Bird terrified of flight harness

[Rex1718]

My green cheek is around 4 years old and has never worn a harness. She has had her wings clipped one, but other than that has been a full flighted bird all her life.
The wife got me a aviator flight harness for her for Christmas. I haven’t tried to put her in it. But have tried to introduce her to it. She’s freaked out by it.
Any tips on how to get her used to it, before we work on getting it on her?

 

[Peachfaced]

Baby steps. Start with just having the harness out where she can see it.

Then change it slightly... have her go and touch it with her beak.

Once she's comfortable with that, move on to the next step. Get her to put her head through a loop of the suit. Just keep gently working on these baby steps.

 

[Hawk12237]

My green cheek is around 4 years old and has never worn a harness. She has had her wings clipped one, but other than that has been a full flighted bird all her life.
The wife got me a aviator flight harness for her for Christmas. I haven’t tried to put her in it. But have tried to introduce her to it. She’s freaked out by it.
Any tips on how to get her used to it, before we work on getting it on her?

I agree with Sadie on this. Patience and baby steps.
It's a new thing to your bird. Leave it out where they can see it, and touch it.
What you might want to do in the birds presence is you touch and handle the harness, put it up you your face and give the expression that it's fun and safe.
Bird are led by example from their flock master. Think of monkey see monkey do. If it doesn't hurt the flock master, it must be ok and safe. Follow me??
For example, my birds won't try any new food unless I try it first. Follow where I'm going with this. Lead by example.

 

[Rex1718]

Baby steps. Start with just having the harness out where she can see it.

Then change it slightly... have her go and touch it with her beak.

Once she's comfortable with that, move on to the next step. Get her to put her head through a loop of the suit. Just keep gently working on these baby steps.

Thank you, I’ve been having it hanging on my shoulder, or wrapped on my hand when handling her.
I just didn’t want to rush into it, but I will be glad when I can take her outside.
I think it will take a while, but definitely be worth it.

 

[Rex1718]

I agree with Sadie on this. Patience and baby steps.
It's a new thing to your bird. Leave it out where they can see it, and touch it.
What you might want to do in the birds presence is you touch and handle the harness, put it up you your face and give the expression that it's fun and safe.
Bird are led by example from their flock master. Think of monkey see monkey do. If it doesn't hurt the flock master, it must be ok and safe. Follow me??
For example, my birds won't try any new food unless I try it first. Follow where I'm going with this. Lead by example.

lol my bird is also scared of balloons, she has some strange quirks. Thanks for the reply. Slow and steady it is

 

[Peachfaced]

No two beings are alike, so just pay attention to her body language and prepare to go slower or keep working on a specific step repeatedly until she feels comfortable.

 

[Beasley]

I teach my fids this command to get them adjusted to the harness going over their heads. I do this until they’re very comfortable pressing their heads through the circle and have found it really helps once I start putting the harness over their heads. Also it’s extremely cute

 

[Sodapop&Co.]

I teach my fids this command to get them adjusted to the harness going over their heads. I do this until they’re very comfortable pressing their heads through the circle and have found it really helps once I start putting the harness over their heads. Also it’s extremely cute

How ADORABLE can you get. I'm in love.

 

[finchly]

@Beasley that’s adorable!

@Rex1718 there’s a long video on YT showing how to train them to a harness. It’s well worth watching.

 

[Gimby]

kudos to you if you can do it Ive never been able to train any of mine to accept it. mine just have screen rooms to go out in summer sun stinkers. listen to the pros on here