Flying off cage

Hi everyone. I need some help with my macaw. We recently purchased him a couple of days ago. I need to find out how I stop him from flying off the top of his cage onto the floor. I know when he is ready to fly off and sometimes when I tell him no he will stop but most of the time he flys right off. His wings are clipped so when he flys off he goes right down to the floor. How can I stop him from doing this. Any one with expertise on this?

In my opinion, if he is jumping to the floor, that means he is comfy with his new surroundings and wants to explore them. Show him round the house on your shoulder. Walk slowly and let him get the lie of the land. He may want to know where you go when you leave the room. Is he jumping off to the floor to come to you or to look about his new home? Is there a problem with him walking around your house? cats dogs etc? is the problem you parents telling you that he shouldnt be out and about? Why are you sitting him on top of his cage ? why is he not IN his cage if you want him to stay in one place? I recently learned thats its not cruel for a bird to have some cage time. But I KNOW they love to be out with us. Skippah never leaves his perch, NEVER, because its his safe haven. You must try to make his cage his safe haven. Nothing BAD should ever happen near his cage. Never clip or towel or do anything traumatic while he is in his cage. then, when ever he he is worried, he will head for his cage, and thats what you want. Dont make the cage his prison or he will want to get away all the time. When the Professor jumps off his cage to cause mayhem I herd him back to his cage like I was herding sheep, arms out, guiding him. Dont pick him up and put him on his cage. Herd him back to his cage, chatting as you go about "get back on your cage young man"! What do you think you up to? When he has walked( calmly, not paniced while being chased by you) back to his cage, if he wont or cant climb back up, lift him to the top and pat and praise him. Then don't disappear. Let him see your close by and not doing anything too amazing. I will edit this for spelling then add to it. You asked kiddo, so now sit down and do some reading.

Please remember I am not a bird expert and I only know about what has worked (and hasnt worked) for me in the past. If I think I dont know the answer, I wont speak.

Good luck youngen. Im sure if you put some time into it, your bird will come to love life with you for all time.

Hi Red,

I feel that he is comfortable with his surroundings already. The cage that I have has a play gym on top of it. When he flys off the cage he doesn't come to me but instead heads straight for the den door. Then starts walking around so you are probably right with wanting to see whats around. It's all glass so I think its the light that he going for. We have dogs but he doesn't really mind them to much when they come over and sniff him. He's really good. As far as my parents I don't live with them because I am 43 with a husband and three kids. LOL. That was funny when I read that part. The bird does stay in his cage and play with the toys and just relaxes. I will definitley try and see if I can bring him back to his cage the way you are telling me to do so.

As far as me being a kid, I wish, we'll maybe at heart but not in age. lol.
Thanks for the information given and I will try and see how it works.

Thanks again
Carolyn

Does he have toys on the play top??
He is young he needs to learn to stay.
When he does this don't say anything just put him back and give him a treat.
if he stays treat him.. reinforce the good behavior and ignore the bad..

Lori said:

Does he have toys on the play top??
He is young he needs to learn to stay.
When he does this don't say anything just put him back and give him a treat.
if he stays treat him.. reinforce the good behaviour and ignore the bad..

Click to expand...

A bird that learns to stay in one place is an asset. I have one that stays and one that roams,... I know what I would prefer. I may try a bit of that myself if its not too late.


Dunno why I see "Junior member" and assume I am talking to children. Sorry bout that. Missed your age group by that much.