(Can I) clip his wings (myself)?

[lorika]

Hi everyone!

My lorikeet has been clipped shortly after he started flying. We did some basic training with him before we clipped him, like flying downwards and flying towards us, but he was still VERY young and not a very good flyer, so we decided to clip him just to make sure he wouldn't fly into the windows or something like that.

Now my partner and I have bought a house and will be moving in at the beginning of June. Loki's flight feathers have been coming in and I've considered letting them, since it seems so me that clipping a bird should be a last resort. I've tried to teach him what windows are, by sometimes moving around the house with him, moving him close to the window and tapping my finger and/or his beak against it, and saying "Glass!".
He doesn't really seem to get it.

Just now we were playing on the bed and he suddenly flew right into the large bedroom window. Luckily he wasn't hurt, but this makes me think that it might be wise to clip his wings at least one more time. That way, we can get some more this-is-a-window-training until after we move, so he can get used to the new surroundings.

When I went to the vet to have him clipped last time though, I thought he clipped Loki rather extremely; poor birdie would plummet to the floor. I don't want that for him; I want him to at least be able to perform a somewhat-graceful landing, where it doesn't sound as though he may hurt himself

So... long story short... Can I clip his wings myself? Which feathers should be clipped and how far?

Thank you so much in advance <3

 

[wrench13]

Teaching a bird about glass? Can this be done?? I have curtains ( light sheer ones but still visible ) on all the windows on the first floor.

Re-self clipping, I am not that brave or willing to put Salty's life in my hands like that.
His first clipping will done by my Av Vet.

 

[wingsNthings]

As far as I know, you can clip him yourself, AS LONG AS YOU KNOW WHAT YOURE DOING! And to solve his falling like a rock, just clip a few less feathers.

And to Wrench13, I have seen parrots on YouTube that were taught to know about windows, and also read about it in (I think) Parrots for Dummies.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Yes, trimming wings is quite easily done with some confidence and steady hands. If you absolutely MUST clip, I'd do the absolute minimum. Pummeling to the floor is certainly an indicator that it was a severe clip. Injuries can happen when those are done.

Proper Wing Clipping
Tutorial on Trimming Wings | Parrot Parrot

 

[lorika]

Thank you very much, everyone. I've read a lot about wing clipping and last time the vet did it, I filmed it very carefully and asked questions so that I could see exactly what he did. As long as my boyfriend will help me hold him, I think I will give it a go - and clip WAY less than the vet did... If I do that, I think it should be okay. Probably better than if I take him to the vet again...

 

[plumsmum2005]

Thank you very much, everyone. I've read a lot about wing clipping and last time the vet did it, I filmed it very carefully and asked questions so that I could see exactly what he did. As long as my boyfriend will help me hold him, I think I will give it a go - and clip WAY less than the vet did... If I do that, I think it should be okay. Probably better than if I take him to the vet again...

IMO if you are paying and it is your bird, you tell him how much to clip! OK?

 

[Mariar]

I have always done my own nail and wing clipping. But I agree with plumsmum, if your paying for a clip ,you have the right to tell them how much to clip.

 

[SailBoat]

Never hear of an Avian Vet cutting wings that poorly. Worth double-checking whether your Vet is truly Avian qualified!

As stated well by others, the number of feathers cut determine its ability to fly. There are a couple of different types of 'Professional' cuts: i.e. Show Cuts, which maintain the outer most (cutting / flash) wing feathers. In all cases, its is the outer feathers, commonly referred to as Primary Feathers that are cut. Never cut Secondary wing feathers. If you do not know the difference, you are not even close to being ready to cut wing feathers.

Agree fully with other members that the Vet should have asked how many primary feathers you wanted cut (type of cut). The fact that you had not been asked is the bases for my questioning your Vet's qualifications!

 

[Chelsea304]

I refused to allow a full clip and told them exactly how many feathers to clip on my CAG. They looked at me like I was crazy for wanting a light clip but I wanted her to still be able to glide.

You should always be able to tell them exactly what you want. ☺

I'm not brave enough to clip wings or do nails on my own but good luck learning how to do it! It'll save some money.

 

[RavensGryf]

Also I feel I have to mention, especially on strongly flighted birds or light birds, you will find a real slight wing clip might not do much. It will subtly change the maneuverability and distance, but when my Pionus who is a chunky bodied bird had a slight clip, he could still fly pretty darn well and far. He's flighted now, but imo he was still flighted even when he was clipped lol.

Do heed the warning to not clip too much, but not enough is also not worth doing if it doesn't ground them as much as you are expecting. How about this... Try clipping the slightest amount at a time. Not enough? Do a tiny bit more, and so on until you have it just perfect . If it stresses the bird too much, do this gradually on different days.