Taking a clipped bird outdoors

[natalie]

I think light weight birds have a lot more of a chance of being able to fly off when the wings are clipped. My cockatiel manages some flight with clipped wings and therefore does not go outside.
My macaw however, is a large and heavy bird. If she tries any kind of flight, she doesn't even manage a glide...she drops like a rock. Her body is too heavy for clipped wings to carry at all.
So I believe this question may have something to do with your individual bird and this is why there is such diversity on this subject. I do believe many birds can take flight with clipped wings ... but I also believe that Holly is not one of them. So I bring Holly outdoors with me often on beautiful days.

I totally believe that if you feel insecure in any way of bringing your bird outside...then don't do it. Just because one person or even 100 people do so safely ... does not mean it is for everyone. Keep YOUR bird safe.
If I have 2 birds and only allow one outside....then that goes to show not all birds can safely roam outside.

 

[Mel]

I think light weight birds have a lot more of a chance of being able to fly off when the wings are clipped. My cockatiel manages some flight with clipped wings and therefore does not go outside.
My macaw however, is a large and heavy bird. If she tries any kind of flight, she doesn't even manage a glide...she drops like a rock. Her body is too heavy for clipped wings to carry at all.
So I believe this question may have something to do with your individual bird and this is why there is such diversity on this subject. I do believe many birds can take flight with clipped wings ... but I also believe that Holly is not one of them. So I bring Holly outdoors with me often on beautiful days.

I totally believe that if you feel insecure in any way of bringing your bird outside...then don't do it. Just because one person or even 100 people do so safely ... does not mean it is for everyone. Keep YOUR bird safe.
If I have 2 birds and only allow one outside....then that goes to show not all birds can safely roam outside.

My son had his friend over yesterday who bought his clipped teil with him. I was surprised at how well she could fly, only for short distances but I'd imagine if she had a gust of wind under her she'd go a long way. After seeing this I understand peoples anxiety.

 

[doodadz]

I would also caution you about diseases that are endemic in local songbird and bird of prey populations, ie. West Nile, etc. I live in the midatlantic region of the US and for lots of reasons, that included, have not yet built my outdoor aviary. My fids do not go outside xcept in carriers as they are going to the vets. They are clipped for safety. Had the big HY flying around like a huge stealth bomber till she crashed the kitchen door, twice....added a few more grey hairs

 

[clawnz]

Quote "I totally believe that if you feel insecure in any way of bringing your bird outside...then don't do it. Just because one person or even 100 people do so safely ... does not mean it is for everyone. Keep YOUR bird safe.
If I have 2 birds and only allow one outside....then that goes to show not all birds can safely roam outside.

Well said!

My two cents worth!
A harness should be a MUST HAVE!
Having said that, I take both Potato and Zambezie out and about, at what I would term very low risk of them ever going away from me. Zambezie is just growing in some new flights and can flutter/jump to get onto me. Potato is self clipped and may never have flight feathers to get any flight.
We seem to over look the fact that it does depend on the bond you have with the bird you are going to take outside. Having taken these two Lori's to Pam's Memorial Service free on my body, and have them behave for around 4hours, was just so good.
These are not my own birds, but such is the trust they have in me and that bond we have.
If they were able to fly they would both have harness on.
I have lost a dear friend and know the sick feel.

As far as those birds that do escape or fly off.
After my first year at Auckland Bird rescue, I have to say we get both clipped and unclipped parrots handed in.
We have a 8week old Tiel in, it flew into the neighbors garden and we think a cat got it.
It had a broken leg, but looks like it will be not to bad. Cast and pin come out Monday. It is not totally weaned yet.
We have had at least two parrots flighted turn up at the cages trying to get food.
A lot of tame birds do not know how to find food in the outside world, and will get weak. And if hand tame bonded to humans may even fly into a house to find help.