Flapping lessons..

[AmyMyBlueFront]

...Amy and I are still doing flap flap lessons..I have noticed recently that he is showing more effort in waving his arms. Prior to being diagnosed with his heart troubles it seemed like he was half-heartedly flapping. Tonight as we practiced he really went to town waving. His arms were held up higher and his waving was more intense. I'm thinking that the heart med is really making him feel much better/energetic.
I remember before my dbl-bypass I had zero enthusiasm or energy..I guess that's how the poor green dino must have been feeling too



Jim

 

[texsize]

I know I should do this with Bingo but he would be a danger to my wife if he could fly.
Bingo tolerates my son but if I take him out when my wife is around he almost runs in her direction with blood on his mind.

Most of the time I only take him out when she is not around.

 

[SailBoat]

Great News Jim.
What you are saying is very likely contributing. In addition, as he adds strength into his muscle mass, the natural chemical release also add to overall enthusiasm. If you are not yet walking with him as he is flapping his wings, it time to add that to the process.

As you see his interests increase, you need to start 'hearing' his rested heart rate prior to starting and after he is completed. As the length of the practice increases, you will want to add rest points and more importantly, time to 'hear' his heart rate.
Remember back a year or so ago when in another of your Threads, I had recommended the CAV physical prior to starting and practicing placing his chest against your ear. The last thing you want is to push too far too soon.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Great News Jim.
What you are saying is very likely contributing. In addition, as he adds strength into his muscle mass, the natural chemical release also add to overall enthusiasm. If you are not yet walking with him as he is flapping his wings, it time to add that to the process.

As you see his interests increase, you need to start 'hearing' his rested heart rate prior to starting and after he is completed. As the length of the practice increases, you will want to add rest points and more importantly, time to 'hear' his heart rate.
Remember back a year or so ago when in another of your Threads, I had recommended the CAV physical prior to starting and practicing placing his chest against your ear. The last thing you want is to push too far too soon.

Yes Steven I remember. I think that was a reason that I didn't do as much sessions that I could have,I was worried I'd do more harm than good And now,at his latest check up his doc said his heart and lungs sounded good,for the condition he has. I am taking it easy however,he does about 15 flap flaps in a session and I let him rest for a spell. tonight I did walk down the hall while we practiced and I could tell he had a good grip on the perch stick.

I will be taking it easy on him though,but offer Amy a few more sessions per day and also try to hear his heart (without getting chomped on )


Jim

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I know I should do this with Bingo but he would be a danger to my wife if he could fly.
Bingo tolerates my son but if I take him out when my wife is around he almost runs in her direction with blood on his mind.

Most of the time I only take him out when she is not around.

It must be an Amazon thing Wes...years ago Amy would literally chase my ex wife down the hall..rudder flaired,arms out wide,beaky open as far as it could go..I thought it was hilarious Debbie..ehhhh...not so much!


Jim

 

[HEEDLESS]

It's nice to see Amy is doing well on his flapping lessons.

You have made my hope up... I really want my Baby Kise could fly.
She is not fully feathers on her right wing/tail... Now the left wing/tail are almost there...
two more months to go for the left to fully feathers, and I hope I can teach her to fly...


I got this set from parrot wizard on the 25th.. it will arrive tomorrow; I'll go from there when she is fully feathers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0163MKB98/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1​

 

[Anita1250]

I try to do flapping with Sam every day. He really does love it, but still shows no interest in flying. Our vet always said it is because he was removed from the flock too early and never really learned about flying. When he does try to fly, he is so clumsy I get scared for him. If Amy does fly, how does he look?

 

[Kiwibird]

GO AMY!!! So glad she is finally starting to enjoy flapping. Even if she never learns to fly, daily flapping exercises are still far better than not moving her wings at all.

