Tape?

[Lovetheearth112]

Hello! When I first got my cockatiel, Luna, about a year ago, her first 3 flight feathers were taped together to keep her from flying.
since then, whenever I want to take her outside, I tape her wings so she is unable to fly away from me. When I come back inside I un-tape them.

I have been doing this for quite some time now. I've researched it, but haven't found many topics on it.

Is tape safe for them? Like is non-toxic tape ok? I just recently bought a harness and have been harness training her so I can move away from tape.

Thanks, S

 

[noodles123]

I have never heard of this..tape can contain zinc (non toxic to us but toxic to them).
I think there seem to be a few problems with this (in my opinion)
1. if your bird falls, it is going to sink like a stone without the ability to protect itself from impact.
2. This cannot be comfortable when you remove the tape..it could damage or even break feathers.
3. The residue left on feathers post-tape.

Harness training is a much better option. Others may have different opinions, but those are my thoughts.

 

[wrench13]

1,000% with you, Noodles. Never heard of taping feathers, seems destructive and dangerous. Harnesses are 10,000% better.

 

[SailBoat]

Great advice provided above.

Please, Stop using Tape for all the reason provided above.

What you are doing is called a reverse Show Clip. In a proper Show Clip, the primary feathers behind the front three or four are trimmed back. The Show Clip allows the Parrot to safely fly /Glide to the floor or ground.

 

[Ira7]

And I thought leg chains were bad.

Whoever heard of such a thing!?

 

[BellaTheLemonBirb]

I am very against clipping parrots. It costs money and has many problems. A bird can fly away whether they're clipped or not, and if they aren't clipped their chances of survival after running away are very low. This tape thing though.. I would honestly rather you clip than do this to your poor feather baby. If you don't have a harness and you want to take your bird outside, don't do it at all. If you want your bird to receive the benefits of the sun's rays, take them outside in a travel cage. If you for some strange reason don't have one, then open your curtains on a sunny day and have your bird perched on your finger in front of the window.

The tape thing can also negatively effect your relationship with your bird. Please stop the tape thing if you haven't already. Thank you, and good luck with your beautiful feather baby!