My budgie has red feather quills on its wings. Should I be worried?

Thanks for reaching out about Penny and including pictures. The photos are a bit blurry and a red stain can not be identified. One of the more common causes of red stains, is a broken blood feather and minor bleeding. Most birds will take care of this themselves. If you believe your bird is sick, it is important to take her to a veterinarian. By the time they appear ill, it can be quit advanced. Good luck.

These look like new feathers growing out. New feathers are very well vasculated, ie they carry blood while growing. Here is more information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/broken-blood-feathers-first-aid-and-removal-what-to-do-when/

This could be a broken blood feather on his crest or it may be a minor injury. It is difficult to determine with any certainty in the image provided. You can gently clean the area to better visualize it. Blood feathers are more common on the tail and wings, but he crest can have them too. It depends on the molt stage and where new feather growth is taking place. If it isn't actively bleeding, there is likely no cause for concern.

It could be that the feathers just got bent as they were growing in, however if you are noticing other changes, or are concerned about Coqui's overall health, it is always best to schedule a veterinary exam. They can perform routine bloodwork to check for any nutritional issues and illnesses such as PBFB if you are concerned, or even check for more common problems such as parasites or skin infections, and at least give you some peace of mind regarding it. If he checks out healthy, it could just be a prolonged molt or result of simply being him. Continuing to provide a balanced diet (it seems like you already are), providing plenty of enriching toys to prevent boredom plucking.

It looks like Pretty Boy may be having a reaction to something causing the redness. External parasites such as mites, excessive itching, and rubbing on cage bars may all cause redness or loss of feathers. Infections from bacteria or fungus may also cause feather loss and redness. It is best to have the area looked at by your vet, who can recommend treatment such as a mite medication or antifungal to help the area clear up. It can take some time for the feathers to regrow, so even after treatment it may take a little time for the area to return to normal.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but it could be a spot with new feathers coming in. If the area begins to bleed, worsens, swells or a cyst/blister forms in place of a feather, or it is bothersome to Kiwi, having a vet take a look in person is best. Otherwise, just keeping an eye on the spot for now if Kiwi is otherwise doing well and healthy is best.

Thanks for reaching out about Chipper and including photos. You should monitor the growth of the next feather from that follicle. If it grows in rotated, there is a chance this might be a persistent problem. Then a veterinary visit is recommended to diagnose the condition, which might include blood work, a nutrition discussion and possible follicle biopsy. Often times it is a one time problem, where the feather was tweaked in the follicle and grew in abnormal. Good luck.