Do you clip your bird's wings? (cockatiels, parrots, conure, feathers)

[foxywench]

don't ask, im not agsint clipping wings, im FOR clipping wings, but ive also seen many birds get enough updraft to fly, ive known a number of clipped birds escape because their owners assumed clipped meant flightless...
its not eay to fly clipped but the right updraft anf a clipped bird can gain lift...

my point being was to the poster who was anti clip because of some weird association to leg amputation and not being able to walk, as I pointed out its NOT the same because birds can still get around both using their legs and via wing even if clipped.

[dontaskwhy]

Thanks for your clarification, Foxy.

[foxywench]

sorry, unfortunately sometimes my brain goes WHEEEEEE and leaves all sense of clarification behind lol.

[beera]

I know I already responded, but there is nothing wrong with clipping as long as you keep your bird safe from things that can hurt it. Like other pets! Or small children...

[dontaskwhy]

Originally Posted by beera

I know I already responded, but there is nothing wrong with clipping as long as you keep your bird safe from things that can hurt it. Like other pets! Or small children...

Good point.

[Derek41]

Not anymore, 2 cockatiels and 2 lorikeets, unfortunately don't get them out of the cage enough now.
The lorikeets, Scaly Breasted and X Rainbow, are very hard to keep tame anyway.
One cockatiel will fly around and land back on your shoulder, the other won;t.
Strange the lorikeets are very social together, but the cockatiels have nothing to do with each other.

[KarlaT2]

We have a sun conure - no wing clipping.
I feel it's healthier for the bird. He flies from one of us to the other greeting his flock.
He was clipped when we got him, but we never clipped him again. I always put him away (or in the portable cage) when any cooking or cleaning is going on (he hates the windex bottle-but that's another story), and close all the toilets.
He's a very bratty spoiled little bird, but very happy flying all over the place.

[dontaskwhy]

Nothing wrong if you don't clip. We all are entitled to our own opinion.

[zoey35]

I have a beautiful 4 year old Blue and Gold Macaw. I have always had her wings clipped since she I weaned her. I procrastinated and her wings grew out. She got out an open door and was out with no food or water for 6 days. Thankfully I kept track of which trees she was flying to. Thankfully we were able to coax her down low enough that we could retrieve her.

In the wild flight is "natural", but when we domesticate these creatures as our pets and family members it is no longer natural. The safety of these creatures is the most important thing. No matter how careful you are accidents can occur. My Zoey was petrified outside. She didn't really know what flight was. She only took flight when she got spooked.
These domesticated birds do not know how to hunt for food or survive on their own. There are natural predator that birds who accidently get out often fall prey to. I would much rather have my babies wings clipped than have her become prey or starve. She endured a nasty thunder storm while she was out, and I was thankful yet surprised that she survived.

Zoey walks all around my house and is quite happy and content with her wings clipped. Outside however, she was traumatized by her "flight" experience. I am so grateful that we were fortunate enough to get Zoey home safe and sound after our mistake. Everyone is not so lucky. My birds wings will always be clipped.

[metalmancpa]

I have a Cockatiel, Lovebird, and Sun Conure. I keep all of them clipped.

As others have mentioned, I notice when I let their wings grow and they start to fly, they are more aggressive. Also, each time they start to fly before their next clipping, they all get a bit more jumpy and fly scared more frequently. Plus, I just refuse to be one of those "stories" where my bird flies out of the house.