What's your opinion on free flight/wing clipping?

[cupcake]

We're about to welcome 2 new parrots into our home, an eclectus and a conure.

We used to have a lorikeet who came to us wing clipped, and was kept that way. We did let his wings grow out one time, and he loved flying around, but he used to make a mess and crash into things, this is also how we lost him… he flew out a door that was slightly open and got stuck in a tree, we couldn’t get him down even though we tried for hours, eventually we just had to go to bed and when we woke up he was gone, one of the saddest days of my life. ):

Now that I am getting a bird again I am unsure of what to do with his wings… do we clip for safety and fear of the same thing happening that happened to our lorikeet, or train him to prevent this from ever happening and let him enjoy his natural gift?

I’m very undecided on the whole thing and the thing that worries me most is even if they’re trained, once they’re in the sky that’s it… if they get scared of confused or feel like being naughty there’s not way you’re going to catch them.

What do you guys do?

 

[Rennagade]

I am constantly debating this topic with my friend!!! I believe that you should clip wings of non native birds, birds that spend a great deal of time out of an aviary and birds that have been hand reared. For example...If I had a tiel or rainbow lorrie in an aviary I wouldn't worry about it AS MUCH because they are native and would have a greater chance of survival with all the wild birds of the same species to live with.
BUT I always clip my Alex's wings. Even though they are very confident well handled birds, It takes only the slightest thing for them to get startled (sometimes at things i dont even notice!) And when a bird panics its natural for them to try to fly away up high! Once they have calmed down they might not remember the way home or just decide that they may as well have a look around with their new skills! My Alex's have NEVER flown and my friend thinks this is cruel. I think it would be meaner for me to let them fly and then take that away from them. As it is my boys just flaps his wings for a stretch. He doesn't even flap properly to stop himself kaplunking on the ground!(he is such a dork!)
My Alex's don't have any natural instincts so they're only chance of survival if they did fly away would be if someone found them before a dog or other predator or starvation did! I think this can be a bit of a touchy subject with some but I think "each to their own!" Good luck.
Oh and my breeder has both flighted and clipped birds. Her breeders that stay in the aviary are flighted but just to note: her aviary is also inside a larger enclosed protected area so even if they did escape from the aviary they would still be able to be caught!

 

[IolaniAviary]

I believe in clipping wings, but I can honestly say none of mine are at the moment. None of my birds are flighty, I clip them only if I feel they need a lot of work and are flighty in nature. I think if you have a lot of people in and out of your house or the area where your birds are is close to a door, then definitely clip them. Go by the birds!

 

[wibitywab]

I believe in clipping them, but not to the point where they can't even glide down if they fall!

 

[Rennagade]

Just to clarify...I ONLY clip flight feathers! Zeus is just a lazy clutz! We have to do "excersises" every day where I MAKE him flap his wings because he is so clutzy. Gretchen can cruise to the ground just fine but Zeus just drops to the ground. REALLY CLUTZY!!! I was hoping it was just an adolescent thing????

 

[cupcake]

I believe in clipping them, but not to the point where they can't even glide down if they fall!

Yea, my lorikeet had a great wing clip when he came to us, when they started to grow again we took him to the local vet for a wing clip... and she did a HORRIBLE job, she clipped it right down to the bone pretty much! His wing look like a cooked chickens wing for ages... it was SO sad, I felt so horrible. We took him to a avian vet after that... poor thing. ):

 

[oled]

my amazon is wingtrimmed so she can glide for about 8 meter in dowgoing direction

 

[Atwee921]

I dont believe in clipping. I think it is okay for training your bird. When I get my bird I will harness train him and bond with him when his wings are clipped and then letting him free flight (only when his harness is on, outside and inside). I think that flying is a great way to get energy out and birds bodies were made for flying. Flying is actually important to your birds health. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVPqZtOWuwY&feature=player_embedded&list=PL191F9F3F1BEA1A1D]‪Interview 1 of 5, Why Flight Is Important To Pet Parrots‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]

 

[suncon97]

I believe in wing clipping because you never know when a family member could leave a door open accidentally or create other hazardous situations that birds that can fly can get into. I'd rather keep a bird safe than take the risk of losing it.

 

[birdybabies]

I see the good and the bad in both sides. At the end of the day, it is your decision and yours alone. None of us live in your home and know your circumstances, we can only guess from what you have told us and offer our experiences and views. My budgies are not clipped and never have been but do not want to come out of cage (I do open the door regularly, but they wont come out) but cage is quite big and they can "fly" round it, no problem there. Tiel and gcc were both clipped when I got them. I am undecided what I want to do when their feathers grow back. Just going to wait and see. One thing I have noticed is, the cats and dog take no notice of these two when they are on my shoulder but if one of them decides to do the "wing-clipped" flight, the dog especially, gets very excited.

