Help with my argument against clipping my conure?

chika

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Jun 27, 2011
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Chika, my green cheek conure. She is my first bird.
I need help. My dad wants us to re-clip my conure because she is in the middle of her first molt and can fly now. She doesn't fly often, and when she does it's because she's spooked. She doesn't go 10 feet from where she was, and often goes back to land where she was again. I don't think she should be clipped because birds are made to fly and it's great exercise for her. Does anyone have any ideas on how to convince my dad to let her be a bird and fly?
 

MikeyTN

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Feb 1, 2011
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For one thing, you said she flies when she's spooked! It can be very dangerous if she flies off to a wall, window, etc. When a bird is spooked, especially one that isn't a good flyer because they've been clipped before, it takes a bit to gain it back. They can fly into things and go pretty crazy. IF you want to keep the wings, you must teach her to be calm and give flying lessons until she is used to the idea of flying again! I'm not a fan of clipping, but I do use my judgement IF my birds needs to be clipped or not. So I will if I have to!
 

henpecked

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Dec 12, 2010
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This is one of those polarizing issues that i like to stay away from.I have both flighted and clipped birds.My long time pets are clipped and go every where and do every thing with me,some thing that would not be possible or practicable if they were flighted.These birds are uncaged 24/7 and are in close quarters with many other birds,once again something that would not be practicable with flighted birds in my situation.Amazons that are bonded to humans can be very dangerous to other birds.I am not advocating that you clip your birds ,this is a very personal choice and no one knows your situation better than you.I do think it is a mistake to solicit such advice on a public forum because people will tend to convince you to do what is right based on their circumstances and not take into account your situation.You need to give this some thought and decide what is right for you and your fid. I will go out on a limb and leave you with this ,flighted pet birds usually won't live near as long. Yes quality of life is a valid issue but isn't a house still a cage? And isn't a harness a ball and chain ? Any thing less than free flight is a compromise and where do you draw the line? We can only do what we think is best and that's a personal decision.
 

tlouiselle

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Mar 9, 2011
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Stewie- Eclectus

Oscar-Black capped Conure-RIP my baby
I agree with MikeyTN. If she is flying because she is spooked then she can really get hurt. They are born to fly so it is so sad to clip them, that is for sure...but that is also in the wild and not the confined rooms of a house. I have had birds that I leave flighted and others that I have clipped for their saftey. However, I am not a fan of full clipping after the birds are tame. I trim a couple feathers off of each wing. This prevents them from flying too far but also allows them to flutter short distances for fun, they can get to saftey if in harms way, AND they can flutter to soften any falls that they may have. Maybe this would be a good compromise for the two of you? If she does well with this clipping then she may adjust and be one of those birds that don't need to be clipped in the future? :)
 

Lonnie

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Oct 8, 2011
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I think this is one of those issues where there is no right or wrong for everyone, just whatever each individual prefers

:blue2:
 

mtdoramike

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Jan 18, 2011
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My personal belief is that if your bird has learned to fly then I wouldn't clip their wings. To me it breaks their spirit. But if your bird is used to having their wings clipped and isn't that good at flying yet then I would clip their wings.

I have lost two birds out of open doors due to not clipping their wings and I lost one to getting spooked off of my shoulder and flew into a wall breaking it's neck. So to me, wing clipping is accential.

Disclaimer: But this is just my opinion and may not be shared by the majority.
 

Auggie's Dad

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Dec 28, 2007
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Auggie: Dusky Conure
I don't clip - and while in many situations there may not be a right or wrong, there are many other situations where there clearly are.

I tend to default to 'not clip' unless there is good reason to do so ... but again, in several situations there may be good reason to do so.

How involved is your dad with Chika? What are his reasons for wanting to clip? It's cheaper (in one sense at least) to not clip. If one is to pay money for a procedure that is at least a little stressful for a bird, I think they should have to elaborate their reasons why it should be done before anyone should have to elaborate reasons not to.
 

henpecked

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Hands down the best article i've read on the subject, she does a great job walking a very thin line and offering great insight in to such a polarizing issue. Well done.
Thank you ,Lene
 
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oled

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Jul 10, 2011
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Ville a double yellow head Amazon
I think it is about create quality of life and safety what is best for your bird only you k
now
 
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