Top ten reasons pet birds die

[bill_e]

In the past I ran into this list on the internet and then when I was replying to another post yesterday it actually popped up as a thread here and I thought I'd bump it up since we have so many small bird members.

There will be disagreement as to the ranking but I don't think that ranking matters all that much. There's little consolation if your bird dies from #10 and not #1. The fact that it's on the list is what's important.

The #1 reason is dehydration, mostly caused by defective water bottles. Most of us with larger birds use water bowls but I assume that a lot of folks with smaller birds use water bottles so it's certainly something to be aware of.

Feeling outnumbered and being a supporter of properly clipped wings I was shocked, but not at all surprised, to see un-clipped wings as #2. I would love to see positive discussions on wing clipping and its benefits at the same frequency that Teflon is discussed.

Happy New Year all! and that goes for you humans as well

http://www.parrotforums.com/conures/24352-top-ten-reasons-pet-birds-die.html

 

[noodles123]

Nice link.

I think wing clipping gets a lot of flack because it is so often done improperly or too early in a bird's life (leading to developmental issues). Plus, it does seem unnatural, but then again, what about a bird's life in captivity is? lol There does seem to be a certain amount of guilt associated with clipping (kind of like people feel when de-clawing a cat or something)..but wings do grow back as long as they aren't butchered. I don't see any reason to be opposed to it as long as it is done well and for the right reasons (it is not a solution to behavioral problems and it shouldn't replace station-training).

A major concern I have about wing-clipping is that some owners of clipped birds take their birds outside etc under the assumption that they CANNOT fly---but if a clip is done the way it should be, a bird can still fly given the right space, wind, height, motivation etc (really only 1/4 of those is necessary).

I think that clipping can be an important part of training for certain birds--but if a bird can be target-trained/station-trained without clipping, then that is fine too. I definitely think clipping is preferable to an out-of-control bird flying around like crazy, slamming into objects, flying into pots of water, going after people or accidentally getting shut in doors/flying out of the house altogether.

Teflon is scary because it's so pervasive and most people have no idea that it is hidden all over the place (they assume that it will only be on cook-ware and that they will be able to SEE it if it is (which is not the case)...Plus, it gets downplayed a lot of out convenience by people who have "used it before and had no issues"---I hate that! Reminds me of someone saying, "well I went 175 mph on the highway and I didn't get a ticket or accident, so....it's safe." Ugh....Teflon and fumes are #1 killers per my vet though.

 

[SailBoat]

Just short and sweet.

Regardless of whether one believes in clipping or not-clipping, there are clear responsibilities of the owner of either.
- If you clip, you must assure that your Parrot has the ability to guide safely to the floor!
- If you are a non-clipper, you must train your Parrot to fly along safe flight paths.
- Regardless of whether your Parrot is clipped or not clipped, assuring they regularly and activity flap their wings and move about is a must. What was not listed and should have been: Heart Failure. This rapidly growing segment of 'why birds die' is based fully on non-active birds!

 

[Laurasea]

I read your link, and some important info was left out about death by flight. These are birds that have been kept clipped , haven't learned to fly well, then a few fethers grew back enough for them to get Into trouble. Or the people said their bird never flys and they take a them outside and the bird flys off.. or having your ceiling fan on, come on that's never safe. One if my links includes a scientific study that found birds who knows how to fly and escapes, are recovered at much higher rate, than clipped birds that escape Plus there is a lot of money in clipping wings for vets, plus it gets the bird in the clinic and they can up sell you on pellets, or very much needed vet care.

Or you use this forum and reported deaths by our members, I've yet to hear of a flighted bird that knows how to fly dieing by flight related issues. Instead I have heard of clipped birds getting killed by pets, clipped birds on the floor and are stepped on, or caught in doors, clipped birds escapes and isn't recovered, death by Teflon being the most reported to get I have seen here.

I don't want to start the new year by arguing. But there is so much reported science, behaviorist , and vets on the health benefits, phycology bennifit of flight. Birds have air sacs, and the largest muscles the pectoral muscles are all designed for flight. I posted article on exercise increasing life, and preventing cellular damge.

If you had seen all the parrots that I have, that haven't fledged as babies, and that have been kept non flighted for years. ..... And then seen the profound difference in parrots that have fledged and hav learned to fly well... I doubt you'd keep a pro clip attitude. Or if you took the time to go through the data..

