Pin feather
A pin feather is a developing feather on a bird.[1] This feather can grow as a new feather during the bird's infancy, or grow to replace one from moulting.
The pin feather looks somewhat like a feather shaft. However, unlike a fully developed feather, the pin feather has a blood supply flowing through it; at this stage, it may also be called a blood feather. As such, if the pin feather is damaged, a bird can bleed heavily.[2][3][4][5]
As the pin feather grows longer, the blood supply is concentrated in only the base of the shaft, and the tip of the shaft encases the feather itself in a waxy coating. As moulting birds
When the blood has receded, the term "blood feather" is no longer synonymous with "pin feather" – it can only be referred to as a pin feather.
Growth
Pin feathers begin to develop after the feather bud invaginates a cylinder of
Pet care
During moulting, a bird may get careless and begin to chew its feathers and might accidentally damage a blood feather. To prevent this, it is necessary that the bird is given chewing toys so that it does not chew at its own feathers. Pin feathers are sensitive, and some pet birds do not enjoy being handled while moulting for this reason.[6][7]
To stop bleeding from a pin feather, it is necessary to pluck the feather from its base.[8] Bleeding must be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent too much blood loss. However, this can be difficult for a pet bird owner to do on a larger bird, so it is recommended owners have the necessary tools on hand in a first aid kit. If assistance is needed, the bird should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
References
- ^ Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Weather The Feathers Molting in pet parrots and exotic birds - Birds, Birds, Birds
- ^ Lovette, I. J., & Fitzpatrick, J. W. (Eds.). (2016). Handbook of bird biology. John Wiley & Sons
- ^ Carnaby, T. (2008). Beat about the bush: birds. Jacana Media.
- ^ Jenni, L., & Winkler, R. (2020). The biology of moult in birds. Bloomsbury Publishing.
- ^ Lucas, A. M. & P. R. Stettenheim (1972). Avian Anatomy, Integument. Part I. Agricultural Handbook 362. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C.
- ^ Bleeding - Blood Feathers - Chicken First Aid
- ^ "Pet Care Guide". Saturday, 16 February 2019
- ^ Bleeding Birds
External links
- Media related to Pin feathers at Wikimedia Commons
- Video showing pin feathers on the head of a moulting Alexandrine Parrot