How to get a bird used to having its wings touched

A while ago now I bought Pixel an Aviator Harness. It took me a solid 2 weeks to convince her the red (only color they had) harness I bought her was not going to tear her limb from limb. So that's step 1. I can also completely wrap my hand around her head and she doesn't so much as bat an eye, so getting the upper loop of the harness around her neck is a non-issue.

My problem is that she will not let me so much as touch her wings. I can hold her beak, head, feet, toes, tail, and touch any part of her belly. But her wings? Forget it. So.... does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get her over this? I would really like to take her outside, that and I know they will almost certainly come a time where I need to be able to left and examine her wings.

EDIT: I should add, she has a severe fear response to her wings being touched. Always has. She was clipped when I got her from the breeder, and so I can only assume it was a very traumatic event for her. If it were simply a matter of her disliking her wings being touched I wouldn't be so apprehensive about working with her on it, but she reacts so severely I don't know where to start...

Harnesses are difficult to get a bird to accept unless started when very young. I have tried many times with many birds and several harnesses. Never got a bird to wear one. Suggestions for putting a harness on a bird are to set the bird in your lap. Be in a semi-dark room. And all sorts of other ideas that never worked for me. The only way I have seen it successfully done is with 2 people. 1 holding the bird, the other putting the harness on. I know some birds do accept a harness. Another tip is when you do get it on him, take him outside somewhere, immediately, so the bird associates the harness with going out on a fun trip. As for handling wings, I have started by running my hands down their back, and hesitating over the wings momentarily. And progressing at the birds comfort level. Do not stroke too hard, too often, or too low near its' rump. Those could contribute to mating behavior. Eventually, I touch wings individually. Examining them, opening them gently, and always talking to the bird. It takes some work & patience. Good luck.

My Gcc is the same way. He hates his wings being touched. I started when he was young with his flight suit. It was always a struggle. Even after it was on he continued to reach back and bite it. He absolutely hated it.
I finally gave up even though I used it often, just decided it was too traumatic for him. Recently I decided to try it again. OMG.........he almost killed himself. I got it on and then he started twisting and flipping so insanely so I was trying to open the velcro and he flipped and got so hung up I could hardly get him out of it. He actually fell to the floor and I couldn't figure out how it was so messed up. I struggled to free him and it got worse. Somehow he had gotten it around his wing and neck on one side. I actually thought he was going to die. I had to bend his wing feathers, don't know how they kept from breaking and finally got it off his neck. That is absolutely the last time I will ever try and use it on him. It was a hofrible experience.

Thanks for the advice, BillsBirds. I actually made a bit of leeway this evening with the harness.

I managed to slip the loop of the harness that goes on her head on, and slip it off, with hardly a complaint from her. She was clearly not thrilled but she tolerated it. And of course I told her how wonderful she was and gave her a grape. I think there is hope but I will take all the time in the world if need be.

Dishgal, that does sound like an unpleasant experience. I don't intend to put the harness on Pixel until she is totally okay with it, and if that never happens, she'll never wear it. But IF I can get past the wing thing, I feel there is hope. She did let me touch the very inside edge of her wings today (where they meet her body)... granted she was half asleep, and turned around and glared at me. But, no freaking out. That's something, right? lol

I would start without the harness... Clicker train... Touch a wing and c/t... When she's looking forward to that treat, go further... Lift the wing and c/t..

Get all the moves down, and then try the harness again, using the clicker and treats, as she should now have been taught..

I'm not very good at explaining things on paper, but if you look up clicker training parrots, you'll get some hits, which would lead you to people who can explain it much better than me...

I'm working n the same thing with my macaws. The aviator harness has been on Stella before , but lately when I have been trying to put it on she tries to eat it , lol.
And if she gets hold of the metal clips , forgetaboutit !!
I have given her a whole walnut in shell so she keeps busy and that has worked...

The baby , thats another story , lol. Por thingis fine with it going over his head , but he screamed when it touched his back. Funny though , it has been on his back before and I was treating him , but when it's around his neck and it touches his back , he reacts....
I can't figure him out some times...it's not like its tight or anything....

Some birds love their wings to be touched, others absolutely hate it.

After showering in winter, I always blow-dry Mishka dry, been doing it for almost 5 years now.
He has always lifted his wings for me, only this year he has allowed me to lift, open and rub his wings.

Perserve, be patient and you might be lucky.

Only success I had was with a Lilac Crowned Zon I put her on a perch at chest level got her into it and went straight out the door, She would put her own head thru the <>, to keep her from chewing the harness I carried popcicle sticks and gave her one to distract her it worked soon she paid the harness no attention but she was very impatient to have it off when we returned inside. As for touching the wings I'd try a form of the stick trick. Using a pair of chop sticks to pet her with and start touching under the wings and stroking the wings and giving scratches with them both sides at the same time. Most birds I've used this on have stood still and looked at what was touching them and at me but allowed it and started raising their wings sometimes trying to grab the stick but soon giving up to the scratches and enjoying them from there move on to hands and spreading out the wings one side then the other like a physical exam your vet would do. Hope this helps and good luck

To get my baby boy used to the harness , today I wrapped it around my hand and pet him and played with him . He looked at it , backed off a little , but when I continued to pet with the other hand , she forgot about it and allowed me to touch his back with the harness without screaming like he did the other day....that is a big step for now.
Tomorrow , the same thing , and i will add under the wings if all goes well.

Good luck with yours

This is what Mac believes a harness is supposed to be used for.

Hey , its Mac , Mac the Macaw
He is gorgeous !!
Yeah , that's pretty much what the baby boy thinks of his harness and Stella too

azdesertrhino said:

This is what Mac believes a harness is supposed to be used for.

Click to expand...

LoL he using it as a theething ring
Love the pos
Thanks for sharing