This can prevent the escape of your bird and protects from free flight into fans, stoves, and other dangers. Check our Advanced Tips Page for tips on feather clipping . Some birds also need to have their beaks trimmed if they become to long. This should always be done by your veterinarian. A great way to bond with your bird is to help them preen their feathers.
Birds have pin feathers which are new feathers that are covered by a thin sheath.
These pin feathers need help coming loose from their sheath. This is what birds are doing when they preen each other. A bird is able to preen most of its feathers by itself, however, when a bird is without a partner, it will need help preening the feathers on its head and neck. This is done by gently squeezing the sheath and rubbing it between your fingers. Do not do this on a pin feather which is a blood feather not fully developed.