Kiwi was relatively young and in otherwise good health when we first started his flapping exercises and he still huffed and puffed to the point we wondered if he was going to be ok. Flight takes a lot of energy/work for a bird, not to mention they have to build their flight muscles if they've never before flown so I'm guessing you will see nothing but improvements in her 'workouts' from here on out

 

[Kiwibird]

I try to do flapping with Sam every day. He really does love it, but still shows no interest in flying. Our vet always said it is because he was removed from the flock too early and never really learned about flying. When he does try to fly, he is so clumsy I get scared for him. If Amy does fly, how does he look?

I have to wonder if this might be something BFAs are more prone to:33:? It seems quite a few people have gotten birds of other species who've never flown and successfully taught flight, but on this forum alone I know of at least 3 BFAs (and likely a few more if I poured over old threads) who've been given the opportunity to learn and flat refused (my own included).

 

[ChristaNL]

Oh, great reminder to monitor the heartrate!
(Sunny is nowhere near regular flapping yet but a girl can dream, right?)


Japie (grownup (re?) learning to fly here) was a true kamikaze pilot for at least 3-4 months and slowly improved, now 3 years on he can do turns on the spot, controlled landing and getting (sigh...) into all kinds of semi-inaccessable places (to boldly go where no parrot was meant to go / my poor books! and the garbage cans!). Flying is so much fun (at least from the parrots point of vieuw!).



So happy to read things have improved for Amy (and you as well).

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I try to do flapping with Sam every day. He really does love it, but still shows no interest in flying. Our vet always said it is because he was removed from the flock too early and never really learned about flying. When he does try to fly, he is so clumsy I get scared for him. If Amy does fly, how does he look?

Amy has no clue on how to fly. He has made a couple lame attempts,always when he got spooked from someone/something and even being fully clothed,the poor thing just thudded to the floor all sprawled out
He had his sleeves shortened when I got him from the breeder when he was just four months old,and I never let them grow all the way back in coz he was always going outside/for rides in my car or tractor-trailer. I always thought that for birdies it was a natural instinct to flap,I had no idea they needed to be taught! My mistake and now Amy is paying for it


Jim

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I try to do flapping with Sam every day. He really does love it, but still shows no interest in flying. Our vet always said it is because he was removed from the flock too early and never really learned about flying. When he does try to fly, he is so clumsy I get scared for him. If Amy does fly, how does he look?

I have to wonder if this might be something BFAs are more prone to:33:? It seems quite a few people have gotten birds of other species who've never flown and successfully taught flight, but on this forum alone I know of at least 3 BFAs (and likely a few more if I poured over old threads) who've been given the opportunity to learn and flat refused (my own included).

I agree 100% April! Amy would rather "walk" somewhere,or hitch a ride on me or her perch stick. I can't imagine how many miles she has on those little legs/feet in the almost thirty years lol.


Jim

 

[chris-md]

Jim; fantastic news!!

But now I feel compelled to play the part of mama bird kicking the fledge kiddos out of the nest for their own good:.

You’ve been doing the flapping now for how long? Feels like a year at least. Even if it’s been 6 months; I feel like you’ve long since gotten everything your gonna get from just flapping alone - unless it’s a fun bonding exercise. When are you gonna graduate and step up to the next level??

 

[SailBoat]

If you have had a chance to watch a young Parrot fledge, the remarkable take away is their total lack of the fear of falling /crashing. If they for whatever reason fail to learn to fly at this stage, the further they age, the more one will see them resist any attempt to flying. Years later, with the exception of being scared they come to a point that they refuse to fly.

Refledging an Adult Parrot requires an extended time (years) to first build the needed underlying strength to support flight (muscle, heart and air-sacks). Next, developing confidants in being able to land and more importantly land safely. And last, but not least, find their way safely around while flying.

Are BFA's more likely to refuse flying over other Amazons /Parrots. No! My friends have a wide cross-section of large Parrots and the non-flighted majority all have a fear of flying. The wide cross section of Amazons that have ruled our home have all shown this fear. Some learned to fly again, some never had enough time to be able.

Julio, our DYHA is a life long flyer and was only dropped rock status for about fourteen months. He is once again a strong flyer.

