Outside time.

Apollo4

New member
Sep 12, 2020
25
2
Gulf coast texas
Parrots
Apollo green cheek conure
Hi folks ive seen videos of conures just hanging outside with their owners and mine is constantly trying to follow me outside and loves sitting by open windows. But we have only had him a couple months. Anyone had experience with taking theirs outside is it safe. Also I know my bird NEEDS outside time fresh air and sunshine but don't know how long to leave him in his cage outside how much is too much.
 

Cagzo

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Jan 14, 2020
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Mid Glamorgan,South Wales,UK
Parrots
One Pineapple Conure.
Hatched late 2018.
I would never take Connie out without her being in her travel cage. You never know when something can spook them and off they go. I think like you, she would stick to me like Velcro,but it only needs a sudden noise......
She loves to go outside,she'd rather be outside near me when Im gardening,so doesnt mind the cage with a few treats.
My advice would be dont risk it.
 

KitKatPlus

New member
Sep 19, 2020
58
4
Santa Cruz, CA
Parrots
Caesar the tiel (foster)
Absolutely not. I know its hard to resist, but your bird is not trained to come back to you. Birds are not born with the skills to get themselves down from trees or roofs, so if she gets lift from wind (even if she's clipped), she will not be able to get herself home even if she wants to. The only way I would suggest this is if you free flight or outdoor recall train your bird (WITH A PROFESSIONAL!). Otherwise, you can harness train the bird so it's on a leash! It takes a long time, but its worth it if you want it that bad.

As for how long the bird should be outdoors IN a cage, if the weather is good - all day! They're naturally going to be outside, so if weather permits they would love to have that natural sunlight :)
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
It's not safe without a harness. You may think your bird will stick with you, but a sudden wind or something can frighten them and then they are too scared to come back because things just keep scaring them.

If I take Noodles out without a cage or harness, I tightly hold her feet (she accepts this). Even if she bit me, I wouldn't let go (but I've had her for ages and I don't really react anymore if it does happen)--- I never have her out for long, as she doesn't like me holding her feet for more too long...and I just take her on the porch (not anywhere that would scare her or cause her to twist her feet, lunge away, as this could cause injury etc)
 
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Apollo4

Apollo4

New member
Sep 12, 2020
25
2
Gulf coast texas
Parrots
Apollo green cheek conure
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Thanks for all the responses and I have to agree with y'all upsetting him for a little bit is better than something happening to him. I'd never forgive myself. South Texas is a dangerous place.
 

Laurasea

Well-known member
Aug 2, 2018
12,593
10,702
USA
Parrots
Full house
on Parrot 911 Alert a clipped GCC flew 4 miles, and sadly was killed by the finders cat who was outside....but she was honorable enough to let tge person who lost the burd know, so they could have closure....

I role out my bug cafes to the patio after I secure tge bottom grate and every door, outside time us important, even 15 minutes a day my vet said. But you have to stay with them! Or take tgrm out or fir a walk in a small travel cage. They make cool cheap clear back pack ones now, but tgry csn be hot so I use a little battery fan in a mesh pocket
 

wrench13

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Bird outside with out harness = lost or dead bird. Just a matter of time. Here is the math.

1/Bird outside with no harness x wind or scare/1 ( + time) = 1X lost or dead bird
 

fiddlejen

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Mar 28, 2019
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New England
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Sunny the Sun Conure (sept '18, gotcha 3/'19). Mr Jefferson Budgie & Mrs Calliope Budgie (albino) (nov'18 & jan'19). Summer 2021 Baby Budgies: Riker (Green); Patchouli, Keye, & Tiny (blue greywings).
Anytime I see those pictures or videos it gives me such Anxiety! So Many bird owners have experienced a Lost Bird which they never expected. They can Startle so easily and unexpectedly.

I take my Sunny out in a carrier I got from Amazon. It's called "Petsfit," it's similar to the Pak-O-Bird (but with less options), and cost significantly less. She loves it.

I tried harness training but it failed. (Tangled wing - vet visit - traumatized bird. No more attempts!) AT this point I think that's good; there are too many predator birds around here for her to fly safely outside even with a leash.

In that past I have taken the Budgies outside in their smaller-ish cage. But, they would rather just fly freely inside the house.

I do get significant, if partial, natural sunlight in my house by the way. If you can locate your bird's cage where it can get sunlight inside (though Not inescapably direct sunlight!), and also if your bird has some extent of freedom Inside, that can be good too.

(If there is not enough sunlight in your house you could try adding a daylight-spectrum bulb or two to your lighting.)
 

Alehner529

Member
Dec 6, 2018
111
15
Northern Wisconsin
Parrots
Sun Conure
I have mine outside with me in a small clear acrylic cage. She loves the sun and the cage is really easy to carry around with me when I am doing yard work. I would never have her outside without the cage.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 

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