How to Trim Tail Feathers

Bird Tail Feathers

The main reason that people cut the tail feathers of birds is that it hampers the birds' flight similar to the way that cutting the wing feathers does. When done right, this causes no pain to the bird. Many birds have two sets of tail feathers: the ones that are seen all the time and the ones that are only seen while flying. It is best to cut the feathers that are only seen while flying so that the bird remains attractive.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pedicure scissors
• Blood stopper

Securing the Bird

1. Positioning the Bird grey falcon-parakeet image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com

   Put the bird on a birch outside its cage but in a secure area. Approach the bird from behind.

2. Identifying the Feathers parrot image by Mariusz Blach from Fotolia.com

   Birds have two sets of tail feathers: there is a collection of feathers in the middle of the behind and a collection of smaller hidden feathers to either side. These smaller side feathers are the ones you want to remove.

3. Selecting the Feathers lack feather macro image by .shock from Fotolia.com

   One side at a time, carefully spread these feathers and hold them in the spread position.

4. Parts of the Feather feather image by Dwight Davis from Fotolia.com

   Notice that the feathers have different parts: the long tube-shaped part that comes out of the bird is called the quill and the part where fuzz is on the quill is called the barb.

5. Cutting the Feathers scissors image by Nedda from Fotolia.com

   Clip off these spread side feathers, one at a time, at least 1 cm after the quill becomes barb. Clipping the feather too close to the bird will cause bleeding, so it is better to error on the side of caution.

6. The Other Tail Feathers colorful cockatiel image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com

   Now start on the other side following steps 3 to 5.

Tips & Warnings

• In case you cut a feather too close to the bird and it begins to bleed, use blood stopper to stop the bleeding.

• If blood stopper does not stop the bleeding caused by an accidental cut or your bird appears to be going into shock, keep the animal warm and take it to an avian vet immediately.

References

• Global Fly Fisher: The Nature of Feather Construction