 

[Anita1250]

Sam did try to fly when he was a baby. I got him at 11 weeks, so he wasn't yet afraid. However, he did fly into a ceiling fan while it was going once. Scared the s**t out of me, so I clipped him for a while. Then, my OWA Rocky got out while being transported for 4 days in February in a NY winter. We were so lucky to get him back. That bird could fly with lift with totally clipped wings! All of the drama caused me to keep Sam clipped for way too long. I was young and stupid, so the poor baby never learned to fly.

I guess at 35, it is too late for him. He does enjoy his flapping lessons, though.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Jim; fantastic news!!

But now I feel compelled to play the part of mama bird kicking the fledge kiddos out of the nest for their own good:.

You’ve been doing the flapping now for how long? Feels like a year at least. Even if it’s been 6 months; I feel like you’ve long since gotten everything your gonna get from just flapping alone - unless it’s a fun bonding exercise. When are you gonna graduate and step up to the next level??

Ya Chris I started about a year ago I guess but I wasn't really consistent with it coz Amy didn't show the enthusiasm that he does now. He did seem like just being/doing something with dad one-on-one without Beebers being involved was good enough.

Now that he has pretty much got the ok from his CAV to start doing this I make it a point to do at least two sessions a day. Where will all this lead? I'm not sure. The ultimate goal is to see Amy do what he was created to do..FLY! If/when I see his very first flight it'll put a huge on my face,knowing I accomplished something good for him. After all his health IS the utmost importance!
So,for the time being,we will flap,I will monitor his heart as 'Boats mentioned,I have a real cool scale now to weigh them anytime I want,His/their diet is constantly being upgraded/worked on.

Even if Amy still shows no interest in zooming around the house like BB does (Lordy that would be a sight to see!) I'd still feel good knowing I helped in the quality of his life.


Jim

 

[HEEDLESS]

Hi Jim.

I am happy right now. My baby Kise did some progress last night and this morning for flapping/jumping from perch to my arm. Not far but in progress… *DANCES** It gets better… She is not afraid from falling. :35:

Go Amy GO!!!!!!!! You did WELL :35:
​

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Re:More on the flapping lessons..

...Today and tonight was more flapping. Tonight the session was "different" then the others,it's going to be hard to explain. You know the "sound" a birds wings make ( I'm going to use proper terminology with this post ) when they flap? Like a "whooshing" sound (for the proper word) like when they fly? Obviously it is more pronounced with a larger bird, i.e. Amazon or Grey,than it is with a Budgie or Cockatiel.
Tonight I heard a lot of whooshing I guess the harder they flap the louder the whoosh.

With previous sessions I didn't hear any whooshing so I figure that's when Amy was half-heartedly arm waving...errr I mean wing flapping
I've been trying to listen to her heart before and after these lessons but my hearing really sucks . I just might purchase a cheap-o stethoscope just for her lol.




Jim

 

[ChristaNL]

LOL, that is great Jim!


Yup I know what you mean, there is 'just flapping' and there is that "dry-flying" that almost sounds like a "ready to take off"
(Appie does that a lot lately: firmly clasping a twig, but flapping away like she it trying to lift herself AND the branch she is clinging on to --> getting rid of hormonal frustration the right way. She can fly like the best, but preferes this ...)

 

[kozykitty]

This thread is fascinating to me. Gloria (BFA) is 33 and we adopted her as a rehome 3 years ago. Her wings were clipped and our CAV said that I should allow them to grow back which has taken the full three years--she just has one feather in one wing to go. Anyway, she'll sometimes stand on top of her play yard and flap furiously which I've figured she just did for exercise. On rare occasion, she'll just take off and fly into the next room (our floor plan is pretty open where she lives) which is spectacular to see and terrifies the cats. I feel I need to work with her on landing. She pretty much stays on her cage top play yard but she has a rolling perch that I use to take her into other rooms. I've been trying to coax her to fly to it as I used to just roll it over to her to step on. Lately she's been lazy about doing so. She seems to have trouble judging the landing spot so I've been trying to move the perch a little farther away each time she flies to it but more than 4 feet or so, she won't do it. I'm wondering how you get Amy to flap!