Harness?

ParrotLover7

New member
Dec 19, 2016
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Hey guys, when i get my eclectus parrot im gonna let his feathers grow(that is if he is clipped if not i might have to lightly clip him or an avian vet can do it so it prevents him from flying away during the trust building session) but im gonna leave him flighted and do need tla harness when we are going outside and even if hes free flighted?
 

Rival_of_the_Rickeybird

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None. My wife has one too many. Kidding!
Clipped or not, you ABSOLUTELY need a harness outdoors...
Eclectus parrots demand s lot of specialized care. I'm glad you're here, and reaching out. :p
 

chris-md

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Feb 6, 2010
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Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
Yes absolutely agreed. Outdoors = harness if not in a pak o bird or other travel cage.

Ekkies need the medium sized harness.

Good luck! With ekkies you're up against species habit of not wanting to be touched and manipulated much, which could make the harness training a more drawn out process (varies by the individual bird though; your mileage may vary). I wish you the best of luck!
 

Jeepnman

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May 20, 2015
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North Augusta, SC
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Female SI Eclectus
My female eclectus hates the harness. It took a long time for her to trust me to get it on over her wings. Awhile back, I was able to get it on her, but then it got stuck and she flipped out. Lots of screaming going on with both of us to get it off. With that being said, I had her clipped by a vet and less than a month after, she got loose and flew away. I was lucky to get her back three days later, but just know that a clipped bird can still fly!
 
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ParrotLover7

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Dec 19, 2016
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OMG thanks for that informative reply Jeepnman.(not that the others arent).
 

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
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Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
Keep an highlights somethig that gets brought up often around here. Newbies ask about clipping not realizing that when appropriately clipped (enough to let them glide down) they can still get some lift, and especially on a gusty day can get enough to get away. Can't reply on a clip.

Harness or carrier of some sort.
 

camo

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Jun 30, 2014
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Gizmo - Male Eclectus Parrot

Pebbles - Female Eclectus Parrot
I would do harness training (slowly, I think there is a big risk of taking two steps backwards if you try to rush harness training) from when you first get him/her. I am not talking about getting him/her harness trained in a few weeks from when you get him/her, I mean just really slow introduction, perhaps having the lead on your shoulder while your teaching step up, etc. I think it would be much easier if it was just something they recognise as 'normal' from the beginning.

I don't clip, and I think you would probably have better success (long term) if you went through the process of building trust without restricting flight, remember an eclectus will be with you for a long time, so their really is no need to rush things.

I don't think Gizmo was ever clipped and I suspect Pebbles was (or not given the room to fly), and Gizmo has incredibly good flying abilities (flying through partially open doors, going from near floor level to 9 feet high in a very small distance, hovering, etc), whereas Pebbles can fly, but with nowhere near the skill of Gizmo.

I do worry about what if he got out, but my thoughts are, Gizmo stands a much better chance of survival (and then hopefully rescue) if he has great flying abilities. He will hopefully be able to avoid traffic, cats and dogs, predators, etc, get to that tree close by rather than having to fly a greater distance to get the height needed to perch and feel safe (which could possibly be out of sight).

The other reason I often hear is to stop them flying into objects in the house and hurting themselves, but between Gizmo and Pebbles, Pebbles is the one I would be more concerned about loosing altitude or not being able to course correct during a flight.

These are just my personal thoughts obviously, I think clipping or not is a personal choice.
 
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Anansi

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wrench13

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outside = harness or pac-o-bird. Clipped or not. If you are very advanced you can try return training, but we have had one member that flew his macaw with out a harness, and she was return trained very well, but the wind that day did not cooperate and his beloved macaw flew away, even though she did not want to.

It has happened to me, I would not wish that on my worst enemy, you will feel the pain of having it happens decades and decades later. Skylar, my boy, here is hoping that you are still alive, living with someone who loves you as much as I did.
 

davefv92c

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Nov 29, 2016
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harness training what fun.(NOT)
I have not had any luck all Maxx does is run like hell when he sees it.
that is even after letting it sit on a table by his cage for a week or so trying to get him used to seeing it. now anything like even the camera strap seems to get him on edge. here is a pic I took of him yesterday trying to get a dirty beak pic.

so I have put the harness away and will bring it back out in another 6 months and try again. after all he is just 8 months old and more then likely just getting used to life altogether anyway. he sure has gotten quite active in the last month and seems like he is on the go all the time even in the cage still have not gotten much noise out of him other then the normal chattering which I do hear him trying to figure out words I have been teaching him. the noise is nothing compared to Sammy the Krazy Cockatoo.lolhttp://www.parrotforums.com/members/davefv92c-albums-pics-picture17506-p1010090.html
 

wrench13

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Harness training is different for each bird. a few accept it quickly, a very few. most , it takes seveal months of every night training. A few tke longer ( like Salty - we are going on 10 months ) and a few just flatly refuse harnesses. The key is training every night, trying to progress a tiny bit every night. Salty is at the point where he will put his head thry the head stall, and let me draw to other straps down onto his body. but not at the point where he will allow his wings to be put through the wing loops. thats our next hurdle. its frustrating indeed, he learns other 'tricks' so quickly, like in a day or two. He just has wing-a-phobia. But I am resolved that by spring, Salty will be harness trained and be able to enjoy the outdoors.

Keep trying every one, it can be done !
 

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