Clip wings or not?

Hey guys! Happy holidays to you all!

My question is: is it necessary to clip its wings? My breeder doesn't recommend it. I necessarily don't want to either as I don't want it fly all over the hotel and we have high ceiling fans also so therefor don't want it to get killed. If I do clip it will it be unhappy and therefor show bad characteristics? Or if I don't clip it will it fly only when I want it to?

I sound so life controlling. Lol

Thanks all!

Okay, so you're going to get lots of views, unless this topic has been overly worn out.

If the bird never learned to fly, clipping it's wings isn't going to make it depressed. you can't miss something you never knew existed. However, trips to the vet for wing grooming will make any bird stressed, but you have have to ge their nails done anyway, so it's an unavoidable trip.

Clipping a bird will not prevent it from flying, unless you get an extremely horrifyingly short cut, which is not recommended because it's dangerous. If you get it so short the bird can't fly, chances are when your bird needs to glide or fly from a high place when off balance or scared he will instead plop to the ground and probably hurt his leg or wing.

A clipped bird can fly at least 20-40 feet, if not more. The only difference is it's much more energy and harder to maneuver.

A flighted bird can be trained on how, when and where to fly, such as on command or in designated places. It's actually fairly simply, esp. if you plan on keeping them inside (that eliminates training for surprises- weather, predators, etc).

If you clip your birds wings you can always grow them back. It may take 6 months to a year or even more to be fully flighted again, but you can gauge at what you can handle. If the bird starts flying bat crazy when his wings get at a certain length, clip them.

Special cuts allow for birds to fly so far or only in circles etc.

Flight allows for exercise which is much needed.

Flight requires supervision and training. Birds don't just know how to fly or land, it's like teaching a kid to walk.

I'm personally for it. I believe they were given the ability to flight for reason- in fact birds are the only animals that fly,as far as I'm aware, so that's a gifted talent meant for them to have. If they weren't meant to fly they wouldn't have wings and the ability. Once birds get the hang of it there's a confidence increase and more of a pep in their step you can say.

I think it's safer too, as long as you're trained. I have lost my RFM while free flighting her because I didn't train her for flying in wind- and low and behold a great gust of wind came and blew her into a tree. Luckily I got her back. Had I properly trained her it wouldn't have happened.

A properly trained bird would do fine flying, in fact, if a flighted bird was loss or just flying outside or walking around in the grass (versus a clipped) and a predator came, I know that my flighted bird has a chance to make it. AN unclipped doesn't. It can't fly as fast or as far and it's hard to maneuver.

Plus the amazement from their first flights is wonderful and then watching them hover and fly straight up or down at such steep depths or over a glistening lake is breath taking.

But this is your personal decision. Flighted birds require more supervision and lots of training. Clipped don't, but flighted allows more exercise.

I prefer clipped because I think there are too many hazards in the house such as ceiling fans, Pots of hot foods glass windows and mirrors ect.

I don't understand why people change the bird as opposed to the environment. I turn off my ceiling fans when my bird is out. My windows have blinds, and I put my bird up when I cook.

khaiqha said:

I don't understand why people change the bird as opposed to the environment. I turn off my ceiling fans when my bird is out. My windows have blinds, and I put my bird up when I cook.

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When you have had a Bird die as I have, through flying full pelt into a Window, then in my mind this is a good enough reason to have them clipped!!

wenz2712 said:

Dont worry, he wont be unhappy if you have him clipped... Just get it done lightly, this will prevent him from being able to fly high!!

I have my Amazons wings lightly clipped and she is always happy

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Do you see what I see? LOLOLOL

wenz2712 said:

khaiqha said:

I don't understand why people change the bird as opposed to the environment. I turn off my ceiling fans when my bird is out. My windows have blinds, and I put my bird up when I cook.

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When you have had a Bird die as I have, through flying full pelt into a Window, then in my mind this is a good enough reason to have them clipped!!

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I'm sorry for your loss but if you train your parrot and your parrot is comfortable and trained/used to it's environment it most likely wouldn't happen. Regardless, many people put things like blinds, curtains, or even post it notes over windows to deter birds.

MaraWentz said:

wenz2712 said:

khaiqha said:

I don't understand why people change the bird as opposed to the environment. I turn off my ceiling fans when my bird is out. My windows have blinds, and I put my bird up when I cook.

Click to expand...

When you have had a Bird die as I have, through flying full pelt into a Window, then in my mind this is a good enough reason to have them clipped!!

Click to expand...

I'm sorry for your loss but if you train your parrot and your parrot is comfortable and trained/used to it's environment it most likely wouldn't happen. Regardless, many people put things like blinds, curtains, or even post it notes over windows to deter birds.

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There are many people on this forum that have had the same thing happen! My theory is, " Prevention Is Better Than Cure"

If you get them lightly clipped, then they can still fly at half height and still glide to the floor!

The only reason I would say a Bird should be kept flighted is if you like to freeflight them. but I am certainly not going to codemn anyone that keeps their Bird flighted, no more than I would expect to be condemned for having Codie clipped!

JerseyWendy said:

wenz2712 said:

Dont worry, he wont be unhappy if you have him clipped... Just get it done lightly, this will prevent him from being able to fly high!!

I have my Amazons wings lightly clipped and she is always happy

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Do you see what I see? LOLOLOL

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LOL Wendy... I told you how hard it is! I just write She without thinking about it! I am going to put a big note on my Computer saying.. Codie is a Boy LOL

But a way to prevent accidents would be
1. Clip them
2. Train them
3. Block off hazards, so you, the pp, and I are all 3 correct. I'm not arguing, just trying to offer all the options.

