My bird is depressed.

After much deliberation we decided to have our Green Cheeks wings clipped. It was done two days ago by the vet. Mosey is now almost silent. She seems skittish and sad. She will still sit with and snuggle with my daughter ( her mom) but she just seems so lost and unhappy. We were afraid she was going to hurt herself flying around the house. Recently she flew right into the window even though the blinds were there. We thought she’s be safer....but I’m worried about her reaction. How can we help her adjust and be happy until her wings come in?

Ah, wow... sorry to hear. I'm sure you know clipping is a controversy. Sounds like you had the best of intention. I would just recommend lots of love and treats and attention while you wait for her spirits to lift. Good for you for sharing and reaching out.
When/if you let her fly again, I have a suggestion for learning about walls and windows. They CAN be dangerous...
A long time ago, somebody showed me this idea for letting birds realize the hazards...
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssC-fsVmgDE"]rickeybirdproductions: KNOCK KNOCK! - YouTube[/ame]

Time heals all wounds. I know it sounds cliche but I too went through this with two of my four GCCs. They were great flyers and I got pressured by family to clip them. Personally I will not do it again as it took a better part of 4 months for them to get over it.

Just give lots of love, treats and make sure to include him/her in as much as you can.




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I just had dinner with my uncle who had to (begrudgingly) trim his jardines parrot. He got it done by someone who knew what they were doing, and it really helped them (because the bird was flying EVERYWHERE and dive-bombing my aunt). He always worried about clipping wings but he had to do it for safety and hormones---now the bird's feathers have grown back he he is much more selective on his flight choices (which is good). I am not saying clipping is the answer, but it isn't ALWAYS bad...Time will help.

He was about 2 when they trimmed, but I know he doesn't regret it (even though he dreaded it).

How old is the bird, usually young birds that have not been flying long make these mistakes. If you take them around rooms and windows and tap on everything, and have them touch the windows with their beak and repeat, they learn pretty fast.

I fall into the do not clip wings categories. With six flying birds in my house for years none of these problems have happened.

Except from the parrot behaviorist who wrote the following article. He also provides solutions to flight concerns "I don't subscribe to the common thought that wing clipping is `a personal choice'. A personal choice for the bird or the owner? If we are genuine and authentic about promoting relationships with parrots as pets built on a foundation of respect, trust and appreciation for accommodating them to the best of our abilities then such decisions should be made in the primary interest of what is ultimately the best for the bird -- not simply to cater for the limitations of the owner's environmental circumstance. A 21st century approach to companion parrot care embraces their flight capability and challenges owners to develop both the appropriate training skills to manage that successfully and to create an appropriate environment to ensure that flight is catered for safely. Ultimately, it's our expectations of our parrots as pets and the environment that we provide for them that need to be modified, not their wings. The justifications and rationale presented for wing clipping really don't maintain validity today. Flying into windows, getting stuck in the toilet or the frying pan, escaping out the door are all examples of problems with the management of the parrot not problems of flight"
https://www.parrots.org/ask-an-expert/wing-clipping-vs-flighted-companion-parrots

Many will criticize clipping. I know I have gotten some harsh words over encouraging clipping of the Rickeybeast's wings. Yes, I get the physical and mental health aspects of flight, but i also witness the occasions (rare, yes, but they happen) when the beast attacks a visitor or rushes the family dog or gets a shot at flying out the door or steals a dangerous object and flies off with it, or whatever. She has countless safety precautions in place and in our 25+ years together I have only witnessed a few failures of her systems. I know the missus values the bird's freedom but I value HER happiness and God help us all if that bird gets hurt or killed or lost. I do admit to bowing to her success record of 35 years, after all. Anyway, I wanted to express my unpopular opinion in defense of those who may agree with me. I would do anything to keep her bird healthy and present. He and I are not friends, but... well, my signature says it all. lol

I shall now go hide under an afghan throw on my Lazyboy in anticipation of the missus' reading this.

Here is another good article. And an excerpt from the article
Fledging and Flight
One of the most critical periods in a parrot’s life is fledging, or leaving the nest and learning to fly, find food, form social bonds, and avoid predators by following their parents. Early wing clipping can interrupt this physical and psychological process and may leave birds prone to health and behavioral problems. Even as an adult, no bird is meant to caged and kept from flying. Every system in a bird’s body has evolved for efficient flying and they suffer without this crucial mental and physical exercise. Confinement in a cage can lead to ill health, neurotic behavior, excessive screaming, feather plucking, self-mutilation, obesity, and other destructive habits.
AWC - Avian Welfare Coalition - Issues - Articles - The True Nature of Parrots

Also if you go to my Ornithology thread on page ten, many behavior problems stem from forced an early weaning, not fledging and learning to fly well. On page 12 feather plucking same things....

Just for the wider audience that will be reading this. As there is a very strong Push from avain behaviorists, and scientific studies, that show how wing clipping should stop, and stop being our go to to deal with behavior.

As others have wisely said, time heals all wounds!

What you can do, however, is increase enrichment and mental stimulation. When was the last time you did any target training? Foraging? Giving her these sorts of mental stimulation will help get her over the hump.

Best of luck!

