domyoburk Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 We got Ursula clipped and wanted her to be able to fly. We read lots of stuff on the difficulty of birds learning to fly when older... But great news, Ursula is about 22 months old and has most of her flight feathers, and she has taken to flight like a natural. She couldn't wait; she's always dived off of things, so with each new flight feather she's gone farther. Now it's back and forth in the house and 180 degrees turns and fancy landings. Much fun! We have screens on all windows plus heavy-duty industrial (1.5 inch by 1.5 inch) netting over the windows, just in case she was able to knock out a screen. We have netting hanging in our entryway too; you come in our door, shut the door, walk 6 feet and come through the netting - like an airlock. I ordered the netting online, if anyone is interested - west coast netting - you can specify the size. You can't be too careful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domyoburk Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 Trying to attach the photo again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xtreme575 Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 That's great to hear... From someone with an 8 month old clipped bird that can't wait for flight as well. I'm going to look into getting the netting! Maybe it will save me a move to a new home, something I was considering that would be more "bird-safe". Sorry you are having trouble attaching the pic, I need to read how to do it every time! LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judygram Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Thats a great idea about the netting and I wish you could post a pic to show how you did it, would be so great for some of these who have good fliers to keep them from going out the door. Try reading thru this link for help on posting pictures: http://www.greyforums.net/forums/welcome-&-introduction-room/54297-how-to-post-pictures.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmcq Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Thats wonderful news, congratulations!!! :-) Judy's link should help you in posting a photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xtreme575 Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 BTW, did the feather chewing stop prior to flight, with flight, or was it an alternative method, or is it still going on? I'm hoping mine is chewing out of frustration due to not being able to fly and that it'll stop when he can...:dry: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvparrots Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Glad to hear Ursual can now fly. Hooray! Thanks for the netting site, might check it out. Would love to see the pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearllyn Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Glad to hear Ursula has found her flight - once they have the hang of it they come on so quickly don't they! Looking forward to the photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janfromboone Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 you gave me a great idea to provide another barrier to a back door that I haven't yet done anything about. I could use my bird netting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domyoburk Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 OK, here I try the photo upload again... And no, we think Ursula's feather picking is mostly due to GI irritation. We took her off pellets and have to be sure not to feed her simple carbs (like crackers, sorry Ursula!) and we keep it mostly under control. Sometimes she bites a few feathers off when molting too, it seems to be her response to discomfort. Anyway, flying doesn't seem to have much impact so far. So now I paste in the photbucket img url, hope this works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domyoburk Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 Pics of the netting are successfully uploading to a different thread: "Pics of Netting - Safe Indoor Flight" BTW, we live in Portland Oregon and can never try free flight because we have way too many hawks. I was walking to work with Ursula in our Celltei backpack one day and a Cooper's Hawk flew right by me and landed on the grass and looked at me, very confused as to why her snack was packaged in such a strange contraption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elvenking Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 That is awesome she is picking up flight. I will never forget Issacs first rise to my vaulted cieling...I was freaking out cause he had never gone up till that moment. On his third flight attempt, he put it to use..actually made a good landing. This was in his tenth week going on eleven. Now he zips around pretty good. It is a pretty awesome sight to see these beautiful birds floating around. When they fly to you, you feel pretty special too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domyoburk Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 It makes for a completely different relationship - they can communicate what they want physically. Now we know that Ursula wants to be in the same room with us, or at least in the hallway or something, where she can see us or be very near, ALWAYS. We're her flock! Nearby and as high as possible, of course, is even better. And when we're walking around doing stuff she is very curious and prefers to be riding around on us watching the proceedings. She also chases a laser light back and forth - great exercise! Try it if you haven't already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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