 

[HRH Di]

I see the merits of both sides of the debate. However, from personal experience, I'll keep my birdies fully flighted. Max was clipped when we got him. The clip was badly done and too many feathers clipped. After he molted we left him flighted, it was the best decision we ever made for him. He is so much happier now than he was when he was clipped. He's almost a different bird.

Before Jade was weaned and we were visiting her at the breeder's, there was another little CAG there who I just loved. He was a little dickens and instigator with the other babies (who all happened to be rfms). He's was the final push I needed to completely fall in love with Greys. His family wanted him to be just lightly clipped because they had high ceilings. After the clipping he was a completely different bird - for the worse. He could still fly, but couldn't keep up with his rfm siblings and would just sit on a perch and hunker down. He looked sooooooo sad!

I understand that clipping is a personal choice and we have to do what we feel is best and I would never condemn anyone for clipping their bird. Ruby isn't a very graceful flyer - is just a mode of transporation for her - but I wouldn't take it away unless I had to. And Jade is an amazing aerial acrobat. She loves to fly and swoop; she would be the last birdie that I would clip, although if I felt it were better for her safetly, I would.

Our breeder free-flies 4 of her RFMs and her Scarlet.

 

[John]

I believe the decision whether to clip or not to clip wings is one that each parrot owner needs to make for him/herself. I don't believe is is a "moral issue" or an issue of one choice being "good" and the other "evil". It is a matter of animal husbandry. Don't let ANYONE pressure you or make you feel guilty for your choice, as long as you honestly believe you are doing what is best for your birds.

IMHO, the best choice depends upon the bird owner, the bird owner's family and home situation and the individual birds. I believe a bird owner needs to do research, examine their own unique situation and then do what they think is best. While emotion will be involved, I think it is important to make the choice rationally, rather than emotionally.

The general assumption is that unclipped = happier while clipped = safer. While there is some truth to that, sometimes the opposite can be true.

Some things to consider (there are many more).

1) What dangers will the birds face if flighted/clipped?

Are all family members responsible enough to keep doors and windows closed, and ceiling fans off, when a bird is out of the cage? If not, perhaps clipping might be best, to prevent escape or accidents.

On the other hand, if you have other pets that might be predators (cats, certain dog breeds, etc.) your bird might be safer if it can fly.

2) Will your bird be happier flighted or clipped?

Again, most assume that a flighted bird is a happier bird, and in many situations this is true. However, if the bird's ability to fly makes it less friendly to you, and more difficult to deal with, you might end up spending less time with it and leaving it locked in the cage more often. Temporarily clipping to work on behavior issues might be called for in some situations.

Also, a clipped bird is more likely to get to go outside, have access to more of the home, and perhaps go to visit other places.

Think about what you plan to do or would like to do with your birds. If you don't see yourself taking them outside, whether clipped or flighted, leaving them flighted might be better. But if you think your birds might miss out on a lot of fun because they are flighted, clipping might make sense.

Also, don't be afraid to think about what will make YOU happier and enjoy your birds more. The more you enjoy your birds, the more likely it is that you will spend more time with them and give them better care.

I have a 4 year old Green Cheeked Conure who is flighted. He is a good flyer, but doesn't choose to fly very often (maybe once every week or two). He did get seriously injured one time, when one of my children accidently closed a door on him while he was flying. We took him to the vet and thanfully he made a full recovery after a few week of rest.

My 3 month old Red Bellied is currently clipped. I haven't decided whether to keep him that way, though I am leaning toward allowing him to be flighted. He is larger than the GCC, and I want to make sure he won't hurt him. (So far the GCC has been very slightly aggressive toward the RBP and the RBP tolerates it well and seems to want to be friends). Assuming he doesn't display any aggression towards the GCC or the family, I will probably not clip his wings.

My personal opinion is, that when practical, it is better to keep a parrot flighted, but again there are many factors and nobody should tell a bird owner that he must or must not clip.

The great thing is that whatever choice one makes, it is temporary. You can always see how your birds do flighted and clip them if it is not working out. Or if you do decide to clip they are only a molt away from being flighted again.

 

[Conurekidd]

Hahaha blawahaha. Your excuses are hilarious!!!
First off this is a delicate subject. So ima be as civil as possiable because I'm a rehabilater and been taught the impotencies of flighted birds. However it is a persnonal decision on what you belive to be done.

First myth. My bird will be more mean if he's flighted
NO!!! Excuse. Odds are they'll chase you for attention haha. I see it everyday.

Second myth. Can't control my bird. Outta control.
Don't be lazy. Train your bird. It takes a tiny bit of extra effort.

