Aviator Harness

[getwozzy]

At some point I'd like to get Jackie an aviator harness so he can get out n about with us more. Any tips on how to introduce it to him and get him used to it?

 

[MarciaLove]

it comes with a video that explains the whole process very well. Basically start by setting by his cage then on you when you hold him then let him touch it and then drape it over him then get him to stick his head through then put it on and off him and finally out it on him and fasten it. It took me two weeks to get my Blue Crown to let me put it on him.

 

[getwozzy]

Sounds easy enough...I haven't even bought one yet, but I'm hoping he'll let me put it on him eventually. Any new object completely freaks him out, so I'm prepared for it to be a long process lol

 

[Featheredsamurai]

when you buy it get it from their website, they offer free world wide shipping

 

[Akraya]

I've taken a break from training with it, a month and got it on my Alex, and she was fine for 2mins then she just started to freak, so back to square one with her.
My conures are not fans of it either, still trying to get them to just touch it, they're very sketchy over new things, looking forward to the day they all go on without fuss though!

Get your bird used to letting you touch their wings and lifting their wings now, it'll help. Run your hand over their head and across their eyes and scratch the back of their neck, helps to desensitise for when you put the harness on.

 

[getwozzy]

I've taken a break from training with it, a month and got it on my Alex, and she was fine for 2mins then she just started to freak, so back to square one with her.
My conures are not fans of it either, still trying to get them to just touch it, they're very sketchy over new things, looking forward to the day they all go on without fuss though!

Get your bird used to letting you touch their wings and lifting their wings now, it'll help. Run your hand over their head and across their eyes and scratch the back of their neck, helps to desensitise for when you put the harness on.

Jackie is VERY sketchy of new things, so I think it will take quite a while....but I would love it, and I know HE would love going out n about with me.

He let's me scratch anywhere on his head, neck, under his beak, eyes, just wherever...I'll have to work on touching his wings though.

 

[getwozzy]

I'm confused with sizing though...I think they have 2 different sizes for amazons, depending if it's a small or large amazon. I'm not quite sure how to gauge Jackie's size other than trying to weigh him on my food scale lol

 

[Remy]

All I Know is that Darcy unlatches his Feather Tether like 2 minutes. I just have to stick with wing clipping for him. =P

 

[Nocturnal]

I just got one for my caique. I already have her sticking her head through it to get pecans. Just gotta work on it a bit more.

All I Know is that Darcy unlatches his Feather Tether like 2 minutes. I just have to stick with wing clipping for him. =P

The beauty of the aviator is that it has no clips so is impossible to unlatch :3 check out videos on YouTube to see how it works :3

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I'm confused with sizing though...I think they have 2 different sizes for amazons, depending if it's a small or large amazon. I'm not quite sure how to gauge Jackie's size other than trying to weigh him on my food scale lol

Weigh him and see what species on the package he is simar too. Is he similar in size to a CAG or blue front? Or closer in size to a Lilac crowned amazon, goffins, or galah?

 

[getwozzy]

I'm confused with sizing though...I think they have 2 different sizes for amazons, depending if it's a small or large amazon. I'm not quite sure how to gauge Jackie's size other than trying to weigh him on my food scale lol

Weigh him and see what species on the package he is simar too. Is he similar in size to a CAG or blue front? Or closer in size to a Lilac crowned amazon, goffins, or galah?

Average weight for a Tucuman is 300-340 grams, and I think that would be the smaller one....but now I'm curious how much he actually weighs lol

 

[SandyBee]

I got Bosley the medium appropriate for his size, he is a Double Yellow Head weighing in at 490 grams. When I watched some training DVD's it also said that sometimes it is easier to start with 1 larger as it is easier to put on. I wish I had and might still get the larger size. This helps them get used to it and all I need it for is to take him out in public, I really don't expect that he will want to fly with it on outside.

 

[getwozzy]

I got Bosley the medium appropriate for his size, he is a Double Yellow Head weighing in at 490 grams. When I watched some training DVD's it also said that sometimes it is easier to start with 1 larger as it is easier to put on. I wish I had and might still get the larger size. This helps them get used to it and all I need it for is to take him out in public, I really don't expect that he will want to fly with it on outside.

Good point sandy....I think I'll get the next size up, but I still need to weigh him. I don't expect him to fly around in it, I just want to be able to take him places with me. I am letting his flight feathers grow out though, so it'll be a bonus if he does decide he wants to fly

 

[SandyBee]

I let Bosley's flight feathers come in and he is flying in the house, I love it.
I still think that even if I get him outside in the harness it would be a good long time before he would fly if ever outside. I take him out on the deck or in the backyard in a travel cage though and he loves listening to the birds and soaking up some rays.
I also have taken him to the pet store and the park in the travel cage.

 

[getwozzy]

I let Bosley's flight feathers come in and he is flying in the house, I love it.
I still think that even if I get him outside in the harness it would be a good long time before he would fly if ever outside. I take him out on the deck or in the backyard in a travel cage though and he loves listening to the birds and soaking up some rays.
I also have taken him to the pet store and the park in the travel cage.

I'd love it if Jackie figured out how to fly around...but I might have an issue with him dive bombing hubby lol
What kind of travel cage do you have?

 

[josiesmom]

Hi,
I've been using the aviator harness for Josie for about a year. She loves that she can go outside with it and that is the key to getting them into it if the don't really want to. I drape mine around my neck for a few days while playing with her, then had her on her stand and went outside where she can see me with the harness. I just keep telling her that she needs to put it on to go outside and gave lots of treats when she did. I just recently got a bigger harness and then sent purple instead of blue and since it didn't really matter to me, I didn't send it back. Apparently, she doesn't like purple because she put up a fight before putting it on. I actually laid the harness out on the floor and then laid her on her back so that I can just slip it over her head. This worked much better and she didn't give me any trouble at all after that. She LOVES to be outside. The work that you will put into getting your fid used to the idea of the harness is well worth it in the end. Enjoy!

 

[josiesmom]

I forgot to mention sizing....bigger is better in my opinion. The harness is so adjustable that if it is bigger, you will just have more of a lead and the bird will still be secure.

 

[LakeDesire]

I believe tucuman amazons are on the smaller end of the amazon size range, so you'd probably want the harness for lilac crown, white-fronted, red-crowned amazons, etc. You could also call My Safe Bird store and ask for a size recommendation--they helped me pick out a harness over the phone.