Just wondering

As this is the first time I have had a hand reared parrot and had it's wings clipped I had a thought pop into my head today and I am just wondering what the answer is.

If I have Puffins wings clipped regularly for years, is there ever a time when a bird forgets how to fly and you no longer have to clip them?

Thats an interesting question and I would like to know the answer too. I understand that if a bird is clipped too young it won't develop the required muscle mass to fly (although i'm not too sure). I don't think a bird will ever 'forget' how to fly as the flapping behaviour is almost an instinct, especially in a danger situation - but they can definitely be uncoordinated flyers if they never get any practice.

I have a budgie that had her wings clipped too young I think. It has taken me over a year to get her confident in her flying. My budgies only ever get clipped once.

I've heard that about the muscle mass, too. It makes sense...if you don't use an ability, it will atrophy. Our breeder said that some birds won't fly after they've been clipped - especially if they've been clipped young and/or for a long time over several molts.

We got Max when he was 7 months old and his wing were very clipped - nearly every feather down the edge of his wing and way too short, I'm surprised he didn't bleed to death. Anyway, he's molting and finally gotten 2 flight feathers on the left wing and 3 on the right...AND HE CAN FLY!!!! He's so excited about it. He absolutely loves it. He doesn't land very well, but he's working on that.

Not to hijack - but of the 3 birds we have in our house at the moment, they all of very different flying histories. Max's is told above...he's wanted to fly so bad for so long that it's great to see it. Jade loves to fly but I think maybe takes it for granted a bit since she's always been able to do it. Popcorn only flies as a last resort. He has full capabilities to fly, it's just not if favorite mode of transporation. I might suggest that he be clipped when he goes to my in-laws' house.

HRH Di said:

Anyway, he's molting and finally gotten 2 flight feathers on the left wing and 3 on the right...AND HE CAN FLY!!!! He's so excited about it. He absolutely loves it. He doesn't land very well, but he's working on that.

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So glad, he must be loving it. It is amazing how few feathers they actually need to take flight, I think many people forget this. Clipping flight feathers really doesn't completely take away their ability to fly, it just reduces their efficiency.

Clipped birds should get flapping exercises every day to keep the muscles in tone. If that is done on a routine basis flying should not be a problem for them. What are the names of your birds??

I think that if you never allow a bird to fly, eventually, it won't be able to because once the muscles atrophy, it takes a long time to get them strong enough again. Flapping helps a little bit but it's not enough, IMPO. And then there is the psychological side of it - some of them never become confident enough. I have a bird that has all her flight feathers but they had been clipped for so long (12 years) that she will not even try to fly even though she is capable of it. She would rather walk or jump.

Aussie Ben said:

HRH Di said:

Anyway, he's molting and finally gotten 2 flight feathers on the left wing and 3 on the right...AND HE CAN FLY!!!! He's so excited about it. He absolutely loves it. He doesn't land very well, but he's working on that.

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So glad, he must be loving it. It is amazing how few feathers they actually need to take flight, I think many people forget this. Clipping flight feathers really doesn't completely take away their ability to fly, it just reduces their efficiency.

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It's telling how severely he clipped. He got no lift whatsoever and literally dropped like a rock. He did his bit to keep the muscles ready, though.

For those who have clipped birds and would like them to exercise flight, here's a good technique I use with my keet if you're interested: Hold your bird on your pointer finger, and then firmly hold down one foot with your thumb (DON'T PRESS HARD TO HURT IT! just enough that it can't come out) Then very gently, wave your arm up and down to stimulate their wings to flap while perched on your finger. Be careful not to wave to fast because then your bird will try to fly off. I'll try to put up a video of it soon.

apatrimo94 said:

For those who have clipped birds and would like them to exercise flight, here's a good technique I use with my keet if you're interested: Hold your bird on your pointer finger, and then firmly hold down one foot with your thumb (DON'T PRESS HARD TO HURT IT! just enough that it can't come out) Then very gently, wave your arm up and down to stimulate their wings to flap while perched on your finger. Be careful not to wave to fast because then your bird will try to fly off. I'll try to put up a video of it soon.

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I have been doing this with Puffin from the first week we bought him home. I would say "Fly" as I moved my hand. Now as soo as I put him in that position and say "Fly" he flaps like mad! They are so smart!

caliopi said:

apatrimo94 said:

For those who have clipped birds and would like them to exercise flight, here's a good technique I use with my keet if you're interested: Hold your bird on your pointer finger, and then firmly hold down one foot with your thumb (DON'T PRESS HARD TO HURT IT! just enough that it can't come out) Then very gently, wave your arm up and down to stimulate their wings to flap while perched on your finger. Be careful not to wave to fast because then your bird will try to fly off. I'll try to put up a video of it soon.

Click to expand...

I have been doing this with Puffin from the first week we bought him home. I would say "Fly" as I moved my hand. Now as soo as I put him in that position and say "Fly" he flaps like mad! They are so smart!

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LOL! I never underestimate my little birdies intelligence!