Third myth. My bird is happier clipped. More of a bond.
This is acually true. But in a wrong way. The bird is now dependent on you. And you for everything. It's embarrassing for the bird.

This is why I belive they should be flighted.
If your bird escapes. The chances of survival is so slim you probably won't get em back. A cat will. Vs a flighted parrot-- the chances have increased by 100% anyone I know whom lost there bird and was fully flighted they got back. Later found In a tree or something.
Never the less they got them back. Also important emotionally. Birds native instinct is flight. It's there natrual defense. Sometimes when a birds clipped they lose all ABILTY of flight even when the flights are back. Only sometimes.

This is an owners decision though and I understand why people clip there birds.
If you feel you have too. Then do it. But that's my opinion.
Also freaks the bird out.

 

[antoinette]

I have had an op. can't drive for 6 weeks ( 4 more weeks to go) grrrrr
SO I am going to give Mishka the pleasure of flying and not clipping his wings. Will see how it goes and take it from there.

At home, Mishka is only out his cage from 5.30pm till 8pm.
Someone is always sitting with Mishka when he is out his cage.
Our household is an extremely quiet one where visitors are concerned. We have very strict rules, before a visitor comes in, Mishka is put back in his cage. We have followed this rule for years, actually become a habit now.

Our front door is never left open (we live in an apartment, stray cats.....). We have a balcony, enough fresh air coming in.

Mishka has began to fly, from the kitchen through to the lounge, on command. So far so good.....

 

[Garnet]

It is not true that a fully flighted bird that somehow escapes will be found by their owner. My sun conure has been missing since March and we never caught sight of him again after he flew off into a thick growth of trees. Weeks and weeks of going out looking for him, putting up flyers and contacting everyone we could think of, did not bring him home. My only hope is someone found him and he is still alive, I truly wish now that I'd clipped his wings instead of allowing him free flight. So, if you think a fully flighted bird can be easily found, that is a myth.

I agree with the opinions others have given, it is an individual decision based on your personal environment. My previously flighted birds have all been clipped and their personalities have remained the same.

 

[Conurekidd]

It is not true that a fully flighted bird that somehow escapes will be found by their owner. My sun conure has been missing since March and we never caught sight of him again after he flew off into a thick growth of trees. Weeks and weeks of going out looking for him, putting up flyers and contacting everyone we could think of, did not bring him home. My only hope is someone found him and he is still alive, I truly wish now that I'd clipped his wings instead of allowing him free flight. So, if you think a fully flighted bird can be easily found, that is a myth.

I agree with the opinions others have given, it is an individual decision based on your personal environment. My previously flighted birds have all been clipped and their personalities have remained the same.

Woah! This is not a debate. Opinions only. FACT is a flighted bird has a better chance at survival. I never said you would get em back. I said everyone I KNOW has got there escaped bird back for people that had a escaped clipped bird never came back and eiher found dead or not at all. Flitted bird can escape danger. There built for it. A clipped can't. FACT is there is an improtant muscle that need exercise and wen clipped they can't phiscally train or exercise that muscle. FACT is flight emotionally impacts a bird.
FACT is the reason people believe it creates a stronger bond is because the bird is more 'co dependent on there human'. Leaving them no choise but to rely on you for either movement or anyother reason. Clipping is based on the tenders feeling on it. I'm just stating science behind it and my "opinion" on flighted vs non flighted. All I'm saying is there a healthy and sub conscious benefits in a flighted bird. Again it's my opinion in which was asked.
Heres my believes. I'm sorry your sunny got away. Hopefully someone found him and care for him now. Odd are he did. Flighted birds tend to survive alot more than you think .

 

[John]

It is not true that a fully flighted bird that somehow escapes will be found by their owner. My sun conure has been missing since March and we never caught sight of him again after he flew off into a thick growth of trees. Weeks and weeks of going out looking for him, putting up flyers and contacting everyone we could think of, did not bring him home. My only hope is someone found him and he is still alive, I truly wish now that I'd clipped his wings instead of allowing him free flight. So, if you think a fully flighted bird can be easily found, that is a myth.

I agree with the opinions others have given, it is an individual decision based on your personal environment. My previously flighted birds have all been clipped and their personalities have remained the same.

