he doesn't know he can fly

[Blue_star]

I have a make ekkie about 5 years old. I have had him for about 8 months, and I don't think he knows he can fly. I have not clipped his wings since I got him. he has had several opportunities like when he is on the kitchen counter and wants to be with me across the room instead of flying to me he will glide to the floor and walk the rest of the way. he should be able to fly, I just don't think he knows he can. has anyone else had this happen?

 

[weco]

If a bird is not allowed to fly/fledge when it is young, they may never learn to fly, instead, like yours, they walk to where they want to go.....

Since I have never had a bird that could not fly, I do not have any suggestions about teaching him to fly.....

 

[BillsBirds]

I once had a Pineapple Conure that never flew, in the 8 years that he lived with me. I was his third owner, so had no knowledge of his youth or experience. But, he had many opportunities to fly, but, never would. He also walked & climbed everywhere. Or would just stand there, calling & begging to be picked up. Vet checks showed nothing wrong with his wings. He just wouldn't, or couldn't, fly. More than once, he climbed up to the top of vertical blinds, almost to ceiling, and I had to climb up and get him. He'd just stand there and call & screech.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

My friend has a blue and gold who doesn't know how to fly. A bird who never fledged will never be as skilled as a bird who did. fleging is a vital time for a bird to learn how to ascend and descend, as well as turn sharply. You can gently toss them onto a soft surface like a bed to help them learn, but it can damage the trust they have in you.

A bird who simply doesn't have the muscle only needs exercise. I Had my galah fly to a chair when she was just starting to get her finger feathers in. After many months of exercise and helping her to re learn how to use her wings she is now a very capable of flier. She is able to fly up and down(although down is a little harder), and can turn on a dime and even hover.

This is her flying for the fourth time, with only two finger feathers. you can see my hand in the background(I was using a timer to get the photo)

 

[sodakat]

You haven't clipped his wings, but 8 months may not be long enough for a complete molt so *if* he was clipped in the last year or so he may still have some clipped primaries.

If all his primaries are indeed intact, have him fly shorter distances like suggested ^^ by Copperarabian. Once he's confident doing short flights he'll be more likely to fly farther.

My Rose was not allowed to fledge and we (foolishly) kept her clipped the first couple years we had her when living aboard our sailboat because we thought it was safer.

She now flies but does still do some floor walking. She does "automatically" fly from cage top to ropes hanging in the bird room whereas years ago she would have thought about it for along time before taking off. I think they can reprogram themselves to a degree but probably are never as good at flying as they would be if they had always flown.

 

[lpolliard]

It is pretty much the same story with Chico. He can fly but prefers to glide to the ground and walk to where he wants to go. I doubt he ever has been flighted. It has been over 16 months since he was last clipped and he still has four primaries which have not regrown. He is harness trained. I started him out by tossing him up in the air from the top of my hand vertically. He would have to flap his wings to land back on my hand. Over time I shifted to tossing him like a pigeon. I would flipping him over and wrap my hands around him. Then I would throw him with both hands out in the air and he would flap to the ground. Now I am directing him toward a split rail fence to give him experience on landing on a sturdy perch. Rather then having to toss him I just have to turn him away from me on my hand and sort of lift his tail section off my hand and he will fly to the rail. When I have a second person he will fly from one person to the other with a little prodding. Its been slow building his confidence and he has yet to initiate flight on his own unless it is toward my bed and the oak cabinets he thinks is his roost. He never seemed over stressed with this process. I believe he enjoys getting outside for his lessons. He is getting great exercise and eventually I am confident he will start to recall.