cockatiels wing keeps bleeding

Question
Mr Abbott,

I have a cockatiel of about 14 years old, purchased as a baby from a pet shop. His wings were clipped already and have never been clipped or trimmed since. Yet he cannot fly, and one wing is still short.

Sometimes he leaps off his cage or off my shoulder and lands awkwardly on the floor. If his wing tip hits the floor, it always bleeds. Does this mean his actual wing (bone or flesh) was cut off when he was originally clipped? It bothers me to see him bleed. Can anything be done to help him.

Thanks, Carolyn

Answer
Hi Carolyn,
 A wing clipping should have only included non-blood feathers and since they grow back regularly, a clipping needs to be done about 2-3 times a year.  

 It sounds like this bird has either a deformity with his wings or someone did more than a "clipping" when he was a baby.  

 Yes, I suspect that they maimed him and cut into his bone.

Unfortunately there's no way around it.  All you can do is try to avoid letting him jump off, which I have no doubt you've been trying to do.   Other than that, be sure you get the bleeding stopped quickly when it happens.  Using regular corn starch  dabbed on the wound should be effective.

 Keep up the good work with this little guy.

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