Wings-Clip or Not

[hoodoowoman]

I was letting Oliver's wings grow because I read that it can cause them emotional distress to keep them clipped. Now that he can fly, it's causing ME emotional distress-he just bumped his head on a window again.

 

What do you guys do?

 

He's fine, but I'm really not wanting to go through that again-he had a little bare spot and a drop of blood...and really, I'm not a pansy, I have lots of animals.....but I hate it when he's hurt. (a few pignolias and a cuddle and he's fine)

[Luvparrots]

I have decals on my windows to keep outdoor birds from hitting my windows. I also use decals on my sliding glass doors so humans won't accidently bump into them also. I believe this would work for indoor birds as well. There are some pretty cool decals out there just for this purpose.

[casper]

Take oliver round and show him the windows and mirrors by tapping on them and showing him.

Luvparrots has given good advice about the decals on the windows, I put up voile curtains to stop them flying into them.

he will soon learn his flying skills but will have a few bumpy landings on the way!

[she]

I have blinds on my windows and patio doors,they are great for preventing crashes.The decals sounds like a good idea.I am glad your bird is ok. They do learn where windows and mirrors are. Sheila

[Janfromboone]

Tobies wings are molting out now. In my house the best place for the cage is very near a porch door that is often opened. If I grow him out he'll have to have his cage moved to a wall that is high traffic and he can't quite see into the kitchen or living room where the traffic comes from. I'm thinking I'll leave him clipped - I'm so worried about loosing him out the door. Also, I wonder if I don't clip him and allow him to fly for a while, then clip him again, isn't that more traumatic to the bird than never knowning he can fly?<br><br>Post edited by: Janfromboone, at: 2008/10/21 23:56

[dhorje]

I can't bear to clip the wings of my baby. It is nice to see my baby flying to me while I was making food for her at the kitchen.

[OlBenny]

I have always been a little cautious of clipping my babies wings and it tore me in two to do it:( , but the area where I live, if she were to get out it would most defiantly be the end. I live in an area that has a very unforgiving weather. In the summer it can be unbearably hot and in the winter subzero.

I keep her wings and my teils wings clipped all the time, how ever I don't trim to the point where they fall like a rock. Usually when they are trimmed they have enough flight feathers to make a VERY smooth landing. I like it this way because I know the farthest they could fly is to the deck door and at the very worst make it to the deck. When she is on the floor every thing she can be on has a cotton rope attached to it and she can crawl up it to get to go where ever she wants.

I guess the moral of this story is; where ever your area is, its going to decide whether or not to let her fly or not. If you have the wide open spaces, I'd say get her a harness and let her fly or clip her wings and find other ways that she can get around, but Janfromboone is right, going back and forth would be traumatic. I hope this helps,

Ben

[dblhelix]

It is rare if ever that a proficient flier that is familiar with its home would fly into a window. Proficient flier means the bird can bank, hover, fly up, fly down and land exactly where intended. I am not clear if Oliver was fully fledged as a youngster or previously fully flighted. If he was not fully fledged and the flights only recently regrown then you must understand flying is a learned skill for birds. It will take many months to over a year for them to really become flight proficient, gain muscle strength etc if they were not previously fully fledged. If they are new to flying then there will be a period where there are crash landings, maybe some flying into things etc. This can be a bit stressful to you and them during this time, but if you work with them and encourage them they will pick it up quite well. Some are more determined and quick to learn good flight skills than others. Once they are flight proficient they are very graceful and not really prone to having accidents involving flying into things at all. Of course you need to be sure that you can properly mitigate open doors, windows etc to the outside due to the possibility of accidental escape. In general if your home environment allows you to deal with open doors etc in a reasonable fashion it is healthier to keep the bird flighted if possible.

[hoodoowoman]

I've got some decals I am going to put on the windows and we are going to continue to work through this. As he flies more, I can tell he's becoming more confident and just generally happier, more at ease with exploring. Of course, this means I have to be double and triple sure that doors are locked, but that is a small price to pay for a happy, confident bird.