Time for a harness for Skittles

[Chesphoto]

Wow, I can't believe I have had Skittles for just over a year now...

I found this old post about Fargo flying and at the time I was feeling a little sad that Skittles may never be able to share that experience.

Well, a year later and she is flapping her injured wing more and more each day. She can't fly yet, but she doesn't drop like a rock any more. I hold her feet and have her flap her wings and I have my own personal fan. Great for the desert heat... I've let her flight feathers grow out and now she drops like a normal bird that has their wings trimmed. Soft landings.

Now, I'm starting to get concerned that a gust of wind could lift her away and I take her outside a lot...

I've been looking at the aviator harness, but am open to suggestions. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Especially any tips about getting Skittles use to the harness. You know, the kind of tips that they don't mention in the instructions...

Are you going to take Skittles flying??

Thanks for asking about Skittles. She is a rescue bird that spent the last ten years in such a small cage, that she couldn't even spread her wings. Her left wing has atrophy so she can't extend it. I have noticed improvement in the last two months, so maybe in the future I will be asking you for some flying tips.

On the positive side, I don't have to chase after her down a field when she reaches the end of the line...

Keep sharing your adventures with Fargo. Reading through all the comments and it is clear that we all love reading them!

 

[Kiwibird]

Don't know much about harnesses, but it may not be a bad idea to start introducing the concept of recall. Even if it's her waddling across the floor for now, getting a bird who goes outdoors or who is flighted (or getting there)used to the idea of returning on command is never a bad idea. Kiwi has never flown, but he still comes (waddling as fast as he can) if you call for him. Now that Skittles is regaining her strength, it's not just being harnessed outdoors thats a concern, it's opening the door to sign for fedex, or a open window or whatever random situation she could possibly face and glide or fly off. Being proactive is better than being reactive