Wing clippings

[dna]

Ok, I always had mixed feelings on wing clipping. I didn't like the thought of taking away a part of what a bird really is....yesterday, my mind was changed dramatically. I always harness my lovelies when I take them outside, to the park, anything like that. But when I took Malachai, my male solomon eclectus, to the vet for a small beak trim....a terrible accident occured and what should have been a $35 quick visit turned into a 3 hour $300 scare of my life. I took him in his carrier and was asked to go in the room as usual for a visit and to take him out and get him comfortable sitting with me. So, doing as normal, I was sitting in a chair with him...when the doctor came in and for some reason, spooked the crap out of Malachai and he flew up...past her...and out into the large waiting room...straight into the window. HARD. Never have I seen a parrot so...how can I explain...messed up looking. I was crying by then...and carefully scooped him up. He was limp, wings out and falling, feet clenched, head down, mouth open. He was alive, but I could have sworn his neck was broken. He wasn't responsive although he was slightly panting and eyes were open and moving. You caan't imagine the pain I was feeling for him. The vet took him back for an ultrasound and x-rays although she didn't think much could be done...

15 minutes later she comes back...with a perkier...standing tall Malachai...still shaken up ofcourse...but..NORMAL. She kept him for a few hours. No broken anything. Brought him home last night and have kept an eye on him but...he is his normal self..dancing, talking, goofing off, eating well. Still watching him but SO grateful that what COULD have happened DIDN'T.

The reason for my post? That hopefully a random, tragic accident that shouldn't have happened, doesn't happen to one of you. Whether it's by clipping your unclipped birds OR by being very, very careful (even at the vet office where you feel safest). I thought I was....I'm so protective of my angels. But it only takes one instance.

 

[BanalityBob]

I am a big fan of wing clipping, mostly because it makes birds more dependent on you, meaning they bond a bit better. However, I get reminded of the accident preventing aspects almost every time I hold Gunter, my baby lovebird. He is a snuggle monster, but occasionally freaks about absolutely nothing, and takes off. With his wings clipped, he can't get far, and, since my house has a bunch of windows, he can't smack into them. I've seen many wild birds hit my windows from the other side, and I don't want it to happen to my babies.

 

[mnsalani]

I hope the best for your baby!

 

[dna]

He has been doing fantastic....Thank goodness! I have to take him back this upcoming Wednesday, and to be honest, I just want to keep him inside forever!!! Haha, but in all reality he still needs a beak trim. Thanks for the kind words!

 

[MikeyTN]

Im so sorry to hear what happened to your bird! Im a firm believer in clipping during training but I don't clip my birds cause some may develop feather chewing problem that's why I don't do it. I would suggest in leashing your bird to prevent that from happening or bring the bird out of the kennel only when the vet is ready with the door closed.

 

[mygirl]

we clip mylahs wings ourselves, it doesn't stress her in any way we make it into a big game and she gets a bicky, but the vet wrapping her in a towel stressed her out really bad now she hates towels, it only takes a split second for them to get hurt!

 

[dna]

That's how I feel too, Mikey...or felt that is. I have had him trained and he uses a harness all of the time. It was just a very rare, unexpected accident, but it had me as shaken up as he was. He is usually very calm and relaxed...this is a first time I have even seen something spook him. Poor guy. But, now I know to be even more careful than I was. And I thought I was pretty thorough. Parrots seem to bring new lessons all of the time lol.


@mygirl, Yeah I know how to clip wings as well..I had just chosen not to because I usually harnessed mine. But now, I am taking the other route with my Malachai. I hate to do it, but that was too scary to have ever possibly happen again.

 

[MikeyTN]

I have noticed Eclectus can be jumpy birds. I have read a ton of articles about how they tend to go into la la land. And don't I believe it....Mine does it too, I never walk into the room un-announced. A slight movement of the other hand that's not holding him, he would jump cause he got spooked. I always try to make him aware of what is going on before attempting something.

With no doubt in my mind when the vet walked in, someone he doesn't know very well, spooked him and he took off.

At least he's feeling better now, I hope everything will be all right!

 

[mygirl]

i agree with you on that they get sppoked easily, the reason we clipped mylahs wings is because she nearly flew onto the hot stove. as i said before it only takes a split second for them to get hurt

 

[MikeyTN]

No birds should be loose near kitchen during cooking period.

 

[Spiritbird]

My question here is why is there an uncovered window in an exam room of an avain vet? Seems to me this is a safety hazard.

 

[dna]

The window wasn't in the exam room...the avian vet came in the room and did not close the door behind her (not very smart or professional imo). He got spooked and flew past her into the waiting room and into the LARGE uncovered windows they have in there. Needless to say...it was a scary thing to deal with.

 

[Kokihi]

Wow! I'm so glad your baby is alright!

I have my bird fully flighted, and he loves flying around, but all the windows in my house have blinds covering them, and I have window-clings on the big mirrors and stickers on my little mirrors so he can see that it isn't open space so he hasn't flown into anything. I don't think I'll be letting him out while outdoors though, and the vet that I take him to is very careful about making herself known before opening the door to the exam room. (and she shuts it behind herself immediately.)I think I would do the same thing as you did, though, if he had an accident like that.

 

[Mayden]

Ok, I always had mixed feelings on wing clipping. I didn't like the thought of taking away a part of what a bird really is....yesterday, my mind was changed dramatically. I always harness my lovelies when I take them outside, to the park, anything like that. But when I took Malachai, my male solomon eclectus, to the vet for a small beak trim....a terrible accident occured and what should have been a $35 quick visit turned into a 3 hour $300 scare of my life. I took him in his carrier and was asked to go in the room as usual for a visit and to take him out and get him comfortable sitting with me. So, doing as normal, I was sitting in a chair with him...when the doctor came in and for some reason, spooked the crap out of Malachai and he flew up...past her...and out into the large waiting room...straight into the window. HARD. Never have I seen a parrot so...how can I explain...messed up looking. I was crying by then...and carefully scooped him up. He was limp, wings out and falling, feet clenched, head down, mouth open. He was alive, but I could have sworn his neck was broken. He wasn't responsive although he was slightly panting and eyes were open and moving. You caan't imagine the pain I was feeling for him. The vet took him back for an ultrasound and x-rays although she didn't think much could be done...

15 minutes later she comes back...with a perkier...standing tall Malachai...still shaken up ofcourse...but..NORMAL. She kept him for a few hours. No broken anything. Brought him home last night and have kept an eye on him but...he is his normal self..dancing, talking, goofing off, eating well. Still watching him but SO grateful that what COULD have happened DIDN'T.

The reason for my post? That hopefully a random, tragic accident that shouldn't have happened, doesn't happen to one of you. Whether it's by clipping your unclipped birds OR by being very, very careful (even at the vet office where you feel safest). I thought I was....I'm so protective of my angels. But it only takes one instance.

I've never felt the need to clip any of my birds, although I do understand the pros and negative of it, I always felt there was 'another' option. Just as birds learn not to fly into walls they can learn the same for windows, etc. Generally some window covering thing (cant remember the name) helps them to stop flying into things and then there is the aviator (or other leash) ALONGSIDE travel cages when needed. Meaning that the vet can look over your bird without you panicking about him fluttering off as you can just hold a part of the leash near his body so he can still walk about but can't take off so easily!

Thats my take on things anyway, I obviously understand it's different for different (especially non handtame/easily spooked) birds. etc. Glad your baby boy is okay. <3