Woah! This is not a debate. Opinions only. FACT is a flighted bird has a better chance at survival. I never said you would get em back. I said everyone I KNOW has got there escaped bird back for people that had a escaped clipped bird never came back and eiher found dead or not at all. Flitted bird can escape danger. There built for it. A clipped can't. FACT is there is an improtant muscle that need exercise and wen clipped they can't phiscally train or exercise that muscle. FACT is flight emotionally impacts a bird.
FACT is the reason people believe it creates a stronger bond is because the bird is more 'co dependent on there human'. Leaving them no choise but to rely on you for either movement or anyother reason. Clipping is based on the tenders feeling on it. I'm just stating science behind it and my "opinion" on flighted vs non flighted. All I'm saying is there a healthy and sub conscious benefits in a flighted bird. Again it's my opinion in which was asked.
Heres my believes. I'm sorry your sunny got away. Hopefully someone found him and care for him now. Odd are he did. Flighted birds tend to survive alot more than you think .

With all due respect, YOU are the one who turned this into a "debate". You put forth a bunch of strawman arguments and the knocked them down and ridiculed and insulted those who do keep their birds clipped.

You also made the ridiculous statement that being dependent upon a human is "embarassing" to a bird. Do you really believe birds experience embarassment?

You also made the illogical comment that flighted birds have a better chance at survival. This makes no sense.

a) Clipped birds are FAR less likely to escape in the first place. The best way to survive an escape is not not escape in the first place.

b) If they do escape, clipped birds are much easier to recover.

c) Most flighted birds that escape are not recovered. They can also be killed by predators, but many suffer much worse fates, either slowly freezing or starving to death.

There is no denying that having a bird flighted is riskier. Each owner needs to decide how able they are to minimize those risks and if they are willing to take those risks, to allow their birds the benefits of flight. It is a difficult and complex decision.

As for exercise, in theory I'm sure flying is good for birds. However, in real life, most flighted pet birds don't fly all that much anyway (at least in my experience) so the potential health benefits may not be realized.

Again, I've never had a bird clipped (though I would if I thought it was best for a particular bird) and I believe, if practical, it is better for birds to be flighted. However, there are certainly pros and cons to clipping and nobody should be insulted or ridiculed for making either decision.

 

[Beilana]

I believe in everyone's right to choose what is right for THEIR feathered friends

From personal experience I do NOT believe in clipping MY parrot. This is because Chia was a feather chewer. She chewed her chest and her tail, since letting her wings grow back she does not chew anymore and looks 100% healthier and happier. I love the fact that she can fly around and fly to me when she wants and fly away when she wants. She can fly to her food when shes hungry or fly to my neck for a snuggle. She even flies to greet me when I come home. I can see that she is happier now even if she can't tell me in words. I believe flight is a gift and taking it away seems cruel to me. To me taking away her flight would be like taking away my legs, yes I could still get around and do most things I could before but I would still be handicapped. I respect others opinions and choices regarding their pets as I am not in their shoes and never will be. This is only my belief based of my experience and judgement

 

[Autumn]

I dont believe in clipping. I think it is okay for training your bird. When I get my bird I will harness train him and bond with him when his wings are clipped and then letting him free flight (only when his harness is on, outside and inside). I think that flying is a great way to get energy out and birds bodies were made for flying. Flying is actually important to your birds health. ‪Interview 1 of 5, Why Flight Is Important To Pet Parrots‬‏ - YouTube

Why not be on the safe side and have them clipped so when you go outside your money, time, and joy doesn't fly off. And at same time stimulize the birds as if they were flying with a immitation: Have the bird on your arm or finger and when theres a breeze rise and lower your arm and he will start flapping and hence let out energy. If no breeze is available jogging while doing the same as stated before you can create your own, slightly but enough to be an immitation.
I did that with tiel and dusky, if you can't have the actual thing- improvise.

 

[Netty]

I myself won`t clip a birds wings until they have mastered the art of flying. There can be many issues arise otherwise. I normally keep my birds in a room that only has one door and have something that prevents access to outside of it when they leave the room they are wearing a harness.

I got advice from a fellow parrot owner about what to use as a `barrier` for larger birds.

Beaded door curtains, not the thinly beaded ones but the ones that have LOTS as the birds can`t fly through them but you can easily get in and out of the area with safety (especially handy if you have a bird room!)

Like these ones (not the spaced out plastic ones but the bamboo and wood ones)
Beaded Curtains Painted Bamboo, Painted Scenes Bamboo Beaded Curtains, Bamboo Curtains with Many Strands, Bamboo Curtains Thick Beads, Hide Closets with Bamboo Curtains, How to Cover a Doorway with Art, Bamboo Door Beaded Curtains

BEST advice I have got since I prefer to NOT clip my birds wings.

I am a big fan of the HARNESS easiest way to prevent your bird from flying away- if it is out of a safe secure area put a harness on your bird! for smaller birds harness`s can be made out of shoelaces! its a simple solution to allot of heartache! the hard part is getting the bird to accept the harness LOL.

This is just my opinion on the subject but i have found my birds more confident when they are fully flighted as opposed to clipped.

Just my $0.02