Clipped birds have better immune systems on average and are less prone to stress. They are also cognitively less strongly developed than flighted birds. I can try to see if I can find the studies where I read this, but to my knowledge this has been empirically studied.
Well said.
Aren't those all things that routinely happen to non-flighted birds? I may just be dense, but how does being clipped prevent a predatory pet from getting a bird? My clipped birds were all clipped to make them easier to catch and need me to help them get off the floor.
It's not about the owner, it's about the bird. It used to be the norm to have parrots tethered by their leg. We don't go around saying "It's up to you to decide whether an untethered parrot is the right fit for you".
No.
Only an untrained bird.
If you can't choose between a bird or a fan, birds are not for you. There are also alternatives to bladed fans.
Human error and irrelevant: these are problems whether your bird is clipped or unclipped. No household with parrots should ever have birds uncaged when there are uncovered bodies of water. This goes for both clipped and unclipped birds. Clipped birds can fall into them as well. Only difference is, an unclipped bird has the strength to possibly fly out.
Human error and once again irrelevant: You should never leave ANY bird out when a stove is on. This is irresponsible under any circumstance.
Predators and parrots should never be allowed to interact. Clipped or unclipped. Only difference is, an unclipped parrot can still escape up high. A clipped one can't. There is no logical reason to think that when you inhibit a bird's movement, it becomes better at predator evasion. Their instinct when there is a predator is to literally fly; not to call for their human to pick them up.
That... just doesn't happen?
Stepping on birds happens when they are on the floor. Flying happens in the air. A clipped bird spends more time on the floor because it can't fly. I think it reasonably follows that birds are more likely to be stepped on when they can't generate lift.
Doors can and should be closed under all circumstances, whether a bird is clipped or not.
I'm sorry that this happened. But this isn't because your cockatiel was flighted, but because you were careless. It should have never had access to your patio. Unclipped or clipped.
Not to hijack this thread, but Java is figuring out he can fly. He's thirteen years old and wasn't allowed to fledge, over the last two months, he's been practicing, albeit very ungracefully. I'm always looking for ways to keep the room safe for him. You can PM me if you want just so this thread doesn't turn into a how-to.There are many benefits for birds to remain ot become flighted, they get more exercise, they have more mobility, no danger of falling, better lung capacity and stronger hearts and lungs. It's easier for them to burn more calories so obesity can be less of an issue.
I just think it is better, I really feel like birds, even those kept as companions should be allowed to fly. While many birds seem to adjust and cope just fine when their wings are clipped it is nonetheless an adjustment and a disability at that.
Perhaps in an extreme situation clipping a birds is beneficial in some way but I think it requires careful thought and shouldn't be taken lightly.
Most any problem that wing clipping may seem to solve could likely be solved in other ways as well. I never like to see a bird clipped for a persons convenience.
In America, wing clipping has been recommended and done for so long, keeping flighted birds is a new idea to many and they just don't know how to make it work.
In many other countries, wing clipping has never been the norm and people know how to make it work just fine. I think with some minor adjustments in the house and minor changes in the behavior of all who live there are what is needed. The other piece of the puzzle is changing they way we are taught to handle our birds.
Training becomes important. By leaving a bird flighted we are relinquishing a measure of control and we need to learn how to gain cooperation instead. It's a different mindset, one that is only truly gained through experience. We need a plan, we need a place to start and we need an new tool set.
Instead of tools like towels and clipped wings we need treats, toys, cues and set routines.
I used to be like many others, I clipped those flight feathers because I was told that it was the way to do it. I did it as an attitude adjustment, to keep them from flying up on top high places, to make them easy to control, to make my life easier and to keep them safe. I thought it was the only way.
I have learned, I have progressed, I have overcome my fears and I HAVE FOUND A BETTER WAY.
I've had some great teachers, I've put in the time, I've put in the practice and I've developed the patience.
I'VE BEEN REWARDED. I have birds that are independent, well adjusted and well behaved. They come to me when they want to but they love to play independently or with one another. They go to their cages in exchange for a treat (usually), the come when called (most of the time), they don't scream unless something is wrong they are birds in the true sense of the word. Birds with a full set of flight feathers, birds with confidence and independence.
I can see the difference and I know they can feel it. This makes it worth the time, space and effort that it costs me. The price is small and the reward is great
I am happy to help anyone who wants to know more about what you they might need to do to keep flighted parrots safe and happy in their homes.
Write that down in stone somewhere. That is the bottom line.
