Clinical Technique: Imping in Birds

Birds often are presented with damaged flight feathers to veterinary practices that treat avian species. Pet birds will have traumatized, self-damaged, or diseased feathers. Additionally, damaged flight and/or tail feathers are regularly diagnosed in injured or debilitated free-ranging birds. In many cases in which feather damage is diagnosed, imping of the damaged feathers is an easy technique one may use to restore the flight capability of the bird, thereby decreasing the time needed for rehabilitation. The techniques for imping damaged bird feathers are described in detail along with the risk factors associated with this corrective procedure.