How to Clip a Zebra Finches Feathers

Zebra finches, small birds that are native to Australia, are a popular pet bird. Zebra finches enjoy being part of a group and often do not socialize well with humans. In addition, finches enjoy flying and prefer to have plenty of space to spread their wings. While clipping your zebra finch's feathers is not necessary in most situations, it is possible to clip your bird's feathers if desired, so long as care is taken to not injure the bird. This can be done with one person, but typically works best when one person holds the finch and the other does the trimming.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel
  • Sharp scissors
  • Needle nose pliers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select an appropriate spot to clip your bird's feathers. The room you choose should be small, well-lit and quiet. If your bird is not already in this area, move its cage to the room before starting to clip its feathers. Gather all your materials and place them in the room as well so you do not have to leave the room once you have begun the process.

    • 2

      Use your towel to catch and wrap up your finch. Take a thick towel and carefully wrap your finch in it, to keep you protected from your bird's beak and claws. Avoid holding your finch too tightly around the chest to allow it to breathe freely and gently hold the back of its head and neck area to prevent it from biting.

    • 3

      Hold your bird on its back and extend its wing. Keep your bird firmly wrapped in the towel and gently extend one of its wings. Identify your bird's primary flight feathers, the first set of long feathers on the wing's underside, and its primary flight covert feathers, the small overlapping feathers above the primary flight feathers.

    • 4

      Carefully cut your zebra finch's feathers. Using the primary flight covert feathers as a guide, trim your bird's primary flight feathers. Cut five to seven flight feathers, leaving the outermost one or two intact for aesthetic reasons. Trim feathers one at a time and inspect each feather before cutting it to avoid snipping blood feathers, those that look waxy and pink with a visible blood vessel in them, which will bleed if cut.

    • 5

      Remove any cut blood feathers. Place your pliers on the feather as close to your bird's skin as possible and grip the feather firmly, removing it carefully with the pliers. Ask your partner to apply counter pressure on the other side of the wing while you remove the blood feather. Once it has been removed, hold pressure on the area for several minutes. If your bird's bleeding does not stop, contact your veterinarian.

    • 6

      Trim the feathers on your finch's other wing. Using the same method, clip the feathers on your finch's other wing. Cut the same number of feathers to help your bird keep its balance. Once you have finished both wings, praise your bird and reward it with a favorite treat to help make the experience a positive one.