Is it ok to scratch my cockatiel's pinfeathers?

[Jalascreamo]

I've never really touched my birds before because my budgies never let me touch anything but their feet but for the past few weeks I've noticed jalapeño scratching little shoelace aglet pinfeathers on his head and whenever he scratches them a white dust comes off. My cockatiel is ok with me holding and petting him and when I do scratch his pinfeathers I get get aglet off and it fall off as a white power and was wondering if this ok, it doesn't cause him visible discomfort.

 

[TikkiTembo]

Yep! One of my cockatiel and I's favorite things!

 

[cassiesdad]

Yes, it's a normal thing.

New feathers are coming in...and the white powder you see is the sheath breaking open. Showering helps with the process...does Jalapeno like to get wet?

 

[Jalascreamo]

Yes, it's a normal thing.

New feathers are coming in...and the white powder you see is the sheath breaking open. Showering helps with the process...does Jalapeno like to get wet?

Jalapeño loves to get wet! Thanks for the information!