How to Trim a Bird's Wings

Trimming a bird's wings allows him to flutter to the ground
safely'but not fly out the window.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Styptic Powders
• Eyebrow Tweezers
• Sharp Scissors
• Sharp Scissors
• Needle-nose Pliers
• Needle-nose Pliers

1. Have a veterinarian show you how much to trim the first time, and take notes so you'll know how to trim the feathers on your own. The amount to trim depends on the strength and body weight of the bird.

2. Have someone assist you in restraining the bird.

3. Examine all feathers of the wing.

4. Look for emerging feathers, which have blood in the shafts (see Tips). These feathers should never be cut.

5. Locate the primary feathers on each wing. These feathers start at the leading edge of the wing and are followed by secondary and tertiary groups of feathers.

6. Use scissors to cut the primary feathers on each wing, just behind the protective coverts (small feathers) overlying the flight feathers. You may want to cut just one or two feathers a day until you see a sufficient reduction in flying ability.

7. If you cut or damage a blood feather, pluck it out at the base with tweezers or needle-nose pliers to stop the blood loss.

8. Be sure to clip both wings evenly, as clipping only one may leave the bird unbalanced.

Tips & Warnings

• Newly emerging feathers, called 'blood feathers,' have soft, dark shafts that contain a nourishing blood supply. When the feather is completely grown in, the blood supply is closed off and the shaft turns hard and whitish. These are the feathers you can trim.
• Having wings clipped is painless for the bird, much like having your hair or fingernails cut.
• Cutting secondary feathers may cause the bird to fall straight down rather than flutter to the floor.

[Evzone]

on 3/11/2008 For me clippers are better and safer to use than scissors.

And look out for those hungry cats and playful dogs! Newly trimmed birds are helpless since they can't fly. ^_^
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Mulawin▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

[Evzone]

on 3/11/2008 For me clippers are better and safer to use than scissors.

And look out for those hungry cats and playful dogs! Newly trimmed birds are helpless since they can't fly. ^_^
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Mulawin▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

[kmatatics]

on 3/5/2007 You NEVER pluck a bloodfeather with tweezers! Tweezers will cut the bloodfeather near the base, and then you won't be able to get it out! You only use hemostats or needle nose pliers!

on 11/22/2005 Remember that even with wings trimmed birds can fly. Do not take them unrestrained outside.

on 11/22/2005 If bleeding occurs during trimming of nails and/or beak, you can use flour in the absence of styptic powder. If will stop bleeding as well.