Rival_of_the_Rickeybird said:

Many will criticize clipping. I know I have gotten some harsh words over encouraging clipping of the Rickeybeast's wings. Yes, I get the physical and mental health aspects of flight, but i also witness the occasions (rare, yes, but they happen) when the beast attacks a visitor or rushes the family dog or gets a shot at flying out the door or steals a dangerous object and flies off with it, or whatever. She has countless safety precautions in place and in our 25+ years together I have only witnessed a few failures of her systems. I know the missus values the bird's freedom but I value HER happiness and God help us all if that bird gets hurt or killed or lost. I do admit to bowing to her success record of 35 years, after all. Anyway, I wanted to express my unpopular opinion in defense of those who may agree with me. I would do anything to keep her bird healthy and present. He and I are not friends, but... well, my signature says it all. lol

I shall now go hide under an afghan throw on my Lazyboy in anticipation of the missus' reading this.

Click to expand...

There is no need to hide. Although I choose not too clip, I would hope everyone would respect your decision to clip. We all live different lives and have different experiences which Influence our decisions.

Personally, I stepped on one of my clipped birds and almost lost her. She was in the sink playing in the water when I turned my back for a second. I didn’t hear her fluttered to the ground so when this 800 lb gorilla turned around , I placed my entire weight on her. In my humble opinion, this wouldn’t have happened if she had not been clipped.

Long story short, don’t hide and don’t apologize for your decision. Yell it loud and proud because you are doing what it takes to keep your little chicken safe.


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In dealing with you bird depression now this article is very good. You could offer warm food comfort feedings , even though weaned you can get and use baby bird formula. Be very careful and only mix a small amount then toss, it grows nasties quick! Or feed warm scratches eggs, warm oatmeal. https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

I’m neither pro or anti clip because there are SO many different situations. It’s not a one size fits all issue. I grew up with 3 flighted parrots, so clipping my bird was not a natural choice. I got my bird as a rescue and he came clipped. While we know very little about his history, I believe he’s likely been clipped his whole life. Ive let his wings grow out twice in the 11 years Ive had him and both times were disastrous. The last time, he flew full force into a cabinet and knocked himself unconscious. My beautiful, sweet, loving bird was just lying there sprawled out motionless on my kitchen floor and I thought he was dead. I decided at that point he will remain clipped for the rest of his life. He is perfectly happy and well adjusted the way he is. It takes me 30 seconds to trim his wings a couple times a year and I do it at home. Don’t even need to restrain him. He enjoys sitting on my hand while I hold his feet and flapping his wings as I walk around the house for exercise. That’s about the closest he’ll ever get to flight and I’ve learned to be ok with that (plus it’s pretty funny how excited he gets). He’s happy and safe so I’m happy.

Give your bird some time, make sure your offering extra attention, toys and treats and I bet once the shock wears off, you can make a better assessment on whether or not clipping was the right decision and something that should be continued or never done again.

JWF1602 said:

Rival_of_the_Rickeybird said:

Many will criticize clipping. I know I have gotten some harsh words over encouraging clipping of the Rickeybeast's wings. Yes, I get the physical and mental health aspects of flight, but i also witness the occasions (rare, yes, but they happen) when the beast attacks a visitor or rushes the family dog or gets a shot at flying out the door or steals a dangerous object and flies off with it, or whatever. She has countless safety precautions in place and in our 25+ years together I have only witnessed a few failures of her systems. I know the missus values the bird's freedom but I value HER happiness and God help us all if that bird gets hurt or killed or lost. I do admit to bowing to her success record of 35 years, after all. Anyway, I wanted to express my unpopular opinion in defense of those who may agree with me. I would do anything to keep her bird healthy and present. He and I are not friends, but... well, my signature says it all. lol

I shall now go hide under an afghan throw on my Lazyboy in anticipation of the missus' reading this.

Click to expand...

There is no need to hide. Although I choose not too clip, I would hope everyone would respect your decision to clip. We all live different lives and have different experiences which Influence our decisions.

Personally, I stepped on one of my clipped birds and almost lost her. She was in the sink playing in the water when I turned my back for a second. I didn’t hear her fluttered to the ground so when this 800 lb gorilla turned around , I placed my entire weight on her. In my humble opinion, this wouldn’t have happened if she had not been clipped.

Long story short, don’t hide and don’t apologize for your decision. Yell it loud and proud because you are doing what it takes to keep your little chicken safe.


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Click to expand...

Thanks, J. I appreciate it. I lost the clipping "discussion" ages ago.................. the missus' bird flies free and fierce. I hope to gawd she never regrets it. Then again, after 35 years of wedded bliss (theirs, not mine, lol, they are a bonded pair and I'm the male concubine) she can make a good argument that he has had a great life and hey, nobody or nothin' lives forever. Good discussion.
Okay, J, I will come out from underneath the afghan.

Thank you everyone. Mosey is doing a bit better. She was playing with Mom and not as quiet. Looking forward to learning more on here.

Moseysgrandma said:

After much deliberation we decided to have our Green Cheeks wings clipped. It was done two days ago by the vet. Mosey is now almost silent. .................. How can we help her adjust and be happy until her wings come in?

Click to expand...

For me its the hurt feelings looks that my GCC shows me that gives me second thoughts about doing it. Its been nine months since her trip to the vet.

More than likely the bird is reacting to being toweled and manhandled by a stranger than actually reacting to loss of flight. I'm a supporter of properly clipped wings.

Read this.
http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/24352-top-ten-reasons-pet-birds-die.html