Took TK for walks, and to the park today!

[MelanieAnn]

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY TODAY SO I TOOK MY SON AND TK FOR A WALK AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WE STOPPED AND TALKED TO NEIGHBORS AND KIDS, (FROM A DISTANCE) AND HE LOVED IT! THE WIND WAS BLOWING WARM AND THE SUN WAS SHINING
IT WAS SO NICE WE ALL HOPED IN THE CAR AND WENT TO THE PARK, THE OTHER KIDS AND PARENTS LOVED TO SEE HIM (FROM A DISTANCE) AND HE LOVEEED THE ATTENTION! MY SON LOVED TO PLAY AND KEPT TELLING TK TO WATCH HIM AND I SWEAR HE WAS IT WAS VERY NICE.
I FEEL LIKE WE ARE BONDING GREAT HE IS NOW VERY COMFERTABLE WITH ME AND I AM ALSO.
I NEVER USED TO HOLD HIM CLOSE TO ME WHEN HE WAS ON MY ARM BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID, NOW I HOLD HIM ON MY ARM AND MY ARM ON MY SIDE AND HES JUST HAPPY AS CAN BE
VERYY GOOD BIRD TODAY

 

[cdog]

Did you have him on a harness? Even clipped birds can still fly away from you and get lost.

 

[MelanieAnn]

no, he doesn't know how to fly never learned never tried. he probably could not fly if his life literally depended on it he never developed the chest muscles necessary to do so.

 

[cdog]

I wouldn't put that to the test. He may get spooked and take off and you might not see him for days. I would really recommend you get a harness for him for his saftey, he might not be able to go very far but he could glide right into traffic.

 

[MelanieAnn]

i will get one, but honestly i am so sure he could not even glide that i would bet him on it. im not sure if he knows what those big beautiful wings are for, they haven't been clipped in like 7 years, he opens them one at a time and the wind underneath them scares him! he would probably like to be swaddled lol

 

[cdog]

I speak from personal experience, my Bella never flew when I got her, not even when she got scared . She would always be carried around and I didn't think she even knew how to fly. So one day I took her to my outdoor aviary and I was trying to get her boyfriend in and I wasn't watching her because I assumed she couldn't fly away, but she flew straight out the door. Luckily she only flew to the top of the aviary because her boyfriend was still inside. I almost lost her so please don't assume he doesn't know how to use his wings because one day he might just fly away from you.

 

[MelanieAnn]

OK tip well taken, i will get a harness, i dont want to risk it, do you think getting a harness is enough? i really dont want to stress him and have his wings clipped when they havnt been done in so long

 

[cdog]

If you properley harness train him then you don't need to clip him, that's why people get harnesses, so they don't have to be clipped.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Harnesses are awesome, I have a feather tether harness for Rosie that's a little messy since she chewed it a lot. I plan to upgrade her to the aviator harness which is better, and now that she's very good with the harness she won't make the new one look messy lol

It's a relieve to have that piece of mind that she can't get spooked and go flying off. Because of the harness I feel confident bring her up big hills and out on windy days without worrying.

 

[rsaskey]

What does the harnesses look like. I've never seen one.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

What does the harnesses look like. I've never seen one.

here's Rosie in her harness

 

[MelanieAnn]

where do i get a harness? i went to petco and petsmart, and i called the bird store but they said if his wings have not been clipped in so long then it probably wouldn't fit..? Is this something that goes around just his wings? i don't feel comfortable touching his wings just yet

 

[mtdoramike]

The problem with a harness is getting it on him. Most birds FREAK OUT when you first try to put a harness on them. There is a video on You Tube that shows you how to put a harness on your bird.

To me, it would be less stressfull getting his wings clipped than putting a harness on him. I'm a firm believer in getting a bird that has never flown wings clipped.

 

[MelanieAnn]

I agree i guess if anything i would much rather have his wings clipped then to get bit trying to put a harness on since he is 10 and has never had one on.

 

[osnyder]

I just ordered a harness for Stitch. I'm stressed just thinking about getting him used to it, but he was flighted before he came to us and I'd like to let him be able to fly now that's he's used to us and comfortable with his new family.

 

[MaraWentz]

As risky as it is getting a harness is your choice. My first red from was 10 and never flew once. The last time he was spooked he fell of a chair and hurt his foot after a hefty emergency get visit I was oblivious to the fact that they don't have sprints or casts for bird legs lol. I took mine every where! Never used a harness. He has passed and now I have a new red front macaw. She is able to fly and we encourage it. At first we used the harness and she was fine however, she doesn't fly unless provoked so she sits there and chew her harness and has almost gotten through it. Therefore I have given up the harness idea. I understand though that at any moment she may fly away. I accept that. I know I will have to chase her up a tree a couPle of times (haven't had to yet). I also understand she may fly off farther than I can see and won't be able to get her. It's a risk and scary one but it's a personal choice.

 

[MaraWentz]

Clipping wings does not help. My husbands goffincockatoo was clipped and flew up 50 ft in a tree and then when my husband tried climbing up she flew to a near by one. It took 20 minutes to get her back.

 

[DannyA93]

I think harnesses look uncomfortable. im getting my bird a flight suit instead since its looks a lil bit softer and it catches the poops so you have a clean shoulder!!

 

[lexx510]

Sounds like you, your son, and tk have a great time together = )

And, I agree with cdog.As the saying goes, "Better safe than sorry."

 

[JJones1719]

Congratulation on taking your Macaw outside. I personally do not use Harness myself. I hold my boys toes when outside. They are trained to stay on my hand and never pull away even when there are hawks flying above us. They know I will protect them. I am very careful outside with them and specially when children come up to them to take a look. I always tell the children to keep their distance and look but never touch.
Taking your bird outside really tires the bird and you will see how great he sleeps after the trip.
Try taking them to pet stores too who allow birds, this too is great fun. Just bring news paper with you, place it into the shopping cart just in case they have to go to the bathroom. Best of luck joe