I decided to let Jasper's flight feathers grow

[katie_fleming]

When I got Jasper I had the breeder give him a baby clip first (just before he was shipped to me, he was fully fledged prior), and also had the vet clip him after he molted for the first time. I live on the 11th floor in an apartment building and didn't want to risk him flying all over the place, especially in a smaller apartment.

The problem was he was dropping too fast. He could glide, but it seemed like too many feathers were clipped for the size of him. I talked with my vet about letting them all grow out next time and she said to see how he is, and if needed we could clip only 2 or 3.

I decided to let them ALL grow back in. He only has 2 more to go on each side. He's definitely noticed his ability to fly better as he's trying to more often than before.

He can fly from his cage to the other side of the living room (balcony door). Once in fact he flew right into the step of it Ouch.

My question is, what do I do now? Do I have to help flight train him? Where do I begin? While I don't necessarily want to encourage him too much, it's more for safety when he DOES fly so he doesn't crash land anymore.

Thanks

 

[chris-md]

Hi Katie, I am in your position. I can't take anymore of parkers hard landings. He will take off if startled but other than that won't fly. When he does fly he crash lands every time and it is a heart attack waiting to see where he lands and how he lands.

In the last week I have begun flight training Parker. For us it really begins with target training. Once he's target trained, target him between two training perches that are mere inches apart . He'll just step from one to the other. gradually over a week or two you can pull the perches farther and farther apart until he is flying between the two. If you want, I can make a video of what this looks like with Parker right now. He is still not actually flying between purchase. However we are about a foot apart so he is within a week or so of making his first flit, if you will.

 

[Loko]

Was he ever allowed to fledge properly? Fledging is a crucial part of a birds life both for their physical and mental well-being. Im assuming not since he was clipped from the beginning (which breeders should never do imo), but If the vet says its okay for him to fly, then search for threads on fledging or fledging an adult parrot. There is plenty of information on getting your guy his flight skills he was meant to have!

 

[katie_fleming]

@chris-md -- Are you using the stands you made yourself? I'm still unable to find a microphone stand that's a reasonable price But yes, heart attack for me as well every time. Hes broken too many tail feathers in the past. Is the method you're using like this? Jasper has been target trained since he was a baby so he's good to go

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaNavXN8HnM"]Rachel Blue and Gold Macaw - Teaching a Parrot to Flight Recall - YouTube[/ame]

@Loko - Yes, he was fully fledged before the clip. She only clipped him the day she shipped him to me. He was 4 months at the time, now 2.5 years. So its been a little while now! (Edited my OP so it's more clear)

 

[SailBoat]

When I got Jasper I had the breeder give him a baby clip first, and also had the vet clip him after he molted for the first time. I live on the 11th floor in an apartment building and didn't want to risk him flying all over the place, especially in a smaller apartment.

The problem was he was dropping too fast. He could glide, but it seemed like too many feathers were clipped for the size of him. I talked with my vet about letting them all grow out next time and she said to see how he is, and if needed we could clip only 2 or 3.

I decided to let them ALL grow back in. He only has 2 more to go on each side. He's definitely noticed his ability to fly better as he's trying to more often than before.

He can fly from his cage to the other side of the living room (balcony door). Once in fact he flew right into the step of it Ouch.

My question is, what do I do now? Do I have to help flight train him? Where do I begin? While I don't necessarily want to encourage him too much, it's more for safety when he DOES fly so he doesn't crash land anymore.

Thanks

Yet another Shameless Push for the the First Thread in the Amazon Forums (highlighted in light Blue) Titled: I Love Amazons ...

Look at either Page Four or Five for a Segment Titled: ReFledging An Adult Amazon. Swap-out Amazon an insert Jasper and it will work well for you! That Thread is getting large enough that it needs an Index added to it!

 

[katie_fleming]

Ok great! Thank you, I will have a look.

So the "issue" now is finding two stands to use for training. The Parrot Wizard ones would be the easiest, but exchange rate + shipping to Canada = almost $300 for me. Impossible

Maybe when I get home at Christmas I can check out some stores there for mic stands.

Good to know that the flight training now will be necessary for him to fly more successfully. Thank you

 

[chris-md]

Hi katie

Yep, identical to that.

If you want to do similar to what I've done There are a few models on Amazon that go for about US$25 that should work just fine. I bought mine piecemeal from a local guitar store for the same price. Look for the Proline brand. That's what I have.

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

The Missus has a video demonstrating how she takes the parrot around and invites him to beak-tap walls, windows, and mirrors, s that he knows about limitations and "hard air". lol
I bet she'll offer it later tonight.

 

[Rival_of_the_Rickeybird]

Well whaddya know. I found it. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssC-fsVmgDE"]rickeybirdproductions: KNOCK KNOCK! - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Loko]

Ok great! Thank you, I will have a look.

So the "issue" now is finding two stands to use for training. The Parrot Wizard ones would be the easiest, but exchange rate + shipping to Canada = almost $300 for me. Impossible

Maybe when I get home at Christmas I can check out some stores there for mic stands.

Good to know that the flight training now will be necessary for him to fly more successfully. Thank you

I wouldnt go crazy spending money on stands. You can improvise a stand so easily, the only part worth buying that is actually meant is the perch piece (so you get a safe, good wood perch) unless you have a source for safe wood and can do the relatively simple adjustments (Id just buy one, theyre not expensive ) like you said you can get a cheap tripod legged mic or camera stand, or even just cut the top off a stable lamp and screw a perch on top, if everything is bird safe obviously. You can always just order the book or dvd from the parrot wizard if you like his methods.

 

[Anansi]

Yep, the target training method mentioned by Chris and shown in that video is VERY effective. I'd only add that you should try to start in a small room to limit the speed he can build up while flying, thus cutting down on the potential trauma of any crashing incidents.

Also, as Jasper becomes more and more confident, you can increase the difficulty level by adjusting the height on the stands so that he has to fly from a lower level to a higher level and from a higher level to a lower level. (The latter is also an important skill to master, as some birds who wind up getting outside fly up into trees... and panic because they are not confident in their ability to fly back down to their parront. Totally different skill sets.)

 

[katie_fleming]

Thanks everyone!

I actually bought the decals for my balcony doors that are meant for birds. Jasper knows what "touch" means and since day 1 I've always brought him to the window so he knows he can't go through it. But for whatever reason that one time he decided to fly straight for it and flew right into the step. Hopefully it doesn't happen again.

I'll keep you updated on my stand progress Thanks for all the input!