Kiwibird08
Jogging around the block
I used to hold very similar views, but I have become more open minded with Kiwi because he is so vastly different than any other parrot I've ever interacted with. I very much try to keep in mind now that birds are unique individuals and not all the same. I will tell you right now, flight is not necessarily the "most natural" thing for a bird who's never flown either. We prepped for months doing daily flapping exercises to build up his muscles, tried 3 different methods to get him to fly and it was disastrous. It traumatized and/or frustrated him and there was just no willingness, ability or desire to learn. We finally decided he was best left clipped and to focus on other things. He eats a healthy diet and maintains a perfectly healthy (for his species) 420 grams. And just because he doesn't fly doesn't mean he's inactive! He's insanely active, always upside down, hanging by one toe and swinging from something or climbing up something (doesn't need vet wrap on ANYTHING), has (supervised) time every day to run on the floor and daily flapping exercises. I also intentionally give foraging that is very difficult to reach so he HAS to practice his birdy acrobatics to get his treat. I've seen bigger perch potatoes that could fly than my guy who can't! That has a lot to do with the opportunities provided to the bird and whether the owner allows/ doesn't care if their bird just sits there and does nothing (ever seen those birds with stripped down cages and no 'area' outside the cage to play in/on? Probably fed a mostly seed diet too! Those are the ones who get fat.).The main reason why I support unclipped wings is the health of my birds. They have super high metabolisms, and eat a lot. But when they don't get the energy out, that food turns to fat. Like in people, when you are overweight, your life expectancy is shorter. I want my birds to have healthy bodies - because I'd like them to live long lives with me.
Now, when it comes to the harness, I completely agree that it is unnatural. However, the aviator harness (the only one I really like) isn't super constricting, and you can get a flight line to allow them to fly around safely outside.
Birds are extremely delicate. Lots of things can hurt them. I try to use methods which will allow the least amount of risk.
Honestly, us having pet birds in itself is not natural. No matter how well we take care of our birds, it will never be like nature.
I really do believe it boils down to common sense and truly knowing your bird as an individual. I think people run into trouble when they fail to assess their individual situation thoroughly. ASSUMING your bird won't fly off when you take it outside on your shoulder, while your on the phone not paying attention because "he loves me so much" is stupid and you absolutely run a very high risk of loosing the bird. KNOWING your birds history of no-flight and holding his feet outdoors, and UNDERSTANDING that clipped wings do not mean no flight at all, which is what I do carries a much lower risk, and IMO, is no more dangerous than a flighted bird sustaining injury indoors. I also used to know a guy who had carried his fully flighted macaw around everywhere on his shoulder for over 25 years and his bird never left him.
As for a harness, Kiwi doesn't really like to be restricted. He's a big outdoors fan, so we have a Celltei Pak-o-bird for him now. We used to live in a rather 'flat' area with no trees he could get stuck in and he used to run freely in the grass. Now that we live in Oregon where theres huge trees everywhere we have the bird backpack. Safe and secure for longer outdoor excursions and car rides/going out in public.