Imping

In the past, bamboo and metal were used as imping needles, and rust was used as a bonding agent.

Today, imping needles are commonly made of fiberglass or graphite and epoxy is used as adherent.

Imping can help a wild bird that would otherwise have to remain a considerable period in care until a new healthy feather is grown.

[1] Imping is an ancient practice, and the earliest document where it is mentioned is in the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II's book The Art of Falconry (originally in Latin), where he uses the term imponere ("to fix" or "to place upon") to refer to it.

The English writer William Shakespeare also made a reference to imping on his play Richard II, where a noble incites his companions to rebel against the king to "imp out our drooping country's broken wing".