Feathers, after they fell out ...

[jessica313]

yes exactly crystal!!!! i feel the same way

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

Glad I'm not alone. Crystal

[bekfreak]

I still have my cockatiel's tail feather's in a little vase, and I put Bella's first two molted tail feathers away with all of my coins.

[Irish]

So far, molted feathers wing or tail feathers go in a vase, and the smaller ones in a sealed plastic bag. Ceilidh's first clip wingtips are in their own separate sack, awaiting me getting off my duff and making his baby book.

[Lisa B]

I used to give out the feathers when I would hold seminars for kids at schools and scout events. I used to go to school with my birds to teach kids how to properly take care of them. It was usually around the time in school they were studing the rain forest. They got a kick out of them. I have saved certain ones for decorations, such as in a frame with his picture(Sampson)
Emma and Sydney's first moult....

Once I was no longer going to schools, I often gave my collections of feathers to an indian chief that was at a powwow. He used them for ceremonial idols and decorations.

I also have a dream catcher in my car that holds, Sampson's, Otis' ,Polly's and Harley's tail feathers. Needless to say its a nice reminder of my past fildren since Harley is the only remaining one.

[felisdomesticus]

I posted this awhile ago but it's worth repeating:

Saving YOUR parrot feathers can help keep parrots in their native lands

Jonathan E. Reyman, Ph.D. who runs The Feather Distribution Project gave a presentation to some of our volunteers and we want to share that information with you. The people of South America, Indonesia, and other lands are often so poor that they try to smuggle parrots out of the country to earn a living. 90% of these birds die in transport. The methods of capture and transfer are extremely barbaric and the birds suffer tremendously before their ultimate death. The few that do survive are usually physically and emotionally traumatized. Sometimes if a parrot is captured for its feathers it is not smuggled, but the feathers are plucked instead of allowing them to be molted naturally. We understand that this is very disturbing information to be disseminating, but we can all help keep parrots free in their native homes and prevent this from happening by saving ALL our parrot feathers. Please see the Feather Distribution Project's website at http://www.wingwise.com/feather.htm for more information.

Native American Indians use feathers for their traditional religious ceremonies and that contributes to the demand for parrot feathers which is one reason parrots are so cruelly smuggled. Feathers from all species are useful but Macaw feathers are especially desired by the American Indians. Dr. Reyman said that since this project has been giving feathers to the Native American Indians (free of charge) that the price for a center macaw feather has gone down from $75 to about $25. But the demand for these feathers is still there. They can even take feathers with broken shafts and cut feathers as shown on his website and all feathers over an inch in size can be put to good use. So please save them all, even cut wing feather feathers! They can also use turkey feathers, for those of you out there that know turkey hunters.

If you know of anyone that has a parrot, please spread the word. Feathers can be mailed to:

Dr. Jonathan E. Reyman
Illinois State Museum Research & Collections Center
1011 East Ash Street
Springfield, IL 62703-3535
(217) 785-0069
reyman@MUSEUM.STATE.IL.US

Many people toss away their feathers because they don't know what to do with them. By doing this, we can help to keep the wild parrots in their native lands where they belong. (from http://www.wingsofhope-nj.com/feathers.html)

http://www.wingwise.com/feather.htm

[Darlie]

Nancy, that wreath is stunning! What a fabulous idea!

[Lisa B]

Thanks for the info Jill!

[Tiki]

My birds are all molting and there are feathers everywhere! I snag them if I can get to them before they are pooped on. We are saving them for the next time we make hula costumes.

[Maui's Mom]

Thanks for the info about the indians, I thought that was a tale someone was telling me, but i see that it is true. What a wonderful way to contribute back.. TY