Mitz, a bird is born to fly. It is an inherent part of their being. Both of my birds are fully flighted and I have no trouble managing it. If you do a light clip, they can't fly more than 20 or so ft. and that prevents things like escapes, and such. However, with a gust of wind, any clipped bird can take off. Keep your bird in its cage when in the hotel lobby. And be conscious of when you are letting the flighted bird be free and that its a safe and controlled environment, i.e., doors are closed, windows are protected, etc. The best thing is for your bird to get to know its boundaries. Show the bird the windows.

I feel this is a good summary on the matter: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj6SYg5sL4U]How to Properly Clip a Parrot's Wings - YouTube[/ame]

In Mitz's situation i would suggest a clip, IMO there would be a lot more dangers in a hotel than in the family home. My very first Eclectus was an angel ( still is ) He lived in the house for the first 18 months never left his play stand unless i asked him to step up. Was never caged, however he was clipped for the first 12 months, then i let his flights grow out. He lives in an aviary outside these days.

IMO I think Mitz should do what is best for her situation & the birds safety. Clipping the bird isn't going to turn it into a neurotic nervous mess that will never fly in the future.

One of the reasons that we bought the house was the view through the day windows and sliders plus we live in Fla and we need ceiling fans which is why they are in almost every room in the house. I like the sun and do not like blinds, drapes or curtains during the day. Also at least one of my parrots is out and sometimes two at a time most of the day as we are retired and home all day. A couple have already flown into the slider and window when their wings started to grow back. Fortunately they were not injured, However I will continue to keep my birds clipped for my own peace of mind. Our house is no longer child or bird proof. It works for us. I think it is up to each individual parrot owner to make a decision that works for them and their house.

I think most of the obvious pros and cons have already been said ...


i don't like saying it. But since you say he will be in a hotel lobby, you probably will not have full control of the fans, doors, people and noises at all times, therefore clipping may be safer.

Whether or not you have a properly trained bird who flies when and where you want them to, when a bird is spooked their first reaction is to jump and take flight -no amount of training can completely prevent this action.
This is a big problem for me because if anything scares pickle he just jumps and falls to the floor - reinforcing the idea that whatever scared him is a bad thing.

That said, if there are going to be many people around and if you keep him clipped, your bird will not have any escape route from anything that is bothering him or a way to escape danger. You will have to be extra vigilant about other people and hazards around him.

Clipping its-self will not necessarily make your bird unhappy. However, if you have a clipped bird and something in the room is stressing or scaring them they can never get away from it. This can definetly cause chronic stress and lead to detrimental behaviour. A clipped bird will be more dependent on you to prevent things like this.

Marawentz,

It really depends on how they were clipped in the first place to take flight! I've tried different clippings before, if you clip properly, not even a gust of wind will pick up the bird! I have tried it many times!!! The way to do it is to clip off the primary flight feathers in a line with the secondary feathers and go half way where you meet the secondary feathers towards the body. I've clipped 100's of birds in the past, no issues taking them outside!

Mitz,

I don't clip my adult birds because I don't like doing so unless I have to. I mainly do clip babies cause they tend to fly fly fly once they fledge. It becomes very hard to control when you have multiple babies flying in all directions. Plus training becomes an issue as well when they won't stay. Only a few babies I don't enjoy clipping them cause they may take off flying, but they circle a few times and come right back to me. But I clip them anyways before they go to their new homes. It is easier on a new owner to train a new baby when they're not flying off away from them. Or do to stupidity with flying off when they go outside with them. Or ones with children that leaves the door open. Such a place is a hotel lobby. With the high ceilings and fans, plus tons of people in and out. It's not really wise since your thinking about placing the bird in there right away. It is probably best to clip. Inside our homes is a controlled environment that we can shut our ceiling fans off and such, it's harder to prevent in a hotel lobby situation as there's others that would do something you don't expect.

Since you are in a hotel I would suggest clipping. I personaly think a bird should know how to fly. Anyhow, if you are not sure how to properly clip you can find professional groomers, or people in vet offices that know how to do it. A properly clipped ird will be able to glide to the ground. Though I do not know if your bird is small enough but a small clipped bird can get pretty far if the wind helps carrty them. My conure is clipped but can fly someways. fI she does well when her feathers grow back then I will not bother clipping anymore. I had a cockatiel who was a good flyer.

I prefer not to clip but you are keeping her in a hotel where you can't control the door on who's coming in and out. In your case it is absolutely not safe to keep her flighted. You also never know what screaming kid or large whatever might spook her into taking off of the cage. You absolutely have to clip if you keep her in a public setting. You can't control what is going to scare her at any time. I have no idea what your business looks like but I would keep an eye on your birds stress levels being in a busy lobby.

MikeyTN said:

Marawentz,

It really depends on how they were clipped in the first place to take flight! I've tried different clippings before, if you clip properly, not even a gust of wind will pick up the bird! I have tried it many times!!! The way to do it is to clip off the primary flight feathers in a line with the secondary feathers and go half way where you meet the secondary feathers towards the body. I've clipped 100's of birds in the past, no issues taking them outside!

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I'm not sure what you're arguing about, so I'm going to narrow it down to 2 things that I think you may be referring to:

1. Clipped bird cannot fly- I have stated that they can- gust or wind or not
2. Clipped bird isn't safe outside- they can fly as already stated, but they have harder time than flighted, so if danger were to come my bets would be on a flighted birds being faster and more able to maneuver than a clipped one that has to exert more energy.