Clipped wings - how much?

[nikkiscriv]

My Illiger's macaw is 4 months old, and his wings were lightly clipped by his breeder before coming home. They're clipped enough that he can't fly up, but he can still glide quite a distance and he is able to get a little lift from the ground.

My concern is that his breeder allowed him on her shoulder, so this is where Ozzy wants to be if at all possible. If he's on my shoulder he is a happy camper and content to cuddle for quite some time. He will also perch nicely on my arm, but if he gets distracted or feels adventurous he will sometimes fly from my shoulder to another part of the room.
I think there are a few things going on based on my initial observations (taking into consideration that we've only had him for 10 days)

1- I know he enjoys being on my shoulder - he is very affectionate and cuddles into my neck. However I also think he is still insecure and feels safer there, and I don't want to reinforce that.
2- It seems to me that he is able to glide much further than is safe. He has flown into our glass sliding door once already - not hard, but enough to scare me.
3- Since he's young and I still haven't established myself as his owner, I think the independence gained from being able to "fly" when being asked to do things he doesn't want (not perch on my shoulder for example) is detrimental to his training and bonding.

So, my question is - for smaller birds is it natural for them to be able to glide pretty far and this is something he will grow out of or would you clip the wings a bit more to restrict the ability to fly?

 

[JJones1719]

Both my boys are clipped. Even clipped, you have to still be careful as they can glide but cannot fly upwards. I take my boys to my Aviary Vet and for $27.00 for both my boys and their nails trimmed is a deal.
As far as birds on the shoulder, My Eclectus wants no part of my shoulder while my GW Macaw wants nothing more to be on my shoulder and close to me.
He is now 4 years old and very much still a baby in his mind. yes, he is spoiled rotten. He feels safe there and if he is playing on my couch and it nervous about something, he heads for the hills to my shoulder.
It's really up to you if you want him there or not or he may just one day not want anything to do with your shoulder. Best of luck Joe

 

[cdog]

Why would you want to restrict a birds ability to fly? It is a natural thing for them to fly and I cant see any reason for clipping their wings. You can still train them when they are able to fly but it is just harder.

 

[nikkiscriv]

Why would you want to restrict a birds ability to fly? It is a natural thing for them to fly and I cant see any reason for clipping their wings. You can still train them when they are able to fly but it is just harder.

It may be natural for birds to fly, but what is natural about them living indoors with humans?

I clip my birds' wings for the same reasons most people decide to clip wings. Most importantly the bird's safety - I have a glass sliding door he has already flown into, and I also have large dogs. While I trust my dogs with my birds when I'm around, I would be devastated if something were to happen to one of them if they were able to get out of my sight and into a tricky situation.

Plus we spend a lot of time outdoors - I live in Texas (which means HEAT) and we spend a lot of time by the pool under the misters in our backyard. I keep the birds harnessed to ensure they can't get too far and they LOVE bath time out there. I would never feel comfortable enough to have a flighted bird outdoors.

 

[Safira]

I am not sure about smaller birds, I would think 6 to 10 flight feathers maybe? I do 5 to 6 for my larger macaw. I agree on the saftey thing, all it takes is one mistake or door left open.

 

[Spiritbird]

Hope we do not get in a debate on wing clipping. Everyone has their opinion and it is a choice we all make. True there is nothing natural about a companion bird living in our homes. I wish we could make it more natural that would be so nice for them.
After molting my bird gets to fly indoors for a couple months and then she gets clipped. I only live in 600 sq. feet of space and it is very easy for a bird to hit the window or wall. Safety is the primary reason most of us clip wings.

 

[nikkiscriv]

Thank you, Safira.

There's no debate on wing clipping - I didn't ask whether or not to clip, I asked how much to. I completely respect and understand why people choose not to clip their birds.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

Hope we do not get in a debate on wing clipping.

As long as there are people involved, there will always be debate!

 

[lene1949]

Flighted birds will get to know the parameters of the house... and so will not get hurt, because they won't be flying into walls etc...

I don't think there could be much of a debate... Safety would be the factor... Kids coming in and out... the bird attacking people... If there are any safety issues, the bird should be clipped...

Fortunately I live alone, and can leave my birds flighted...

 

[lexx510]

Hope we do not get in a debate on wing clipping.

As long as there are people involved, there will always be debate!

No, there will not be!

LOL! Ain't that the truth!

 

[Pedro]

So, my question is - for smaller birds is it natural for them to be able to glide pretty far and this is something he will grow out of or would you clip the wings a bit more to restrict the ability to fly?

Yep smaller birds do need a few more flights clipped. The heaver the bird the less i clip.

I wouldn't worry to much about Ozzy perching on your shoulder providing you have the step-up command under control. I let my companion parrots on my shoulder as long as they will step-up as soon as i ask them to.

I cover all glass windows & doors when i have birds fly around the house as I don't clip any babies until they are sold & the new owner requires it.

 

[nikkiscriv]

Thank you all.

Ozzy's breeder didn't clip his wings until right before he came home, so that makes sense as to his tendency to want to fly a bit more.

I know perching on the shoulder is a controversial subject, but he is excellent with the step-up command so I've been letting him cuddle there some. He is so light compared to my Blue Front