Aviator harness

[RemiBird]

I am thinking of getting a harness for Remi so we can both enjoy our time in the backyard, now with Spring coming. I don't want a birdy flight suit, I am not fond of that, I am interested in a harness only.
Does anyone have good experience with that and what brand and size for a GCC?

 

[charmedbyekkie]

Oh goody! I love advocating for Aviator harnesses (I promise I'm not paid in any way ). Cairo and I go everywhere with his Aviator harness - walks at least every other day, some Cairo-friendly restaurants, friends outings, anything and everything! I am more than happy to walk through all the details of harness training (admittedly, Cairo picked up on it abnormally fast). And a lot of people have active threads about their ongoing harness training - go and poke around and pester them as well!! It's the best thing for Cairo, who used to be free-flight trained. He's getting so comfortable with being outside. And he's a much happier bird with the time spent outside and in new/interesting places.

As for the GCC specific part, I believe Sunnyclover might pop by to contribute

 

[RemiBird]

Thanks! I am not sure what size to get

 

[Owlet]

A GCC would need a petite (xxs)

 

[Flynhigh]

Yes as Owlet says the recommended size is petite but either my little guy has a fat head or the next size up would be better. However I have heard many other complaints about it fitting snugly over the head of GCC's because of there dimensions. My Grey's is perfect easy on easy off, I say this because if its a bad experience even one time... You know the story. My little guy put's his head right in for me BUT when were home and its time to come off, especially with pin feathers around the neck and head Huh! I'm now the evil jerk. @#$#^%$##sqwack@#&%$#Sqwack. Keep in mind my guys were very young when I taught them so there is absolutely no fear of the harness but if the head opening was even slightly bigger it would be perfect.

 

[RemiBird]

Yes as Owlet says the recommended size is petite but either my little guy has a fat head or the next size up would be better. However I have heard many other complaints about it fitting snugly over the head of GCC's because of there dimensions. My Grey's is perfect easy on easy off, I say this because if its a bad experience even one time... You know the story. My little guy put's his head right in for me BUT when were home and its time to come off, especially with pin feathers around the neck and head Huh! I'm now the evil jerk. @#$#^%$##sqwack@#&%$#Sqwack. Keep in mind my guys were very young when I taught them so there is absolutely no fear of the harness but if the head opening was even slightly bigger it would be perfect.

Good to know! Thanks!
Still debating what to do. Remi is already about three years old, so I hope he is not too old to start learning about harness.
He is also on a smaller size for a GCC, so maybe petite size harness would fit him just fine.
I would love to be able to take him out for walks with me. My son and husband think it's funny and a bit strange.

 

[Flynhigh]

No matter the age its a Great ! idea. You will have to be very patient with him and baby steps. Favorite treats only for this trick , allow him to play with it when your training other things no chewing of course or that will start bigger issues but once the fear is gone then you can start entire process of wearing it. As far as the rolling eyes ,Lol! That's human nature, most people think its really cool when they see parrots on harnesses and ultimately it is what the bird needs . Sunshine.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

 

[EllenD]

A GCC would need a petite (xxs)

Actually my Green Cheek wears a size "Extra-Small" Aviator Harness, not an "Extra-Extra Small"; I have only one size double extra-small Aviator Harness, and the only birds I have that it fits are my Budgies (would probably also fit a Parrotlet), but it is way too small for Bowie, my Green Cheek...

I have several Aviator Harnesses, all are size single "Extra-Small", and Bowie (Green Cheek Conure), Duff (Cockatiel), Lita (Quaker Parrot), and up until he put on a bit of weight around his mid-section Kane (Senegal Parrot) all wear the same size, an Extra-Small; the Budgies, both American and English, wear the double "Extra-Extra Small"...I actually just ordered a size "Small" for Kane because the Extra-Small was getting tight on him...But there is no way that an "Extra-Extra Small" would ever fit Bowie (he's a male Yellow-Sided Green Cheek who ways right around 78-85 grams at any given time, so he's not a huge Greeen Cheek or anything)...The Aviator Harnesses have quite a bit of adjustment to them, so the Extra-Small actually gives them all a nice bit of adjustment for weight-changes and among my different species that make-up my flock...But I wouldn't order an Extra-Extra Small for any Green Cheek Conure, Crimson Bellied Conure, Black-Capped Conure, etc., because even at it's full adjustment to it's largest size, an Extra-Exatra Small wouldn't even go on Bowie, let alone be comfortable or allow him to move...