Your success in maintaining a happy clipped bird , is because you are a great parrot keeper. Keeping your bird out if the cage, envolved in life with you ECT....

Most people clip because it's a convenient way to control their parrot. The parrot already has limited choice of moving, and now clipped they can keep it parked.

I'm not going to link the thirty articles on pro flight, or the scientific studies I have on health of flight, and stress reduction. You can go to the ornithology thread, or do your own Google.. i urge you to do more research. Did you read my links? Plus I didn't attack posters that clip, I just provided data, and links.

And I do appreciate that a very few parrots might need to be kept clipped.

 

[Rozalka]

I cought my head reading the point 2. about wing clipping - the reason of death never is unclipped wings. In the wild birds with clipped wings couldn't have chances to survive

 

[bill_e]

Laurasea,

Like statistics one can find many articles to support just about any position. I know that even as a good parrot keeper that my bird will fly out the door some day if not clipped. I also know of at least a few birds on this forum have flown away.

I'm not about to search the web for articles and vets who are pro clipping but I'm sure I could find 30 of them.

The argument again that I'm a good parrot keeper and that "Most people clip because it's a convenient way to control their parrot"...I don't disagree with that assertion but with those owners, how long would those birds last if they weren't clipped.....not long at all would be my guess.

With a proper clip, the bird will still fly and get exercise. We should not be discouraging people from clipping but instead educating them...which was my entire point of my comment in the original post.

 

[Laurasea]

"owners, how long would those birds last if they weren't clipped.....not long at all would be my guess." That is Not based on anything other than your opinion. . Plunty of info from experts and leaders in the field of parrots to counter this. My GCC lived 17 years flighted, zero flight accident.
The o my escaped birds I rember where clipped birds ( correct me if you find otherwise)

" With a proper clip, the bird will still fly and get exercise. We should not be discouraging people "from clipping but instead educating them...which was my entire point of my comment in the original post"
I am trying trying to educate people. Pamela Clark, and every other parrot behaviorist, are urging people to quit clipping. Even our flighted birds aren't getting enough exercise. I posted a link in Ornithology awhile back, scientific research article on flight, included blood work, and heart rate, and some type of DNA damage. A clipped bird that flutters around isn't , plus these are the types that get into trouble with partial flight..

You are retired, and travel I think. Most people are working away from home 8 hours a day and if you include travel time more than that. The parrot is stuck in the cage that whole time....

Also wonder what you think goes on in a flighted parrots home. There is no mad flights and crashing into stuff.. lol... They are precision flyers! Also even if something's startle them and they take flight they are in control , no crashing around. Parrots that fledge and learn to really fly are smarter, and think on the wing, have better vision. Actual science backs this up, there are developmental changes that occur in their brain. That are ment to occure in their brain as they fledge and fly.

If it was just me and you having this conversation, and knowing your situation..I'd be like ok I can see why clipping works for you. But there will b thousands of views of this thread. So it's for those parrots I continued this conversation. In the hopes of preventing behavior problem, and increasingly health and happiness.
It's not my opinion but many parrot experts, behaviorist, and science that I am promoting. If you would like me to link these here I will.

 

[noodles123]

I totally agree with both of you--- it just depends on the situation. The issue is whenever it is oversimplified or sold as a "fix-all" (which it is not). Obviously there are pros and cons to clipping vs not, but they are all going to hinge upon timing, training, technique and everything else in a bird's world.
If you don't NEED to clip, don't do it.
If your bird is a danger to itself and you are providing plenty of out-of-cage time, training, sleep, appropriate diet etc...and still having issues, then do it---but make sure the bird is OLD ENOUGH to have learned to fly already, and make sure you are giving it your all in every other area.

A neglected/overly-caged parrot should not be clipped just because it is hyperactive when a person returns home (after having been gone too long). That isn't a behavior problem-- that is their nature-- depriving them of what they need because it annoys people is one of the reasons people struggle to keep them.

That is why I say, IF you are doing everything right (and you are self-aware enough to make that call) then clipping CAN be good, but it just depends on the situation, the owner, the bird, the clipper etc.

 

[bill_e]

You are retired, and travel I think. Most people are working away from home 8 hours a day and if you include travel time more than that. The parrot is stuck in the cage that whole time....

