Sun Conure only had one wing clipped

Rustys · Dec 10, 2010

Hi guys! Long time reader, first time poster..

We've had a little green cheek conure for about a year now, all trained up (well, basic tricks and discipline anyway) and recently added a Sun Conure, Phoenix, to our family.

They told us he'd had his wings clipped, but didn't notice until we got home that they've only clipped his left one and they've cut way down (like this pic; http://www.sunnyhollowaviaries.com/photos/WingClip.JPG )

We've only ever trim our green cheeks wings flush with the rest of his feathers so he can fly in a straight line without lift, is this right?

My main question about Phoenix tho, should we clip his other wing down to the same level or let his left wing grow out?

Many thanks! Will get some info on us and some pics this weekend

triordan · Dec 10, 2010

i believe having only one winged clipped would make him unbalanced~ im still kinda new at all this but i do read a lot, im sure someone with more experience will chime in

Chris Winkler · Dec 10, 2010

Yes Triordan is correct! Having only one wing clipped is very dangerous for them. The can't balance and will fall. You need to clip the other side and try to make it about the same as the side thats already clipped.. Once they do grow out then if you choose to clip do so as you normally do.

If you only clip the outer 5 flight feathers then they can glide to the floor. I had to learn to clip my guys because the local pet store always clips 7 of the feathers and Echo would drop like a bomb and put him in risk of getting really hurt.

The last time I even tried to get them to only clip 5 and they still did 7 of them

So anyway I had a friend that used to work for them show me how to do it the correct way and have been doing my guys myself since.

On a side note for those here that are anti clipping I have lost 4 birds do to not clipping

and only clip once namely Echo starts to get to bold. With living in Pennsylvania where we spend a good 4 months a year at or below freezing

I can't ever let that happen again..

Rustys · Dec 10, 2010

Thanks Chris, I thought I had the right idea - just wanted to get a 2nd opinion before I did anything as it just seems like they're cut up fairly high.

He does drop in an awful flutter tho! After posting the first post, he tried to fly off the table only to spiral straight down. Poor little guy.

We do the same thing as you with Echo, when Burd the green cheek (original name, I know) gets a little too cocky he gets his clipped - plus it slows him down a little if he makes a v-line for an accidentally opened door.

Rustys · Dec 22, 2010

Well, after a trip to our local Avian vet, it turns out Phoenix is never going to fly. His right wing isn't properly formed and has no flight feathers, so who knows why the petshop clipped his other wing.

The upside, I guess we'll save on wing clippings at the vet! The down side, until he learns he can't fly, he's always going to fall in circles with potential damage. Time to make the house floor bird proof!

Just thought I'd post an update incase anyone was curious

GreenCheek · Dec 22, 2010

Aww, that's so sad.

Poor little guy! I'm sure you'll do great at keeping him safe though!

Von1983 · Dec 22, 2010

Poor Pheonix </3

Awwww bless him, I'm sure that now you know though he'll be safe as houses - bet he's still absolutely gorgeous though!!!

Rustys · Dec 29, 2010

Cheers guys! We're trying to make the house Phoenix safe now.. Little ladders and ropes connecting his cage to the play area and the couch, a huge cushy rug covering the hard tiles - for those experimental flights.

The missus is still devistated (she burst into tears when the avian vet told us)

He just did the cutest thing tho, on the floor trying to fly - he just kept going round in circles. After a few seconds, gave up and just looked up and made those typical conure happy noises wanting up

(As for the pet shop - when we went down to get the ladders/etc, told them about his issue.. they just replied with "well, do you really want him to fly?". Sigh)

Von1983 · Dec 29, 2010

ahhhhh silly pet shop.

He is what he is, it makes him even more special!

Sure he can't miss what he never has had. In time he will realise his limitations and accept them. He certainly won't be complaining because he clearly has parronts who understand what he needs and will do anything to help!

Well done!

Sun Conure only had one wing clipped

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