What Is Feather “Imping”?
“Imping” is short for “implanting” feathers. Usually, we imp broken wing or tail feathers so a bird can be released as soon as possible, but sometimes we imp feathers to keep adjacent feathers from breaking while a bird is undergoing rehabilitation.
In general, we imp birds of prey (raptors) because it can take over a year for them to naturally molt a broken feather. Rather than keep them in captivity waiting for a molt, we implant undamaged feathers so the bird can return to the wild sooner.
Following a recent thread on a LinkedIn group regarding behavioral issues with an African Grey I got more, well-upset reading that people are giving their birds “all natural homeopathic remedies” with no thought as to the potential short or long-term consequences.
I questioned how this individual knew a certain Bach Flower Remedy was bird safe. Her answer was “I visited the website that sold it and the site stated, “safe for all animals”.
Hello,
My name is Dylen T. and am 13 years old. I’m doing a 4-H project with a bird I have named Dani. Her father is a Peachface Lovebird and her mother is a Fischer Lovebird. She is 5 1/2 years old. Dani was all green with a red/orange face when she hatched.
About a year and a half ago she started losing the blue pigment in her feathers, now she looks almost exactly like her sister, Honey, the Lutino that was hatched in the brood after hers. Dani is doing everything she would normally do like play, eat, drink and bathe. Do you know what could make this happen in a lovebird? I would appreciate any help you can give me with this.
Carina Writes,
I have been following your site on Facebook and receiving your emails for a few weeks now, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to opt out now. I was disturbed by your blog a few weeks back advising owners to clip parrots’ wings, but I understand that is a controversial subject.
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According to author Frank Gill in his book, “Ornithology,” “The avian sense of smell has been traditionally underestimated. Most birds do have small smell centers (olfactory bulbs) in their brain; the bulb tends to be small but is well developed in some birds, especially those that fly and hunt by night.
Hi Angelica
Congratulations on your choice of a Maximilian Pionus Parrot aka Scaly Headed Parrot. Just to note in the wild the species is now considered endangered in its natural habitat and it is listed as a CITES II.