Badly clipped lovebird wings

Salmonbong

New member
Feb 21, 2021
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Hello hello. So we have had a pair of lovebirds for about 7 months now and they've been pretty uncooperative and scared of us. A few days ago my sister decided it would be an amazing idea to clip their wings to "force them" to love us. I was personally against it but my sister and mom did it anyway. Problem is that they somehow cut waaaay too high into the bird's wings and i think they injured him since he's been trying to pluck the feathers out of his wing. I was wondering if it was as bad as i thought it was or if it'd heal quickly and what I should do in order to help him.
https://imgur.com/a/ElvhVW7 here's a link to the photos.
Thanks.
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
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I have seen some very bad wing clips, but this one is likely the worst!

Well, the goal will be loss on the bird and he can clearly link the loss of flight to the Humans! In addition, the cut has likely placed this bird in the classification of flying like a dropped rock!

I truly fear asking this question, but, did they cut only the one wing or both?

If they cut only one wing, the bird needs to be seen by an Avian Medical Professional to first look at the mess they made and second to trim the second wing.

FYI: Some locations in North America view the clipping of a single wing as Abusive Behavior.
 
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Tman

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Jan 3, 2021
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Rescued budgie Anna RIP
My fear also is that it probably is really bothering the parrot and it might lead to full blown plucking.
I agree get him to a vet.
 

Laurasea

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Aug 2, 2018
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I agree with everyone above. Likely pain is causing him to pluck. Pain meds might help stop this.

I was just reading an article on plucking. Of course vet attention. Then moving tge tge cafe to a new location, ( if you can buy a new larger cage I recommend that) and re arrange the cage, add lots of enrichment. As a way to distract them and take attention off feathers.
 
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Salmonbong

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Feb 21, 2021
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Ah dammit. I'm sorry you guys had to see that. Yeah they thankfully ( not really) clipped both wings and not just 1. The other one seems fine but it's that one in particular that was really horrible clipped. Thank you for your advices, I'll try to convince my mom to take him to the vet because it really hurts to see him like that. Thanks again and i hope you all have a good day
 

abababa

New member
May 15, 2020
21
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I feel the need to add;

There's dispute over whether wing-clipping is ok in the first place. It absolutely does not make a bird more keen to be handled - it makes it defenseless against it.

Irrespective of that argument, this is not a wing clip, it is animal abuse. It's equivalent to removing a dog or cat's tail with scissors. The bird might now cower in fear/pain and be unable to get away, but if they can't handle it's behaviour unclipped, and then do this, they should not be near a bird.

This bird may take years to become comfortable with a human. Pin feathers have nerves; imagine if someone pinned you down and pulled off your toenail. Would you trust them again? This bird was right to be terrified of humans. Look what happened to it.

This is before we even get to the risks now as a bird that's severely flight impaired. If you accidentally step/lean/rest on him, he will get crushed. His own defense mechanism is completely gone.

You need to sit your mom/sister down and explain this to them. Hard. A good vet will do the same. I would take them along when you go, so when the vet reads you the rights on this, they're there to listen (and pay the bill).
 
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