Early morning Photo Shoot (Macaw Version)

[Buzz2537]

Beautiful shot Wendy! Hard to pick my favorite.

 

[Macawlover12]

Wendy,
I noticed you don't clip your macaw's wings. I also do not want Kali's wings clipped. Do you have any techniques or training ideas to help control or limit her flight? I don't mind her flying place to place but I also want to limit her ability to hurt herself. Mainly flying into things or windows. I would love even more to train her when and where its appropriate to fly. I have a feeling i'm in for a challenge but I don't want to take away her ability to fly. Any suggestions would be great. Thank you!

 

[Betrisher]

What a beautiful spectacle to get up to! Ripley and Niko are a great example of how the right care and diet results in a healthy, outgoing bird. They're a credit to you, Wendy.

They're also hilarious and would fit into my family perfectly! Fancy hoisting poor Sam in the air by his leg!? I bet his life passed before his eyes. My favourite was the bit where Ripley was rubbing his beak on your countertop: Dommie does exactly the same thing on mine! In fact, he and the Beaks send their cheeriest good-morning squawks to all your boys - and so do I.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Wendy,
I noticed you don't clip your macaw's wings. I also do not want Kali's wings clipped. Do you have any techniques or training ideas to help control or limit her flight? I don't mind her flying place to place but I also want to limit her ability to hurt herself. Mainly flying into things or windows. I would love even more to train her when and where its appropriate to fly. I have a feeling i'm in for a challenge but I don't want to take away her ability to fly. Any suggestions would be great. Thank you!

My best advice would be persistence. :30: There were times when they were both ALL over the place. The "bad" thing with 2 is that one would fly, and the other would follow. The hardest part was/is trying to teach them to stay on the Java trees instead of constantly flying over to their cages AND to the Amazons' cages.

I remedied that by attaching a sheer shower curtain in the doorway that leads to the bird room. No, it's not very pretty, but it's serving its purpose. Niko has learned he can literally fly right through it, but he now very seldomly does so.

I'm sure Kali will be following you around like a puppy dog. :54: I'd start off with "stationing" her. You place her where you want her to be, step back, stay back briefly, praise her and give her a treat. (clickers come in handy, too). Next time stay back for a longer time. Then distance yourself from her further. Praise, praise and praise when she stays put.

I've also learned that it helps if I change the toys on the Java trees. When they have something new to explore, they pay more attention to a new toy than where Mommy is going, at least for a while.

 

[Macawlover12]

Ripley is so beautiful and graceful taking flight... I have loved watching your videos and other post on youtube.

I will try my best to train her. I set up several play stand in different parts of the house, so she can hang out wherever I am. I have gotten a lot of people saying I should clip her wings and that by not doing so that I am endangering her. It shakes me a little but I do feel like those dangers are preventable. In my opinion it comes down to supervision (as you would with a child) and common sense (like not turning on ceiling fans, leaving toilet seats up, having her out with a stove on, etc) I also see the point people are trying to make about clipping... I just feel like just because she is my pet in captivity, that she still deserves her natural ability to fly and would be good for her mental state. I guess it just comes down to a persons preferences.
Thanks again for the advice

 

[RavensGryf]

Wendy! Those are some really gorgeous birds you have! Thanks for showing them off.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I can tell you this about Niko: He was 4 months when he came to live with me. I had asked the breeder not to clip him, but she clipped him anyway. Niko was THE clumsiest baby in the world when he tried flapping his (clipped) wings. I can't even begin to tell you how many blood feathers he broke as he was "trying" to regrow some flight feathers.

I was SO sad and often SO worried that he'd never learn to fly. He took his first "successful" flight when he was 3 years old!!! He hasn't broken a blood feather since. He's no longer clumsy, on the contrary.

Now Ripley was also trimmed when I picked him up last year in January. He was already 18 months old, and within a few months all his flights had grown in. He is an excellent flyer.

Could you ask Kali's breeder to get her used to a flight harness while she's so young? It will make a world of a difference. I've tried and continue to try to get mine used to one, but I have yet to have any luck. They are both terrified of it. They've destroyed 2! And I SO want to take them out when it gets warmer.

Another thing, once Kali is home, have her get used to you touching her wings, opening them and closing them without having her object or even think twice. That way IF you ever want to give her just a baby trim, you can do it yourself.

 

[Macawlover12]

One of the first things I asked the breeder was if she did flight harness training, sadly she does not. She told me with having so many babies that she would not have the time. I completely understand where she is coming from. I hope i have better luck with the harness. I have not asked the breeder not to clip her wings yet, I was planning to ask her on my next visit. I hope she will grant my request. She does allow them to take flight before the wings are clipped, so at least Kali will have some experience with flight, if she does clip her wings.
Poor Niko, I am glad he learned to fly and has become more balanced when he did. Ripley looks like he is a very confident boy You have very beautiful and happy birds. They are lucky to have such a great mom!

 

[crimson]

how did I miss this? Wendy you are forever complimenting everyone on their birds....well now it's your turn.

I cannot get over how they shimmer, they literally gleam when the light hits them.
their feathers are perfect, they are thriving in your stellar attentive care.

they glow with happiness from all the love and attention you give them, you should be truly proud of taking care of Ripley & Niko, in the manner that you have.

I LOVE every photo, they are just stunning!!!

btw, I noticed in one of your photos you have GRASS....I am totally jealous, haha.

 

[JerseyWendy]

We had another photo shoot yesterday.... took LOTS of pictures...... :54:
Ripley is molting pretty heavy at the moment, so please excuse the raggedy look.

 

[thekarens]

They both look great!

 

[Dopey]

They are so beautiful.

 

[Zirstonas]

Beautiful birds!

 

[labell]

Wow! what raggedy, they are both so amazing looking! Your love and care shows in all your birds Wendy. They always look beautiful and well loved!

 

[Anansi]

Gorgeous pics, Wendy!!! Even while molting, Ripley is still a stunner! And Niko's plumage looks flawless! What obviously happy and well-cared for birds. It's a joy to see.

 

[Minimaker]

Lovely, your birds look very good! I hope Sailor's feathers get better in time, she looks so tatty in her longer feathers. She came to us like that, how long does it take them to start molting?

Your blue and gold is gorgeous. We hope to get one in a few years if all goes well with our greenwing. How do you find their personalities differ? Are they much different in behavior?

 

[Allee]

Ohhh Wendy! It's always pure joy to see new photos of Ripley and Niko, they are pure eye candy! They are obviously so loved and well cared for! Please, never hesitate to share.

 

[JerseyWendy]

... She came to us like that, how long does it take them to start molting?

Your blue and gold is gorgeous. We hope to get one in a few years if all goes well with our greenwing. How do you find their personalities differ? Are they much different in behavior?

Ripley only molts heavy once a year. His head currently resembles a pin cushion. During this time he gets more frequent baths and daily mistings.

Niko & Ripley aren't all that different, no. I'd say Ripley is more laid back than Niko. I can honestly plop Ripley onto anyone willing to hold him, and have no worries he'll bite. Niko goes to strangers, too, but he's a bit more skittish. He'd rather flee than bite - that goes for both of them.

Here are a few (crappy) photos of my youngest son playing with them:



Yup, he can be trusted on the shoulder (unless you're wearing jewelry or hair accessories - those will be removed)

 

[Constantine]

thanks for sharing, magnificent birds!!!!

 

[Sunset_Chaser]

Wow!! GREAT pics!