I have heard the warnings about taking a bird outside with no tether or harness. I have also seen many videos of folks sitting with what appears to be a fully flighted bird with no flight suit or anything outside in open areas. : Don’t read any further if you have a weak heart.... Lemme start with Gus. Two times he has slipped through an open door to the outside, once when it was rather dark. Both times, he would land on the ground and call to me. Both times, I would go to him, allow him to step up and try to calmly return to the house all the while I’d have this overwhelming urge to surround him with both hands and run to the house as quickly as possible. Good fortune or luck? Dunno but I was grateful beyond measure both times.
Now, to Max. Yesterday, I was heading out to check the mail and Max Velcro-ed onto my shoulder. So, like an idiot I opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch. He tightened his grip so I talked quietly to him, trying to calm him.....see where this is going? As soon as I had closed the door, he took flight, tried to get in through the door, and failing that, he flew up over the roof and was gone. I started calling him like I call him to me in the house and I could hear very quiet responses...little unsure coos, I’d call them. We continued this back and forth until I found him in a tree behind our home. I kept calling him, and briefly stepped in to alert my spousal unit to my current whereabouts and the reason I was there. I stayed on the back porch calling and he saw me from high up in the tree. I was sick inside for my poor judgement but I had eyes on him, so no surrender. I’m on the back porch talking to him and my spouse comes out to assess the scenario. He leaves and returns shortly with the Tupperware dish containing their pellets and seed mix. I shake it to call them to dinner each evening. So, he starts shaking the dish. Max LOVES his groceries and finally flew down to Jeff’s shoulder. In we went.
Again how fortunate am I? I can’t begin to express that. I’ve been harness training so I could take them both out safely. But, on a whim, all good sense left me and I risked his life/safety on a bad decision. We live in a very wooded area near a steam that feeds a nearby lake. We enjoy the company of red-tailed hawks, crows, owls, and eagles, not to mention the coyotes, foxes, bob cats, and neighboring pet cats and dogs. I couldn’t take him out of his cage today. I am torn. Max seems no worse for the wear, but I don’t trust myself. Just needed to get this harrowing tale off my shoulders so maybe there’s room for the birds there again.
Now, to Max. Yesterday, I was heading out to check the mail and Max Velcro-ed onto my shoulder. So, like an idiot I opened the front door and stepped out onto the porch. He tightened his grip so I talked quietly to him, trying to calm him.....see where this is going? As soon as I had closed the door, he took flight, tried to get in through the door, and failing that, he flew up over the roof and was gone. I started calling him like I call him to me in the house and I could hear very quiet responses...little unsure coos, I’d call them. We continued this back and forth until I found him in a tree behind our home. I kept calling him, and briefly stepped in to alert my spousal unit to my current whereabouts and the reason I was there. I stayed on the back porch calling and he saw me from high up in the tree. I was sick inside for my poor judgement but I had eyes on him, so no surrender. I’m on the back porch talking to him and my spouse comes out to assess the scenario. He leaves and returns shortly with the Tupperware dish containing their pellets and seed mix. I shake it to call them to dinner each evening. So, he starts shaking the dish. Max LOVES his groceries and finally flew down to Jeff’s shoulder. In we went.
Again how fortunate am I? I can’t begin to express that. I’ve been harness training so I could take them both out safely. But, on a whim, all good sense left me and I risked his life/safety on a bad decision. We live in a very wooded area near a steam that feeds a nearby lake. We enjoy the company of red-tailed hawks, crows, owls, and eagles, not to mention the coyotes, foxes, bob cats, and neighboring pet cats and dogs. I couldn’t take him out of his cage today. I am torn. Max seems no worse for the wear, but I don’t trust myself. Just needed to get this harrowing tale off my shoulders so maybe there’s room for the birds there again.