I work half a year and I travel to work. I'm away up to 3 weeks a month. While my wife doesnt spend the time I do with Nike and she is out of the house a lot, my bird is out when my wife is home.

Also wonder what you think goes on in a flighted parrots home. There is no mad flights and crashing into stuff.. lol...

I've been a parrot owner since 1976, both clipped and flighted. I know what happens in my home. I never mentioned "crashing around" but you will see posts on forums warning about toilet seats being opened and birds drowning. Or about birds getting hurt in the kitchen.
In my case my main reason for clipping is fear of escape and to temper a bit the velcro bird syndrome. Last winter during the period between Nike being fully flighted and her spring clipping. I left her in the living room, walked through 4 doorways, about 45' and opened the back door in the kitchen. As I was about to step out, half in and out actually, Nike landed on my shoulder. She went to the vet the next day for her trim.

 

[Terry57]

Clipping is definitely a hot topic here, and there are strong opinions on both sides.
I think it is always good when both sides can be presented respectfully so people can decide for themselves.
My birds are all currently flighted, but I have lost a flighted bird in the past who slammed into a door. I have also clipped when one bird is aggressively attacking the others, and fortunately one time did the trick so didn't clip them again.
Everyone has their reasons for either clipping or not, and I think it is up to the specific parront to make that choice.

 

[Laurasea]

Most new parrot owners get a parrot from the pet store or breeder and the parrot is already clipped. They continue to keep the wings clipped and that is the end of the thought process for them.

At least this thread gives people a chance to spend some time thinking about clipping vs. not clipping. For some people it might even be the first time they even thought of keeping a bird flighted. That is actually works in the home environment, that there are phycological , behavior and health bennifits of flight. So it's very worthwhile topic to discuss.

Excerpt:
" We call this process ‘Thinking on the Wing’.The Parrot University has spent 20 years researching what makes a parrot “a parrot”. Our 20 year flighted parrot experience includes over 800 flock oriented pet parrots, and over 4,000 flighted baby parrots from more than 50 species. Cumulatively this amounts to over 7,000 bird years of hands on experience.


As a result we have found the number one characteristic that defines a “parrot” is its ability to fly. Flight is fundamental to every component of a parrot’s mind and body. "



Read more: https://www.windycityparrot.com/blog/2010/04/13/flight-important-parrots/#ixzz69oQqFlKV
Follow us: @windycityparrot on Twitter

 

[ParrotGenie]

Most new parrot owners get a parrot from the pet store or breeder and the parrot is already clipped. They continue to keep the wings clipped and that is the end of the thought process for them.

At least this thread gives people a chance to spend some time thinking about clipping vs. not clipping. For some people it might even be the first time they even thought of keeping a bird flighted. That is actually works in the home environment, that there are phycological , behavior and health bennifits of flight. So it's very worthwhile topic to discuss.

Excerpt:
" We call this process ‘Thinking on the Wing’.The Parrot University has spent 20 years researching what makes a parrot “a parrot”. Our 20 year flighted parrot experience includes over 800 flock oriented pet parrots, and over 4,000 flighted baby parrots from more than 50 species. Cumulatively this amounts to over 7,000 bird years of hands on experience.


As a result we have found the number one characteristic that defines a “parrot” is its ability to fly. Flight is fundamental to every component of a parrot’s mind and body. "



Read more: https://www.windycityparrot.com/blog/2010/04/13/flight-important-parrots/#ixzz69oQqFlKV
Follow us: @windycityparrot on Twitter

Agreed

Is also beneficial to there health as well. Plus most birds that fly into stuff by accident is usually cause by the bird being clipped before and have not been fully flight train properly and how to land. Yes they have to learn how to land and to overcome fear, it not nature instinct as people assume they would know how to as they are birds. They have learn flight and overcome fear overall and that take times. Baby broken a few feathers in the process of learning to fly, but she learned and can fly now above trees no problem and turn tight corners. It took me a little over a year and a couple vet visits to get her there. The longest process was adapting her to different noises, slamming doors, when she see a hawk and just being outside. Teaching her how to actually fly and land was not that bad. It was working out her behavior issue and fear issues. She still surprises me as she was scared of the new leaf blower I bought, saw me with it and took off and was lost for a few minute but had GPS on her and she heard me and flew back.

