Ozzie exposure

[Ozziesdad13]

Have been looking for a good site for myself and Oswald for several years. Most are dead ends or currently updating the site forever. I truly hope this site will be different. I have had many birds in my 56 years. All have always been such a treat. After getting very attached and upset when their times come! I decided that larger, longer living birds were my Carma. I have had many large birds that I became too comfortable with. That have taken flight. Never to be seen again. All banded birds. Bought at Florida flea markets. Thou now I have Ozzie. He was an incubated hand fed baby. I have had him since he was 5 months. He will be 9 this 30th of July. He is without a doubt. My best friend. Son. And my passion. Military Macaws are smaller than their big cousins. And I'm glad of it. I wear scabs and bleed daily handling him. And I could really care less. Its the most funi have ever had needing a bandaid. I only wish I lived in an area where he could fly at will and not become disoriented. I am not a wing clipper. That's their biggest defense mechanism. FLY. I also take my birds outside regularly. That's why I've lost several. Thou Ozzie is a repeat:red: performer. In that. He has made 5 trips out of the back yard. And several blocks away. Me panting and following him to some spot high up in a tree. Or flat roof'd house. Always to be brought home. SO FAR. I came here actually looking for gps tracking bands on the net. And decided to give the site a shot. Glad to be here. Hope Ozzie and I will be accepted with open wings. Lol. I'll be Bach. Gotta figure out how to download pics. Ozzie wants some exposure. Haha

 

[Sterling1113]

Hello, and welcome!!
It's a shame to hear you've had previous birds fly away. That's always hard.
Have you ever considered harness training your bird(s)? I just ordered aviator harnesses for mine and I couldn't be more excited.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Hi and welcome cant wait to see pics of your guy . Almost got one once [was going to be my first macaw ] So I know what you mean with the smaller size. but I ended up with my Harlow [a Catalina]. Every time we went to visit the Military. The Catalina kept wanting to be with us [and I thought she was HUGE] I giuess she picked us . It helped she was so gentle [and still is] The Military was nipping the crap out of me . I have a Greenwing now . Now theirs a big bird .

 

[MikeyTN]

IF you want them to fly, then do recall training. Don't just bring them outside. That's something you need to realize you need to do before trust them to go outside with you just because you felt comfortable with them doing so. Sometimes when you do that you doing more harm then good as there's plenty of predators out there that won't hesitate to attack and eat them. It is a parrot owner's responsibility to care for our beloved parrot to keep them as safe as possible. So please do look into recall training first before attempting to bring them outside again. Also purchase a harness!

 

[PetoftheDay]

I agree with others - recall training, and/or harness flying - check out Gilbert's pictures here:Gilbert - Blue Crown Conure - April 16, 2014 - as you can see he does actually fly on his harness and leash, and has a grand time, and everyone* is safer!

But welcome to the Parrot Forum! Hope you and Ozzie stay well and happy for many, many years to come!

*No panting, out of breath owner with his/her heart in her throat hoping to catch him before she/he collapses with a heart attack!!