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Birds are born to fly. It’s a simple truth, yet in the world of companion parrots, wing clipping was long considered the norm. Things are changing and over the years we've learned a better way—a way that allows our parrots to have more choices, better health, more freedom and a life that is fundamentally different than that of a clipped bird.
Right from the very first time a bird gets airborne they begin to experience changes that prepare them for life on the wing.
The Fledging Process: More Than Just a Few Days
Flying starts early and it's the first thing a parrot learns as it leaves the nest. No longer a hatchling this baby is a fledgling.
Fledging isn’t a quick milestone; it’s a complicated process that takes some time. Birds need to develop both the physical ability to fly and the mental acuity to process information and make decisions quickly. These skills will never fully develop in a bird who is clipped before mastering flight.
Here in the aviary, it takes our caiques about eight weeks after that initial launch to develop confidence and control. Even after those first few months, they continue to improve as they work towards mastering the skills of flight.
I have seen firsthand how essential this period is. They are still developing muscle tone, still figuring out how to maneuver in the air, and still fine-tuning their landings. A bird who has time to practice flying and landing as a juvenile (even if clipped later in life) will always be more adept in flight than one whose wings were clipped prior to gaining mastery in flight.
Many birds are forever deprived of these important life skills by being clipped before they truly learn to fly. As an aviculturist interested in experiencing birds how they were meant to be, I never clip my baby's wings.
Once parrots get passed this crucial fledgling phase and master the ability to fly there important benefits to allowing them to remain flighted throughout their lives.
The Benefits of Keeping Birds Flighted
There are countless benefits to allowing birds to remain flighted:
Strong muscles and better stamina - Flight provides the most intensive form of exercise a bird can get and helps keep them fit and healthy.
Improved heart and lung capacity – Flight supports their cardiovascular system, reducing risks of obesity and related health issues.
Enhanced mobility and balance – A flighted bird is less likely to suffer from dangerous falls.
Natural behavior - Flying is instinctual, baby birds will fledge on their own even if they are removed from the company of all other birds. It's hardwired into them and they are physically built to fly.
Confidence – Birds who can fly are more confident and secure. Flight allows them to get up high for security, flee from danger quickly and climb and hang upside down safely.
Better calorie regulation – Flying allows birds to burn more energy naturally, reducing obesity risks.
Choice - In our homes choice, variety and change are limited when compared to the wild. Flighted birds retain the ability to make choices about where to go, where to perch, when to leave or when to join in on an activity or when to socialize with others.
Flight offers benefits a birds physical, mental and emotional wellness that can't be satisfied any other way.
Creating a Safe Environment for Flighted Birds
One of the biggest concerns people have about keeping birds flighted is safety. I understand that fear, I've been there and done that. But with some commitment and some simple adjustments, it’s entirely possible to create a home that caters to the flight needs of our birds.
In my home, I provide flight cages and designated safe spaces where my birds can stretch their wings without worry. I make sure windows and mirrors are covered or that the birds know where they are and I ensure that household dangers like open water or ceiling fans are managed properly. With proper planning, flighted birds can live safely in our homes.
In a future post, I will explore the effects of wing clipping on parrots, the benefits of training in gaining cooperation with flighted birds, and how leaving behind outdated ideas and embracing modern birdkeeping practices has positively transformed my flock.