Lovebird has tiny spiky feathers which cause pain when touched.?

Question

My lovebird has little tiny spiky feathers around his head (less than ten), you cant see them but you can feel them underneath the softer feathers. Whenever I touch them my bird winces and pulls back as if to be in pain. He is about 6 months old. What is it and why is it hurting him?

I this why he has been very vicious for the last 2 weeks? He has been biting and attacking, its unusual for him...will it pass?

Answer 1

Oh how fun. Your birdie is molting! This is a time when birds shed all of their feathers and grow new ones. It tends to make them a bit irratable. Also, since your lovie is pretty young, he is probably going through a lot of hormonal changes, which will definatly make him more irratable.

The little spikes are called "pinfeathers." When feathers grow from a bird's skin, they are covered in a thin sheith. That outer layer is pulled off when your bird preens other parts of his body, like wings, tail, etc. But he can't reach his head to preen it! And this is very uncomfortable, as pinfeathers are said to be itchy and sensitive to birds.

Here is how you can help you lovebird. In the wild, one lovebird will approach another and duck his head, as an invitation for the other bird to take the coverings off his pinfeathers. Perhaps your bird has been ducking his head to you, as if he wants to be petted. If not, don't worry. He is still young, and probably unsure of how to relieve his discomfort.

All you have to do is take a pinfeather between two fingertips and roll it gently between them. The outer covering will flake off. Your bird might think this feels a little weird, especially at first, but he will learn soon that it is good for him and will relieve his itchyness. Taking the sheith off doesn't hurt your bird, but be carefull not to pull the feathers out or anything like that.

Extra patience is always needed when birds are molting. They get louder and crankier because of extra hormones and the difficulty of pinfeathers. It is so great that you notice these changes and are willing to help your lovebird!

Answer 2

They're called Pin Feathers, and caused by getting new feathers in
I've been reading about Quakers pin feathers and every article i've read says Giving them baths, or letting them take one more often will help that hard parts come off easier/ faster
So if your bird likes taking baths encourge him/her to take a cpl more a week

Answer 3

I agree that you can gently roll the feathers between your fingers to remove the itchy keratin sheath that is surrounding the new feather, HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE, that if the feather still has a blood vein going in it, do NOT touch it. If a bird does happen to get a broken pin feather try to pull it out ASAP to stop the bleeding. Another tip is to use flour to staunch the blood flow if it does happen.

If the feather is ready to come out of the sheath, though, your bird should love the extra attention (just be ware that the feather is probably still fairly sensitive at the skin level) of getting that sheath removed.

Answer 4

You're little birdie has pin feathers. They're very sensitive and it should pass as the pin feathersget bigger. When they do get bigger, they will will be less sensitive, you can rub the pin feathers GENTLY and that will help the sheathe to come off and will make the bird feel better

Answer 5

Its normal. He's moulting.
The hard covering will wear off, and the pretty new feathers will come out. Just give him a little time--he'll be miserable for a week or two.
I had a conure and he did this too..

Answer 6

Those are brand new feathers coming in! And yes...they are very sensitive. Just let them be and pretty soon they will open up into beautiful new feathers.

Answer 7

all birds molt, mine lets me pick his I just gently rub my fingernail up and down the covering until the feather is uncovered, this is basically what they do when they preen themselves

Answer 8

don't touch them for now