Patterns Using Exotic Bird Feathers

[Nuchal Man]

Hi everyone. I work at a pet shop and I've been collecting the feathers the birds naturally molt. Newbie at fly tying and I was wondering if anyone knew any special patterns for macaw, cockatoo, parrot, caique, and budgie feathers. Are there any patterns traditionally tied with these feathers?

Thanks,

Sam

[gbflytyer]

classic atlantic salmon flies.
wet flies
mary orvis
ray bergman

p.s i would take all the macaw tails and feathers you want to give

[Normand]

heres an excellent soft hackle using parakeet

http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zerothread?id=835907

[Uncle Barry]

Hi NM
Where do I start,,,,,,,,, its endless !

the size 22's for the International swap
the wing for my fly came from a budgie, the stripped feather from its chest.

the feathers from their chest also make GREAT wet fly hackles !
Tail feather because they are flat and in a rainbow of colours make ideal wings.
Now thats just the Budgie.

Hey this is never ending...!

Kind regards, your bird feather recycler.
UB

[DShock]

Here is the description of the "Macaw Dabbler": (U.K.)
"I have been using this pattern for a couple of seasons when the Olives or Mayfly are on the go. It uses the Green iridescent tail feathers for the tail, my Hot Olive seals fur for the body with matching coloured saddle hackle palmered, ribbed with utc chartreuse wire and uses the larger macaw wing feathers that are a goldie yellow on one side and a blue iridescent on the other tied dabbler style (cloaking the body 4/5ths if the way round) at the head. It is a great pulling fly and works equally well when fished deeper." End Quote.
Image: http://www.potbellypig.co.uk/images/april01.jpg

Doug

[DDRRedneck500]

if youve been getting macaw feathers, i would suggest you sell them and use them to buy some nice tying stuff. go to www.feathersmc.com to figure out how much you might be able to sell them for. ebay would be a good place to sell some.

to give you an idea, a single pair of macaw center tails sells for $100 dollars. with the money you get, seeing as youre just starting out tying, you could get yourself a really nice vice, for starters, and all the things you might need to get going.