More flight stuff...

[StephenAndKyleigh]

We are having way too much fun these days...Seriously, it's a blast. The school I work for agreed to let me use their gym after school and on weekends....but in the fall I have been asked to "put on a show." Just 15 minutes for our kindergarten through 4th graders. Here's some practice...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPetAk7AFYY"]Weekend Flight Practice - YouTube[/ame]

 

[JerseyWendy]

WOW, Stephen! QUITE impressive!!!

Inquiring minds must know: Whose Scarlet is that on the perch watching?

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

WOW, Stephen! QUITE impressive!!!

Inquiring minds must know: Whose Scarlet is that on the perch watching?

Thanks Wendy! The Scarlet is Kyleigh's best friend named Athena. She is about 1.5 years old and is starting her training. I am teaching her owner how to teach his bird to fly safely indoors. She's never been clipped, but isn't confident enough to take flight.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Athena sure is gorgeous! And she also appears to be HUGE!!!

 

[Birdman666]

Yeah. That definitely looks like a South American Scarlet!

Some of those central american scarlet's remind me of some of the really tiny coastal CAGS.... I've seen a few that aren't much bigger than my Red Front, which really surprised me.

 

[Anansi]

Most impressive, Stephen! I'm really enjoying watching your progress with Kyleigh.

Have you managed yet to coax Athena into flight at all? Her situation reminds me of Maya. I don't think that she ever got the chance to fledge, so she only flies out of fear or desperation. So I'd be very interested to hear how you proceed with Athena.

Also, have you been doing any flight training with Conure West as well?

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

Athena sure is gorgeous! And she also appears to be HUGE!!!

Yeah, she's a big girl! But as sweet as pie!

Most impressive, Stephen! I'm really enjoying watching your progress with Kyleigh.

Have you managed yet to coax Athena into flight at all? Her situation reminds me of Maya. I don't think that she ever got the chance to fledge, so she only flies out of fear or desperation. So I'd be very interested to hear how you proceed with Athena.

Also, have you been doing any flight training with Conure West as well?

She is recalling about 3 feet now to and from the perch. Which is good progress for her. Now it's about making her comfortable and increasing that distance.

I forgot to post about this, but Conure West is back home with my mom. She began coming over to see him every day and I could tell she missed him. So I surprised her with a new cage for him. He's happy over there...but now I miss him lol.

 

[Anansi]

That's really nice what you did for your mother. And it's good to hear that he's happy with her. I can imagine how much you miss him, though.

And if Athena is willing to fly 3 feet, then you're past the biggest hurdle. She at least knows that flying is something she wants to do. It's just about incrementally increasing her confidence with greater distances. Nice.

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

That's really nice what you did for your mother. And it's good to hear that he's happy with her. I can imagine how much you miss him, though.

And if Athena is willing to fly 3 feet, then you're past the biggest hurdle. She at least knows that flying is something she wants to do. It's just about incrementally increasing her confidence with greater distances. Nice.

Stephen I wish you lived in Dallas. I need another friend that understands birds. I've been trying to convince Wendy to move as well lol.

 

[Anansi]

Hahaha! You do realize that you could pull a two for one if you moved to Jersey? Wendy lives maybe 40 minutes away from me. Tops.

So we'll see you soon? Heh, heh.

 

[JerseyWendy]

HA! I think we WILL see him sooner than expected. Can I spill the beans, Stephen? Or will you????

 

[Anansi]

I assume you mean Kyleigh Stephen, since this Stephen has no beans to spill. Lol!

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

Hahaha! You do realize that you could pull a two for one if you moved to Jersey? Wendy lives maybe 40 minutes away from me. Tops.

So we'll see you soon? Heh, heh.

I think I knew that you both lived close. I just didnt register that in my brain.

HA! I think we WILL see him sooner than expected. Can I spill the beans, Stephen? Or will you????

I guess I will be seeing you both this year when I visit New Jersey!

 

[JerseyWendy]

I assume you mean Kyleigh Stephen, since this Stephen has no beans to spill. Lol!

LMBO.....Yes, indeed, I meant the 'other' Stephen. HAHAHAHHA!

 

[Anansi]

...I guess I will be seeing you both this year when I visit New Jersey!

Whaaaaaaaaaat?!? Nice! Though for a minute there I thought you were about to announce your intent to move here. As you said, having another friend who understands birds and lived around here would be great!

But alas...

So when are you looking to come around? And will Kyleigh be along for the trip?

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

...I guess I will be seeing you both this year when I visit New Jersey!

Whaaaaaaaaaat?!? Nice! Though for a minute there I thought you were about to announce your intent to move here. As you said, having another friend who understands birds and lived around here would be great!

But alas...

So when are you looking to come around? And will Kyleigh be along for the trip?

I would move just to be closer to you and Wendy lol. Its for work, but I think Kyleigh will be coming with me because I would love for yall to meet her. My boss has already given me the okay to bring her. He assumed I would lol.

 

[Anansi]

This gets better and better! It'll be great to meet you AND Kyleigh! I'm looking forward to it!

 

[Birdman666]

that's really nice what you did for your mother. And it's good to hear that he's happy with her. I can imagine how much you miss him, though.

And if athena is willing to fly 3 feet, then you're past the biggest hurdle. She at least knows that flying is something she wants to do. It's just about incrementally increasing her confidence with greater distances. Nice.

it's the step after that. You can fly, but don't fly off, where it becomes trickier... Once they initially gain that confidence, and you get that initial

"whoops, that's a little too confident for my taste."

Sweepea was nervous like that at first. Then, one day, she decided to really stretch her wings instead of circling back and landing like she usually did (and was supposed to do) she circled and took off... and I jumped in the car and followed her!

She landed in a tree by the High School about a mile away from my house. Just beyond that was a thickly wooded area that, thank god, she did not fly into... or I'd have really had a hard time finding her again.

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

that's really nice what you did for your mother. And it's good to hear that he's happy with her. I can imagine how much you miss him, though.

And if athena is willing to fly 3 feet, then you're past the biggest hurdle. She at least knows that flying is something she wants to do. It's just about incrementally increasing her confidence with greater distances. Nice.

it's the step after that. You can fly, but don't fly off, where it becomes trickier... Once they initially gain that confidence, and you get that initial

"whoops, that's a little too confident for my taste."

Sweepea was nervous like that at first. Then, one day, she decided to really stretch her wings instead of circling back and landing like she usually did (and was supposed to do) she circled and took off... and I jumped in the car and followed her!

She landed in a tree by the High School about a mile away from my house. Just beyond that was a thickly wooded area that, thank god, she did not fly into... or I'd have really had a hard time finding her again.

Yes! We are training "come when called" now. And when they aren't being called, they're focused on us. That's where the bond with the bird comes in. For Kyleigh, she's so focused on me because she wants to fly to me. The bond is the most important thing to free flying.

We are also only flying in level 1 locations right now.