Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a blue and gold Macaw that is about 8 months old and his tail is an absolute wreck from playing rough and from him pacing the floor of his cage in the morning when its feed time.

I looked in some macaw websites and it doesn't say anything.

It is better not to clip the tail and let it molt naturally. I really haven't had that question before since birds will usually molt their tail feathers every 6 mos to a year I am guessing most just wait for it to happen naturally and that is why it hasn't been addressed on forums. Since feathers do have a blood flow to them in the beginning it can be hard on longer more developed tail feathers to tell when the blood flow has stopped and unless you are really careful can cause problems and major bleeding if cut while there is a blood flow.

So after rambling my simple answer is I really wouldn't suggest it.