I'll also just put in my vote for the Aviator Harness to be the best parrot Harness/Leash available (BY-FAR!). I have seen a lot of different bird harnesses over the years (most of them I don't even know the brand or model name of, as they come in to the Rescue with birds that are surrendered in their belongings that their owners send with them), and none of them are as easy to get on the bird, tighten or loosen while already on the bird, or are seemingly as comfortable for the bird while they're wearing them...The Aviator Harnesses are also the SAFEST harnesses out there in their design, as there is no way that they could possibly strangle or choke a bird, and most-importantly they won't ever cause your bird to be "Yanked-Backwards", because they are actually made to allow your bird to be able to fly while wearing them and being attached to the end of the leash. I am able to run alongside of both Bowie and Kane when they are wearing their Aviator Harnesses and have them fly right along with me (Duff and Lita don't get it, we've tried, lol)..But what's great and most-important is that they will simply glide safely and calmly to the ground whenever they stop flying, so they never get "yanked", choked, hung, etc. And of course they are attached to them around their entire body, as opposed to having the point of attachement be one particular body-part or area like their neck, leg, foot, wings, etc., which always cause injury and even death. So the Aviator Harness gets my full vote!

 

[ChristaNL]

If the size chart on the website is no help at all (species and weights)... just drop him an email


Sunny is ridiculously robust for a B&G and was exactly posed between 2 sizes according to the charts at that time, so I took a deep breath (I am not really that brave approaching perfect strangers by mail and I was feeling rather stupid) and just asked the maker/ creator for advise.
He replayed to my email really fast with some great advise!

 

[Owlet]

The size chart lists petite as being the appropriate size for a GCC, but every GCC is gonna be slightly different in size so best to email/call them if you're unsure.

Ellen, I have the petite for my cockatiel and though i haven't been able to get it on him it appears it would fit him just fine. Are you thinking of the xxxsmall that is designed for lovebirds and parrotlets?

 

[RemiBird]

https://www.chewy.com/aviator-bird-harness-leash/dp/170195
Is this the one? Is xx-small the appropriate size for a GCC?

 

[Flynhigh]

Also try, theparrotuniversity.com they are the manufacturer of the Aviator harness, Steve is a great guy and offers great products.

 

[RemiBird]

Also try, theparrotuniversity.com they are the manufacturer of the Aviator harness, Steve is a great guy and offers great products.

Thank you for the info!
Went on their website and ordered one this morning
I went with Petite size as recommended on their chart. So we'll see if it fits. If not, we'll switch.

 

[john8terry]

I am thinking of getting a harness for Remi so we can both enjoy our time in the backyard, now with Spring coming. I don't want a birdy flight suit, I am not fond of that, I am interested in a harness only.

Does anyone have good experience with that and what brand and size for a GCC?

Consuela, my QP, and I are working on her accepting the harness. A week into it, we are still in the "best-two-of-three falls" phase. A big boat-load of patience, praise, praise, and then more praise, and rewards for not struggling seem to be the way to go. I have avoided the "HOLD STILL BIRD!" technique. We are at the head and one wing level. Stay tuned, True Believers!

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

 

[RemiBird]

I am thinking of getting a harness for Remi so we can both enjoy our time in the backyard, now with Spring coming. I don't want a birdy flight suit, I am not fond of that, I am interested in a harness only.

Does anyone have good experience with that and what brand and size for a GCC?

Consuela, my QP, and I are working on her accepting the harness. A week into it, we are still in the "best-two-of-three falls" phase. A big boat-load of patience, praise, praise, and then more praise, and rewards for not struggling seem to be the way to go. I have avoided the "HOLD STILL BIRD!" technique. We are at the head and one wing level. Stay tuned, True Believers!

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

LOL, I hope I don't lose my arm in the process. I would love to take him in the backyard on the leash Gonna keep you posted.