Lei Designs that are complicated with too many pattern changes in a lei humu papa, a feather hatband whether feather pattern or a different specie of bird often becomes too busy for the eye to take it all in.
I have done Koena lei, the lei looks like a random mix of feathers. However a pattern to place the same shape or color then repeating that pattern gives cohesiveness and consistency.

Favorite mixed specie are pheasant and peacock, guinea hen and peacock, peacock green mixed with the body contour feather of blue are always a winner. For those who follow my work, green back feathers and red and yellow feathers from the golden pheasant are by far my favorite. Blue pheasant with very sparse peacock and golden also works very well.

When placing pauku, bands, stripes and accent be sure that those feathers are not part of the row. To explain further - we are doing 3 feathers per row, row after row to build and move along the length - but want to add peacock green in. Go back 2 rows and place green (or pauku) right on top of that row.

The sides of the lei will now have the same width and look as the rest of the lei.

You are welcome to email for further discussion on creating accents and pauku of feather lei hulu and lei hulu papa through email