Birds Walking

[gracebowen]

I know this shows how little I know. Also sometimes it's hard to tell tone from text. Why are birds walking? I know it means they are clipped but my fid is clipped and he can still fly. He flies in short bursts but is able to fly at least 8 feet up and 20 feet over. Maybe more but that is the estimated size of my room. Just curious.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'm not entirely sure I understand your question. Are you wondering why some birds prefer to 'walk' over 'flying', or are you asking why birds walk in general (clipped or unclipped)?

All of mine are currently flighted, however, every single one of them walks all over the Java trees rather than flying from perch to perch. They walk when doing short distance, but use their wings if they want to go further. Did that make any sense? :30:

 

[gracebowen]

It seems from a few of the posts that some birds cannot fly at all. Maybe I am misunderstanding.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Usually when birds are clipped they're still able to fly short bursts, although Kiwiberry could barely fly when I got her. She's a great flyer now, she's exercised her wing muscles on top of her cage, and now they're starting to grow back as well. She's pretty much able to fly around the entire apartment now.

I do love it when they walk though, even better when they run, it's the cutest thing!

 

[JerseyWendy]

It seems from a few of the posts that some birds cannot fly at all. Maybe I am misunderstanding.

Yes, unfortunately there are some birds that have been so severely clipped that they drop like a hot potato when they try. Luckily they will replace those flight feathers after a few good molts. Hard clips like that are quite dangerous as a bird that drops to the ground like this can severely injure itself upon impact. Clips like that are also entirely unnecessary.

 

[Taw5106]

I think too some birds have been in cages so they may not be able to fly due to the flight muscles being built up. Buddy is 24 yo, fully flighted and he's a good flier but he does short bursts. He prefers to walk short distances, when he flies its 15 feet or more, like to the kitchen.

 

[RavensGryf]

It seems from a few of the posts that some birds cannot fly at all. Maybe I am misunderstanding.

There are also instances where birds like my Robin was not fledged (given the opportunity to learn to fly as a baby at the normal age to do so) before the breeder clipped and took him to the bird store where I bought him. This was many years ago, and many responsible breeders today will let their babies fledge and learn to fly well before clipping for the first time. In many species this is essential for a mentally healthy start in life. It didn't affect Robin psychologically, but in many larger or more sensitive species it can.

Consequently, never having fledged, flight or attempting to fly is not "second nature" like it is to a parrot who learned how... Someone else here has a bird who I forgot the reason, but also doesn't fly and doesn't seem to have interest in it. I might also add that Robin and this other bird are completely happy and well adjusted. It's unusual, but it happens.

 

[Scott]

All of my birds are flighted, but their propensity to fly varies. The Goffins are most inclined, while the Citrons rarely take to wing.

For those who engage in both flying and walking, it would seem they make a judgment based on need and desire.

 

[veimar]

My birds are flighted, and they almost never walk - just some short runs over the table maybe... It probably depends of the species. My tiel is clipped (I had to do this because of the safety reasons) but can fly, and he just HATES to walk! He would just sit there or fly, and he only walks to my hand less that 3 feet if he flies off too far, or otherwise he will either fly back or just sit there and scream until I pick him up! So it all depends.

 

[Jayeh]

Both my cockatoos walked all the time when they were younger, now the one I have left NEVER leaves the cage! Maybe they're more curious when they're young? It's cute, but they make a huge mess of shreds with your furniture!

 

[Jayyj]

Alice walks and climbs everywhere - flight is strictly reserved for getting out of danger quickly.

Watching wild ring necks going about their business, although they're exceptional fliers I notice when they're in a tree canopy they climb from branch to branch where other wild birds would fly, just as Alice does in her Java tree or moving about the cage.

I also vividly remember as a child watching a hapless demonstrator at a falconry centre trying to convince a group of griffon vultures it would be nice if they could stop charging about the arena on foot and show us their flying skills: 'Look mate, you're on the ground, we're on the ground, we all know you're going to put some food down as soon as we take off so how's about we miss out the pantomime and make with the dead stuff straightaway?'! So parrots aren't the only accomplished fliers who will happily stay grounded given the opportunity...