Imping
Impingis the practice of replacing a brokenfeatherof abirdwith another one, referred to as a donor feather, from a previousmoltof the same animal or from another animal of the same or of a different species.[1][2]Imping is mostly done onbirds of prey(speciallyfalconsused forfalconry), although it is also applied onseabirds,corvidsand other types of birds onrehabilitation centers.It is not painful for birds, since feathers are dead structures made ofkeratin,which is what humanhairandnailsare made of.[2]Imping is only possible in partially broken or damaged feathers, not in feathers that have fallen off completely, and is only used forflight featherson thewingand forrectrices(feathers of the tail). It also can not be applied onblood feathers(developing feathers) until they are fully grown and do not have a blood supply within them anymore.[1]
Imping is done by adding a small so-called imping needle within both the shaft of the remaining part of the broken feather and the shaft of its new replacement with the help ofadhesive.In the past,bambooandmetalwere used as imping needles, andrustwas used as a bonding agent. Today, imping needles are commonly made offiberglassorgraphiteandepoxyis used as adherent.[2]After some time, the imped feather will naturally molt out and a new one will grow in its place. Imping can help a wild bird that would otherwise have to remain a considerable period in care until a new healthy feather is grown. However, imping requires precision and skill, as an incorrectly imped feather can causebruisingandirritationand affect the bird after its release, potentially even becoming detrimental to its own survival.[1]
Imping is an ancient practice, and the earliest document where it is mentioned is in theHoly Roman EmperorFrederick II's bookThe Art of Falconry(originally inLatin), where he uses the termimponere( "to fix" or "to place upon" ) to refer to it. The English writerWilliam Shakespearealso made a reference to imping on his playRichard II,where a noble incites his companions to rebel against the king to "imp out our drooping country's broken wing".[2]
References
[edit]- ^abcBarsony, Melanie (2018).The art of imping. The dynamics of raptor feather repair(PDF).Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference.University of Sydney.pp. 1–11.
- ^abcdMcGlashen, Andy (22 December 2017)."An introduction to imping, the ancient art of feather-mending".Audubon.
External links
[edit]
The dictionary definition ofimpingat Wiktionary
