Windows

[DrBob]

We are getting a 9 month old Congo Grey is a couple weeks. Our house is kind of in the boonies and has no curtains on the windows or the sliding glass door. We are of course worried about new bird flying into a glass wall, not knowing he can't fly through it. I know it is a serious danger. I welcome suggestions.

The Grey is 9 months old and I know they are pretty smart. Would it help to take him around to each window and show him they are very hard and impassable? We aren't inclined to put up curtains but.... His wings are clipped but not totally. We don't want him to break his breastbone if he falls to the hardwood floor so he can hopefully glide downwards but I know they might surprise us and fly pretty well.

So, again, do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Bob, and congratulations on your upcoming companionship!! Thanks for researching a potential serious problem.

I can understand your enjoyment with the absence of window coverings, but you will have to be very careful with your Grey. Some folks have literally walked their parrots around the home to preview the environment, taking care to let them touch the walls, windows, etc. I have not tried this myself as all windows have coverings of some sort, and my flighted birds are excellent navigators.

The clipping of wings is a very personal decision and the subject of countless discussions! My only red-line is the asymmetrical clipping that leads to out-of-control maneuvering. A symmetrical clip that permits a safe glide is far preferable. Curious, do you know if your bird learned how to fly before the initial clip?

 

[israel_gcc]

Hi Bob! Welcome to the forums.

There's a recent thread here discussing preventing bird collisions with windows from outside the house; many of the tips will be relevant to you!

A solution for the short term could be to put window stickers/decals up. You could even do something like cut snowflakes out of sheets of paper, and tape them to the panes. (One of the more successful crafts I remember from elementary school, haha)

You can also make window clings out of fabric paint - super easy to do, and can come out looking very nice! The bird isn't around yet so you wouldn't even have to worry about fumes from the paint as it dries (wouldn't recommend letting him chew on them once he arrives though).

If you have kids, I'd nominate them for the job - could be a great way for them to help out.

 

[Luckyandjenn]

Welcome to the flock

 

[GaleriaGila]

One of my usual suggestions...
Recommended to me in the early days... "wall and window training"... taking the bird around to walls and windows, and encouraging them to tap or at least experience the situation, so they can see that walls are WALLS and windows are HARD AIR. Has worked for us.
Demonstration... it's also a cute "trick".
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1lyE72pOs"]Scene 4 - Hotel Rickeybird - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Flboy]

Welcome, have fun in your new adventure!