Actually you more likely will lose a clipped bird then one that flight trained properly. A clipped bird won't know how to land and come back if they decide to take off and wind was strong enough and a bird will fly higher and far if adrenaline get going and then they could see you and want to come back, but to scared to take that jump and ends up flying further away. That how most people lose their birds. If you don't want to risk them flying outside then harness train the bird, clipping alone not going to do it.

Now not completely against clipping, I clipped baby months ago as she injured herself lifting a grate and dropping it partially on herself and in the process broke a bone ruptured her secondary airsac and scraped her beak. So vet orders and she lightly clipped her and I had to downsize her cage to keep her in a small cage for a while when she sleep so she could heal which she did. So a bird with medical issues, or behavior issue clipping is acceptable. It always going to be matter of opinion on this one as there is no definite correct answer, you have both sides to this one, people that will agree, or disagree? It case by case pretty much.

 

[Laurasea]

Many parrots that never fledged and learn to fly have these fear problems.

At the fledging stage , it's wired into them to flap and build flight muscles, to hold onto a perch and flap till they get lift, to jump and start flying. After that critical life stage , it's difficult for them, sometimes impossible. They have also fallen as clipped babies and adults many times..

 

[ParrotGenie]

Many parrots that never fledged and learn to fly have these fear problems.

At the fledging stage , it's wired into them to flap and build flight muscles, to hold onto a perch and flap till they get lift, to jump and start flying. After that critical life stage , it's difficult for them, sometimes impossible. They have also fallen as clipped babies and adults many times..

That the issue I had with Baby and that what took time and vet visits. I had to teach her all this and for her to gain muscles and her heart built up as well, so she could handle flight and do it in steps, even through she did flap her wings every so often on her own before that. It took me over a year maybe 2 as was adapting her to outside environment while she was clipped and working on fear issues before that. Holding on to her perch and flapping away she always done that and even on my arm, It was her fear issues I had the biggest problem working out.

 

[LaManuka]

The common denominator with all these causes of death is people. Owners not checking those water dispensers are working. Owners allowing birds to interact with dogs/cats/small children/other birds, whether supervised or not. Owners using Teflon cookware. Owners allowing previously clipped birds wings to regrow and not training them how to fly safely or land. Pretty much everything on that list is caused by people, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not decent “parronts”. As I’m sure we would all attest, we’ve all had a heart-stopping experience where we’ve turned our back for a second and the bird has got himself into something/somewhere he shouldn’t be. I know I have! The price of bird ownership is eternal vigilance but unless you’ve got eyes in the back of your head sometimes even that isn’t enough!

 

[Laurasea]

Nicely said Lamanku

The following author wrote this so nicely....

"First of all, I would like to thank you for your interest in learning more about the importance of flight and the effects of wing-clipping. This is a controversial topic (to put it lightly), and I appreciate those who are willing to research it rather than passively accepting what they may have heard. Even if you find yourself disagreeing with something I say here, I still appreciate you taking the time to hear me out. I hope you choose to explore the site for more information on why flight is important and how clipping can affect a bird."

https://parrotvolancy.com/should-i-clip-my-birds-wings/

 

[Zettobi]

I don't agree with clipping unless absolutely necessary and advised by an avian vet. Birds falling in toilet seats? Make sure the lids are down or the bathroom door is closed before letting them out of their cage. Birds getting hurt in the kitchen? Don't let them in the kitchen/put back into cage or in another room when cooking. Clipped birds can still fall into the toilet and drown. Clipped birds can still get hurt in the kitchen. Clipped birds can still escape. Almost all "clipping for safety" reasons can be tackled by being extra careful and extra vigilant. I fully believe that the owner should take the steps in adapting their home/the bird's environment to ensure safety rather than changing the bird to suit the environment.

There are reasons to clip, but only after all other options have been exhausted. Clipping shouldn't be the first solution. Training is very important! I hope I don't come off too harshly, people obviously have their reasons to clip (even if I don't agree with them) but in the end, as long as the bird has a high quality of life we should be happy.

 

[Laurasea]

Follow up link
WHY SOME BIRDS ARE STILL CLIPPED
The most common reasons I have heard stated for clipping are:

To prevent the bird flying away should it escape outdoors
For “safety,” so the bird won’t harm itself by alighting on unsuitable places in the home or crashing into things
To make it easier to train and handle the bird while it is out of the cage
These issues can all be addressed with appropriate management and training.

