Life with a flighted bird

was wondering if you would share some stories of life with your flighted fids
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Parker is still learning to fly right now and seems to be getting into trouble all the time...the other night he flew down from his play area and walked over to the couch...we were eating dinner and didn't notice, when all of a sudden my husband got a little nip...guess who...I figure he wanted what we were having...the husband wasn't to impressed

My family and friends seem to have an evil genius about when I've got the Beaks out. Someone *always* turns up! Then, I have to go through the motions of offering coffee and polite conversation (all the while irritated at the break in our routine). The funniest one is my sister, who sits there with a pained expression on her face as the Beaks zoom back and forth over her head. They really do fly low enough to part her hair for her! LOL! Then, when they've had enough flying, they'll land on her head and go for the shiny screws in her glasses. ROTFL!!! All the while, she'll be sitting there going 'it's all right... really... no, it's all right... just so long as they don't bite me... it's all right'. I know she doesn't mean it, but then again, my sister has always been a very bold girl and not as good as me.

At first, I used to try and remove the Beaks from her shrinking self, but then I remembered the time she put me up on her seventeen-hand horse and shrieked with laughter as he carted me off around the paddock. (Did I mention she'd neglected to put his bridle on?) So, no, I don't remove the Beaks any more. She can fend for herself. At least my birds aren't seventeen hands!

Last time she visited (which she does every week as we are best friends in spite of everything), *darling* Barney did a big fat poopie just as he flew over her head. No, sadly it didn't go in her hair. But it did go on her glasses and she nearly fell off her chair. I love Barney.

For myself, I *love* the sensation of standing still as my birds go whoosh over my head. It's like angels' wings!

When Alice first came home one of the saddest things was when she was seriously scared by something she'd shoot up a few feet into the air, then tailspin back down to earth with a thud due to her one sided wing clip. Now her clipped feathers have mostly molted, and although she only makes little flights from the sofa to the cage, seeing her airborne and in control of herself is the most wonderful feeling.

I will doubtless feel differently about this when her confidence is up a notch and it's impossible to keep her in one place...

It is certainly more challenging to live with a fully flighted bird as opposed to one whose wings were cut off. It has its advantages and disadvantages. But to me (bear in mind it's my opinion and not trying to make anyone feel guilty which seems to be the assumption of some people when the subject is raised), the positives of a flighted bird far outweigh the negatives.

They will certainly be more head strong. They now have a choice. They can fly from you if they don't agree with something you're making them do. Before they had no choice. This is where your skill and discipline as a parrot owner comes in. A parrot can be taught to mind and behave, it is up to you to show them. Consistency and laying out the ground rules early on is key. You don't want them flying anywhere near the stove? Be vocal and show him a gesture he'd understand that you are not pleased. Be calm but be assertive. Give him affection when he does something you like. Anything that is repeated enough gains traction and becomes a habit.

Modify your home and educate every one who lives in and visits your house to ensure the safety of your birds. Doors, windows, ceiling fans... It is really not that difficult. It just needs extra awareness and effort.

The great thing about having my bird flighted is that he seems so thrilled zooming around the house. I don't worty anymore if he's getting enough exercise. He can release his pent up energy. I can see him be a bird if one for a while.

I'm in kinda the same boat, my conure is 3 feathers short of perfect flight feathers, and she's just now gaining confidence for short trips. My budgies are expert fliers, and they tease her a bit, occainsionally dive bombing her, egging her on a bit, and giving her incentive to fly, so without knowing it they've been helping. Fortunately we have a tight bond, so she flies to me if she gets nervous and not the highest point in the room. We're just beginning to train flight recall. It's going ok-ish. we'll get there!

Bosley is flighted and it is so much fun. He flies to find me or to go to what he wants. Sometimes he just flies because he's excited. I really love it, it keeps him in shape, provides mental stimulation and he doesn't scream for me if I leave the room.

We have no cats or dogs, no celing fans. We must use extreme caution with windows and doors. I must cage him or block the kitchen when we cook.
It requires a high level of supervision, but I love it and feel its worth it.