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Hi, Has anybody had any experience with parrot harnesses? Due to a combination of Covid-9 lockdown & keeping away from people whenever possible (we are high risk) our normal clipping routine has been interrupted, and Lucy has now got a lot more full length primaries than usual. So , I though I would use the opportunity to find a good flying harness, attempt to buy it ( we are in SA, not the 'easy to get anything' US) and try it out. Would appreciate any comments and real experience on the range available. I would also appreciate comments on what NOT to buy as well as the success.

Yes, she regularly has her wings clipped, and generally a pedicure at the same time to save my hand from becoming a pin cushion. However, Covid 19 has interrupted the normal visit (we are both high risk so keeping away from other home sapiens as much as possible) so she is nearly a full flight bird. However, and this is the downside of being in a cage most of their lives, the more they don't use their wings as much as they were designed to, the less they are able to. Imagine being laid up with a broken leg in plaster; after 6 weeks or so you have lost muscle mass. Now escalte that to 15 years. We have been having "flight training" in the garden of late - now she has so many primaries to give lift - as a means of her getting a lot more exercise. Even though she has most of her wing feathers she still cannot fly far and cannot control landing that well. Essentially she has a controlled plummet. No hurt, just a downward glide. Just after 3 "flights" at about 3 - 5 m ( with a little breather in between) she is breathing heavily. I saw on the internet last year a device in the US which was effectively a 'bird leash' to allow free flight but could prevent flying away. I think I will put a new topic on that to see if anybody else has tried it and if so what success.

Aaaww, Lucy's beautiful! I get so nervous when people take their birds outside, untethered and out of the cage! Are her wings clipped? Many years ago, we had a close call with our sun conure. She was outside on my stepdad's shoulder. Something startled her, and she took off! Being the smart bird she was, she flew around to the front of the house and hung out by the door, calling until we got her. Please keep Lucy safe! ❤️

Maggie I send love and hugs, I will always think of Jay and you sharing your knowledge and experience in an effort to help both our birds and their humans. What a big hole in your heart.

Love her spa set up! Well traveled and well photographed. Thank you for sharing her with us!