Gently lift the flight clear of the under-wing coverts and clip the shaft
(nearest the body) where the feather barbules begin. Be careful not to
clip the coverts. The under-wing coverts are a row of short feathers that
cover the base of the flights on the underside of the wing. ↓
.
A blood feather. Notice the
large swollen shaft. NEVER
cut the soft swollen blood-filled portion of the living blood
feather. ↓
Gently pinch the shaft (starting at the end of the
flight farthest from the body) to make sure the shaft is hard and mature.
The portion of the flight feather where the shaft is HARD and mature can
be clipped to avoid breaking during vigorous play or from an awkward
landing. ↓
