This portion is visible in birds with clear or whitish colored nails as a pink line, decreasing in size the closer to the tip of the nail. Each nail should be cut individually by holding the toe gently. Examine each toe for bleeding after you have released the toe. Rapidly growing nails which require frequent trimming may be a sign of a more serious metabolic problem and should be examined by a veterinarian. Sandpaper covered perches are strongly discouraged because they do not wear down the nail.
Birds perch with the base of their foot, wrapping the toes around a perch.
The nails rarely come into contact with the perch and the constant irritation of sandpaper on the base of the foot may cause calluses or blisters.