Not sure if I'd be of any help, but I just got a cockatiel and he sheds a few feathers a day (small little ones. About the size of a big toe nail) You could use those for the top since they are fluffy and small. Not sure how long it will take for him to molt his bigger feathers, but I can talk to the pet store down the street that sells birds and see if I can have their birds' shed feathers.