In the U.K., according to John Hayward who runs the lost and found service with the Parrot Society, most of the escaped birds they come into contact with have been clipped. Owners of clipped birds can have a false sense of security, thinking their bird cannot fly off when outdoors. However, where re-growth of two or three primaries occurs unnoticed by the bird’s carer, then the bird can easily gain height in a light breeze and fly off. When a bird does escape, but cannot fly, it is more vulnerable to attacks from raptors, dogs, and cats, or being killed by road traffic.

By teaching a bird some basic flight requests (see the winter 2017 issue of the Journal) and introducing it carefully to potential hazards such as a windows and mirrors, indoor flight can be very safe.
https://spring2017.iaabcjournal.org/birds-need-fly/

 

[ParrotGenie]

I don't agree with clipping unless absolutely necessary and advised by an avian vet. Birds falling in toilet seats? Make sure the lids are down or the bathroom door is closed before letting them out of their cage. Birds getting hurt in the kitchen? Don't let them in the kitchen/put back into cage or in another room when cooking. Clipped birds can still fall into the toilet and drown. Clipped birds can still get hurt in the kitchen. Clipped birds can still escape. Almost all "clipping for safety" reasons can be tackled by being extra careful and extra vigilant. I fully believe that the owner should take the steps in adapting their home/the bird's environment to ensure safety rather than changing the bird to suit the environment.

There are reasons to clip, but only after all other options have been exhausted. Clipping shouldn't be the first solution. Training is very important! I hope I don't come off too harshly, people obviously have their reasons to clip (even if I don't agree with them) but in the end, as long as the bird has a high quality of life we should be happy.

This is the way I see it pretty much. I am the type that rather overcome fear and find solutions to a problem, it is my job pretty much. When it come to birds I rather let them have a decent quality of life then be held captive lock away in a cage most of their life. It actually more risky keeping your bird clipped as secondary flight feathers, or primary flight feather molt back in owner didn't realize it and all the sudden bird gain lift and fly out the door unexpectedly, or a windy day outside. Now they are in the raptors territory and a raptor needs to eat, it just how it is and then you have other predators like cats and etc. At least a flight trained bird maybe able to get away when chased and have a chance. Free flighted bird that are well train have even a better chance as they have the strength and taught mines to fly back and then they flock warn me. I do know area and limit risk of course. I seen over the years mostly clipped bird that get lost more then I do unclipped birds and likely don't survive as they can't get away from a predator and not use to outside surrounding, plus wildlife has to also adapt to seeing your bird and less they become a target. Then people don't know how to react when their bird fly to a tree and don't come down and make the mistake in panicking and use ladders to try to grab the bird which is the worst thing you can do when trying to recover the bird. Best way is to get spotters to watch the bird and take turns just in case it turn to days and get someone to bring cage outside with treat on top and inside cage and sit and wait. That bird then will likely overcome fear get hungry and make the jump, could take hours, or days even as they do want to come back hence staying close in area, just don't know how to and they are to scared with high adrenaline. If you do ladder they will get scared more and likely fly off.

I only clipped my female U2 once as she injured herself due to she thought she could just throw heavy cage grate as she usually does even when I tied it down to prevent her, but like a typical stubborn cockatoo cut wire ties and one day it backfired on her and she broke her bone and damaged her secondarily airsack, which needed to heal and could not just use a harness as bone she broke was in in area harness would go under, so vet stated flying was off limits so bone could stay set in place and airsack could heal and no large cage till she healed. She fully recovered thankfully.

 

[noodles123]

I have never clipped a bird's wings, BUT:

Devil's advocate--- while training does prevent a lot of this, there are people who adopt birds who have a lot of behavioral baggage and sometimes training takes longer than they have to get the behaviors under control while keeping the bird safe and not cage-bound....

Similarly, if someone does make training errors and things get out of hand, and there is a choice between A) keeping the bird locked up and B) TEMPORARILY trimming the wings for safety, I would say the 2nd is preferable.

People make training mistakes all of the time, and so I don't think it should be a substitute for training, but sometimes people have to deal with what they have in the moment--- you can't turn back the clock quickly enough in many cases and keeping the bird safe but social is important..