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FAQ - Health

Our FAQ pages provide a list of questions that are frequently posted on our message board. The answer is a summary of the best advice given in response to the question by our members.

It is recommended that you consult a variety of experts and resources in order to make an informed decision regarding the care of your conure.

What is a blood feather?

Blood feathers, also called "pin feathers," are new feathers that are starting to grow. Since they are actively growing, they need a large blood supply and will bleed if broken, hence the name.

Each blood feather grows from a special area in the skin called a follicle. The feather has an artery and vein that extend up into it from the follicle and nourish the feather. Due to the color of the blood supply, the shaft of a blood feather will appear dark, whereas the shaft of an older feather will be white.

A blood feather has a larger quill (calamus) than a mature feather. A blood feather starts out with a waxy keratin sheath that protects it while it grows. When the feather is mature, the blood supply will recede and the waxy sheath will be removed by the bird. (Editor's note: Thanks to Deb R for this answer.)

My conure is laying eggs. What should I do?

Female birds, when given the right conditions (a good diet, clean environment, and nesting materials), will sometimes lay eggs. They do not need a male bird to lay eggs.

Most experts suggest leaving the eggs until the bird loses interest (usually takes a few weeks), then removing the eggs and any material that may have encouraged her to nest.

It is important that your conure receive an excellent diet if she is laying eggs. This diet should include foods rich in calcium, since she needs the calcium to replenish the calcium her body used to build the egg shell.

The following links may be helpful should your bird lay eggs:

My pet bird laid an egg!

Egg laying affected by light and hormones

Chronic egg laying