My experience with a clipped Argyle

madparrotwoman

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Jun 29, 2010
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Plymouth, UK
Parrots
CAG
hahns macaw
Ok so it has been almost 4 weeks since Argyle had his wings clipped. This was done as a last resort after all other avenues had been exhausted and after being given advice from more experienced owners than myself. It was done for behavioural problems, to stop him flying onto Beau's cage (for his own safety) and to help curb agression towards me and other family members. Argyle is 4-5 years old and has always been fully flighted up to now.

So to update, I'm already regretting the clip, although it hasn't been a 100% failure, from Argyle's point of view it probably has been.

First the positives. I am much more confident with Argyle out of his cage. He now comes out daily and at the same time as Beau, making life easier for me and the rest of the family. He has flown onto me and climbed onto my shoulders and made no attempt to bite. This is a plus from our point of view but it has also given Argyle a better quality of life.

The negatives, Argyle can still fly onto Beau's cage (if he tries hard enough) but is showing signs of frustration at his inability to fly the way he used to. He sits for 90% of the time on the outside of his cage, walking around or sitting but at times he sits whilst flapping his wings - something he never did before, it's like he can't understand why they don't work the way they used to. He can still fly but he appears not to be able to direct himself to where he wants to go and has flown into things on occasion. The result of all this is that I feel guilty about all the above.

I can't really say Argyle is depressed, he seems happy enough, he is certainly better with me although he still doesn't like being handled in or around his cage. Away from his cage he appears well behaved (so far) allowing me to pick him up from where he has landed and when on my back, arm or shoulder.

The conclusion to date, I don't really feel the clip has been the success I was hoping for in that it didn't stop Argyle from flying onto Beau's cage. Although he is less agressive away from his cage he seems to still be cage territorial. Ok, maybe I was expecting a miracle cure that hasn't materialised but what I'm really not happy about is his apparent frustration at his limited flight and the way it is played out in such an obvious way. I do think he is happier with his extensive out of cage time though and he seems happy and content with life in general.

My next move, now that Argyle and Beau are both used to each other outside of cages I await Argyle's new flights to see if they can still co-exist with a flighted Argyle on the loose. Argyle has already lost a clipped feather so the process has already begun. I would have to think long and hard before clipping again.
 
I'm sorry that the clip didn't work the way you had hoped. You did what you felt was the best thing for everyone involved given the information you had at the time - that the best any of us can do. The good part is that the feathers will grow back. Hopefully his next molt isn't too far off.
 
Try to look at this as a more positive thing. You can use the time it will take for his new feathers to come in to work with him more. Maybe by the time his flights come back you can have so issues resolved. Good luck and try not to beat yourself up over it...even though you did not get all the things out of the clip you wanted...you stilll got some progress.
 
Well, let me tell you that I've had birds for over 40 years and I don't expect to stop learning about them ever. We all make mistakes, I know I've made some doozies and even though I try very hard not to, I am sure that I am still making a number of them on a daily basis so don't beat yourself over it and just chalk it up to the old learning curve.

And yes, you are correct, the greatest danger in clipping is that they lose control over their maneuvers and often crash.
 
I''m glad clipping wasn't a complete failure and some good did come out of it. Flapping his wings without going anywhere is a common form of exercise for a clipped bird. It's important for them to do it for repiratory health
 

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