is located under the downy and body feathers and lays between the feathers and the skin. They server a very important propose as they provide a feed-back as to the position of the feathers above and also define (in flight) the presents of high /low or no pressure force upon the feathers (is there lift or no lift present).

Second, you are looking at either something that your Parrot has picked-up, like yawn, string or the like -or- it is a stripe-line from a feather that for whatever reason has developed much more length than normal. With time, it will break-up or simply fall away.

 

[bug_n_flock]

They have been there for years and definitely are attached to him. On occasion I will remove one and they grow back. So you think this is an overgrowth of feather parts? What might cause that you think? Genes, protein or hormone imbalance?


Very interesting about the hair, thanks for sharing that. I have more reading to do.

 

[SailBoat]

The why, I do not know!

There had been several breeders that had been pushing 'unusual' feathering of their Tiels as show birds. But with the fading away of Bird Shows, that had halted. But that does not mean that those Genes are not out there and can and do pop-up from time to time.

Your other points, also have merit, including: diet imbalance, higher levels of protein and /or hormone imbalance. That will require at a minimum a full screen blood testing.

It is worth looking at a full blood screen as part of your next scheduled Vet visit.


FYI: The discussion regarding the hair at body level will require reading much newer Avian Medical sources as there has been a long discussion regarding whether they are hair or a variation of a feather. Its only been the last five or so years that the Avian Community has settled on their been like a Human hair.

 

[bug_n_flock]

I have access to many scientific publications thru my research affiliation; I'll see what I can find.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I was about to agree with Steven ('Boat's) on being a fibre that your guy just picked up,but now that you say they grow back..that's very interesting.





Jim