Aviator harness vs. falcon leg things

[josiesmom]

Josie loves (as in she doesn't give me a problem putting it on or taking it off because she knows it is her ticket outside) the aviator harness; however, she has bitten through 2 of them already. I remember a thread on here somewhere where the person got falcon leg things for their bird. Does anyone have any experience with the falconry method? I'm really tempted to give that a whirl and see how that works for her. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Kiwibird]

I would personally never put a leash on the leg of a bird. I know falconers do it, but I think the training of those birds is at such a higher level than most parrots you can't really compare the safety aspects. All I can envision is a bird getting spooked and trying to fly off and getting a severe injury like a broken leg or dislocated hip from the force of the restraint against their leg. Harnesses (to me) seem like a much safer option, since they are evenly distributed over the birds body rather than just an extremity. If your bird keeps biting through the harness, perhaps you could spay it with bitter apple (which is a bad taste to them, but isn't toxic) to discourage chewing.

 

[WeimerHeimer]

Often wondered about falcon "jesses" myself. Did some research, very limited out there, but what I've read is, .... falcons have much stronger legs than a macaw does. Why, because birds of prey rely and use their legs/talons to hunt and catch prey (fish, rabbits, squirrels, ducks, etc ...), therefore, their legs are designed and built for strength. Macaws do not have near the legs strength as a falcon, owl, eagle, etc ..... If you atached a jesses to a macaw leg(s) if they got spooked or intentially took off damage (tendon, dislocation, broken bone, etc...) to their leg(s) are highly possible.

 

[MikeyTN]

I've seen pictures of them being chained to their post in which I don't agree with. When a parrot tries to take off, IF something is holding them back they will usually chew on that item first. Even their leg as they're trying to free themselves. So your risking many things there. I wouldn't suggest it but it's been brought up before and I suppose some people are doing it and taking the risk.

 

[Shayne]

I've been thinking about this and came up with an idea and want to know what you all think.

Do you think it would be alot safer using a chain around their leg if you put a suitable strength spring at the end of the chain. So that if they take flight and pull against it they won't have an instant unmovable force pulling against them when the chain is fully extended. But a gradual build up of force as they pull against the spring. So it will act like a shock absorber and won't hurt their leg.

I just suggest this as I'm guessing it will be alot easier getting a ring around my B and G's leg than it will be trying to get a full body harness on him. And I really don't want him to miss out on the few days of sunshine we get here a year in rainy old England.

 

[MonicaMc]

A lot of chains can be dangerous if not nickel plated or stainless steel.

Chains are heavy.


Personally, I don't like the idea myself.

 

[Shayne]

Well come to think of it it doesnt have to be a chain. It could just be some sort of soft elastic. With a ring to go round the leg.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I would never use a jesses of any kind on a parrot. Raptors can kill with their powerful legs and the strength behind them is amazing. A falcon will slam into a bird or animal with all it's strength feet first, often collapsing their lungs. Some hawks use their talons to crush their prey, or keep them still while they reliever the final blow with their beak.

A parrots legs are weak and are no comparison.

 

[josiesmom]

I've decided to stick with the aviator harness. I called the company and explained that she broke 2 of their harnesses and they were great. The are going to send me a new one that is re-enforced in the areas that she has broken. Other than her grabbing it with her beak and breaking the stitching, I love it. Putting it on has never been a problem. Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I've decided to stick with the aviator harness. I called the company and explained that she broke 2 of their harnesses and they were great. The are going to send me a new one that is re-enforced in the areas that she has broken. Other than her grabbing it with her beak and breaking the stitching, I love it. Putting it on has never been a problem. Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

That's awesome they are sending a reinforced harness, great costumer service.

 

[horsesculpter]

My certified avian vet who is also a falconer, says a line to my macaws leg is a better choice. He says it is a myth that their legs are weak. I am just passing on his opinion. I have used a line on Sunny's leg when we took her canoeing. She doesn't fly so it was mostly a way to fish her out of the water should that have been necessary. I have a harness, but Sunny won't allow it. She tolerates the one on her leg, but removes it as soon as we get to shore. Silly bird! She is too smart.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

My certified avian vet who is also a falconer, says a line to my macaws leg is a better choice. He says it is a myth that their legs are weak. I am just passing on his opinion. I have used a line on Sunny's leg when we took her canoeing. She doesn't fly so it was mostly a way to fish her out of the water should that have been necessary. I have a harness, but Sunny won't allow it. She tolerates the one on her leg, but removes it as soon as we get to shore. Silly bird! She is too smart.

I have a friend who is a falconer and when I mentioned Jesses for parrots he seemed surprised I was against them being used on parrots.

He used his successfully on his African crow and kookaburra.

 

[Shayne]

Well I've ordered my macaw an aviator harness too. Hopefully it won't be to hard to get him to wear it. But I'm not too hopefull as I have some cardboard rings which came in a toy pack and he's scared of them.

I can always take him to the local sports center where they have a massive indoor dome area with a really high ceiling. Let him fly about in there, if they let me rent it for that purpose. I know that ones going to give me an I'll go and ask my manager responce.

 

[Alwese]

You calling the company was a great idea, as they get the feedback to build their product all the better. What better testing than real world testing. Is their some problem as to why you wouldn't want to try trimming to keep your bird from flying? If you don't care for the trimming and want your bird to return to flying he would do so in about 30 weeks. It's not like he would be permanently damaged or anything.

 

[josiesmom]

When I was given Josie her wings were clipped but she could still fly. Not well which is what makes me nervous because she can hurt herself. I'm going to try the new harness and see how long it lasts this time. I'll keep you posted.

 

[BillsBirds]

When using jesses, you do not give the bird very much length to fly from your hand. I've used them with both owls & hawks. They are more for keeping the bird on your hand. Usually they are only about a foot long, and you hold both together in your hand, while the bird sits on your fist or wrist. From my observation, raptors have stronger legs & feet than parrots. But, I don't think a parrot could hurt themselves unless the leash was long, and snapped them back at the end of the length. Even then, I have seen birds leashed with a ring around one leg, and didn't have any problems. In many places, birds are still tethered this way. I've had a Quaker, a Mynah, and a Crow that were "ringed", as it was called. And never any problems.