Sophie WAS clipped when we got her . I DO believe in trimming, after a baby has learned to fly 100%. They need to develop chest muscles. I can only say, Sophie has NEVER been the best flyer, since she never learned. We have always practiced with her, but she still prefers to walk. she is 100% flighted, and thinks she can do anything. Occasionally, I forget to close basement door when doing wash, she has flown down and scared the crap out of me. Her flight is marginal.
Kiki our Amazon, whom we've had since a baby, can fly with perfect accuracy. I did trim her when she was going thru the terrible two's, so she could focus on learning. It never affected her negatively. Kiki flies quite well, Sophie loves to see her fly. At the end of the day, Sophie still rules, but appreciates the beauty of Kiki flying. She is not jealous, and is happy, but sometimes I wonder... " what if"... if Sophie had learned to fly as a baby. Nancy