interior window film to prevent free flighted bird strike

[paulbergen]

I just recently got an 11 month Eclectus. He's been clipped. The place I bought him from, which is a respected parrots-only place, insists he should always be clipped to avoid him flying away. However, it makes me sad that the bird is clumsy, can fall off my shoulder while walking around the home, and I have a huge coffee/java tree for him to play on with lots of toys, but he only stays still where I put him seemingly because the branches are all at angles and he seems quite afraid of falling. I've read about the benefits of free flight and that they would help him with this. And I got a harness that I will try to gradually introduce to let him fly outside without getting away.

BUT, the one major concern with letting him fly is that I live in a modern high-rise loft with floor to ceiling wrap around windows the entire length. I am nervous that he would hurt himself flying into them. Putting curtains or blinds up would be very expensive and ruin the unobstructed view. I know there are some windows that block UV light so we can see through them, but birds see them as opaque. My windows already have a UV film on them, so I'm not sure if this is sufficient. But if not, I was thinking of film like CollideEscape, but, to do all the windows would be several thousand $, plus they're designed for external mounting and seem to be like a 1-way mirror, so I assume putting them on the inside would just block out all the windows.

Anybody have any ideas, or suggestions about some film or treatment that could solve this?

 

[ParkersMom]

window clings work well for this they are cheap and removable and once the bird learns what windows are and where they are you should be able to remove them...Plus you can always take them done if you have people over or if the bird isn't out and about

 

[JerseyWendy]

I agree with the window clings until he knows about the windows.

As for the Java tree, you could possibly wrap some of the perches with a bit of vet wrap to make them less slippery. It's THIS stuff:
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/3M-15110-Vetrap-Yard-Roll/dp/B007T75PFC/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1376946777&sr=8-15&keywords=vet+wrap]Vetrap - individual roll: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific[/ame]

 

[MonicaMc]

I think you may enjoy watching some of the videos on this Youtube channel... it may help you with some of your fears as well as giving you ideas and tips for having a flighted parrot.

flychomperfly's channel - YouTube

 

[weco]

Looks like you have yourself a conundrum Paul.....

I appreciate your concerns/reservations about leaving birds flighted, but the design of your home's 10'-12' or greater ceilings and your floor to ceiling windows would easily excite a bird's natural flight response...and I doubt there would be any way to limit/quell that other than the bird's trust in its safety within those glass walls.....something that only comes with time, training and trust with you.....

Depending on the layout of your loft, would an indoor aviary be possible.....first thoughts would be a net type for aesthetics, but then would the bird be inclined to chew the net ? ? ?

There really aren't any hard fast solutions unless keeping the bird caged or severely clipped.....

Good luck.....