http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/chicmadamoiselle/budgies002.jpg
You probably can't see this picture very well, but the white parakeet has these pointy feathers on her head, and I have no clue what they are.
2006-10-28 04:20:57 · 8 answers · asked by Rawr! 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
they are called pinfeathers. And the above two people are exactly right!
2006-10-28 06:00:29 · answer #1 · answered by Laurie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is absolutely nothing wrong with her. She's simply growing a fresh set of feathers. The little cases the feathers are rolled up in is made of "keratin", basically the same material as your fingernails. These poke through the skin, and as the feather develops, the feathers case breaks open unleashing the new feather.
Your birds are simply beautiful!
Don't worry about it, it's normal. You might notice some extra dust in your home due to the keratin blowing around everywhere, and you might want to go a bit heavier on the calcium and protein in their diets to help with feather production.
2006-10-28 06:13:29 · answer #2 · answered by Phoenix 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have three parakeets myself and I don't think there is anything wrong with your keet's feathers. Some parakeets have a diffrent texture of feathers and thats just a difference in the breed of your parakeet, so of them have pointy feathers on their heads and others don't. Now, if the feathers are ruffled all over his body and puffed out this may mean that he/she has a cold. (petstores and vets have medinine that comes in a dropper for colds.) But if its just on his head, its nothing to worry about. Monitor it for a few days, check to see if it is sleeping a lot, sneezing etc. If not everything is okay.
2006-10-28 04:28:31 · answer #3 · answered by TennesseeGirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has given you the answer -- new feathers. Not to worry, her cage-mate will preen them open for her since she can't reach them. If you look at them closely and they're blue, those are called blood feathers (or pin feathers), new feathers that are growing in and look like pins. If you touch one she may react in pain as those very new feathers are sensitive. I've posted a site below that addresses cockatiels and blood feathers but it is the same for parakeets.
Adorable birds!
2006-10-28 09:16:24 · answer #4 · answered by silver2sea 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quills... ie, the start of new feathers. All birds molt once or twice a year, when the feathers first start coming back in, they start out looking like quills... the bird will groom and clean, get this outter shell off, make a bit of a mess, and have beutiful new feathers in no time.
2006-10-28 04:30:33 · answer #5 · answered by think_about_this_gr8_1 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I couldn't really see the feathers you were talking about, but it sounds that she is only growing new feathers on her head. Just keep an eye on them, if she starts to loose her feathers, she could be molting or she could have mites.
2006-10-28 07:00:02 · answer #6 · answered by Zodiac_Child 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like they are new feathers. They grow out encased in lanolin. try gently pinching them to see it it powders off. You will find it also makes your hands smooth.
That is the place they cannot reach themreal good and when they use feet they cannot see where they are to break the lanolin case themselves.
I love to grow feathers, see my feather garden at:
http://webpages.charter.net/rjsworld/pages/fam2.htm
I would not worry at all I'm sure that is all it is. Hope this makes you feel a little better.
EDIT! - opps keratin, where oh where was my mind? geez...
2006-10-28 04:33:13 · answer #7 · answered by WingMan 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
true, I can't see the pointy feathers, but perhaps they are just some that she is molting. I wouldn't be concerned about it. (cute birds)
2006-10-28 04:27:00 · answer #8 · answered by wellaem 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