Taprock
Member
- Oct 22, 2015
- 279
- 2
- Parrots
- Buzz - CAG,
Ziggy - Nanday/Sun Conure,
Jasper - Goffin
Loki - Starling
Gloria - Foster CAG
Buzz (my son't CAG) came to live with us in the fall of 2015. He had a severe wing clip and could only flutter down from the bottom of his cage. He eventually got better and although he never went through a dramatic molt he has dropped and replaced feathers.
Last summer my son took him outside quite a bit. There is nothing funnier than watching a parrot growl at pigs, which he took a distinct dislike to. This winter we discussed how we would know when he would need another wing clip or if we wanted to get it done again. Buzz doesn't fly all that much. Usually he glides down from his cage but prefers to waddle around the house.
So we were cleaning cages - outdoors finally as it was a nice day. My son brought Buzz out on his perch. They were just standing around when Buzz flew off his perch. In the past he just fluttered to the ground, this time he FLEW and while it wasn't beautiful it worked just fine! He landed about 20 foot up in a small tree that we have in the front yard. He hung there like a bat and whistled at us as we ran around franticly. We brought out his travel cage and container of cashews with no luck. We finally got the roof rake for him to step up on. It proved too slippery for him and he flew again. This time he headed for the open field that is in front of our house. Thankfully he doesn't have the muscle strength to flap very far and landed close. His first words as my son got to him were "Good Boy!"
Although his previous owner said he was harness trained he hasn't cooperated for us so I think it's time for another clip - a light clip this time. I don't feel bad about it with him since he rarely flies - He just waits to be dramatic and scare everyone when he does!
For those of you who have had escapees - I never would have imaged the terror you feel when you see them flap away. Thankfully for us we also had the relief at the end. When it was all done my son (6'+ 250# big 16 year old) was shaking.
Last summer my son took him outside quite a bit. There is nothing funnier than watching a parrot growl at pigs, which he took a distinct dislike to. This winter we discussed how we would know when he would need another wing clip or if we wanted to get it done again. Buzz doesn't fly all that much. Usually he glides down from his cage but prefers to waddle around the house.
So we were cleaning cages - outdoors finally as it was a nice day. My son brought Buzz out on his perch. They were just standing around when Buzz flew off his perch. In the past he just fluttered to the ground, this time he FLEW and while it wasn't beautiful it worked just fine! He landed about 20 foot up in a small tree that we have in the front yard. He hung there like a bat and whistled at us as we ran around franticly. We brought out his travel cage and container of cashews with no luck. We finally got the roof rake for him to step up on. It proved too slippery for him and he flew again. This time he headed for the open field that is in front of our house. Thankfully he doesn't have the muscle strength to flap very far and landed close. His first words as my son got to him were "Good Boy!"
Although his previous owner said he was harness trained he hasn't cooperated for us so I think it's time for another clip - a light clip this time. I don't feel bad about it with him since he rarely flies - He just waits to be dramatic and scare everyone when he does!
For those of you who have had escapees - I never would have imaged the terror you feel when you see them flap away. Thankfully for us we also had the relief at the end. When it was all done my son (6'+ 250# big 16 year old) was shaking.
