Spreading Wings?

[SafeChoice]

I rescued Merlin, a Green Wing 3 1/2 months ago.
He has settled in, talking and eating well.
He has a good 5 foot width of clearance on his perch, but has never spread his wings?
Should I be concerned?
He will lift his wings for a tummy scratch, but never stretches his wings out.

 

[Owlet]

I suggest not petting your bird anywhere but neck up. Especially under the wings. Hormones hormones hormones.

Is your bird clipped?

 

[SafeChoice]

I hear you. I may scratch his tummy 1 or 2 times per month.
What about not spreading his wings?

 

[SafeChoice]

No, he is not clipped.

 

[chris-md]

I’ll second owlet, avoid touching anywhere below the neck. You’ll regret it later if you don’t.

I wouldn’t worry. I’m not very clear on what “spreading wings” means to you, but if it’s the full on spread eagle, they don’t do that unless there’s a reason to. It’s just not a normal behavior. I only every see it in my boy when he’s having a shower. Othwerwise he keeps them tight unless he’s stretching one wing at a time.

 

[SafeChoice]

Interesting. My Catalina loves to stretch his wings, especially when music is playing. My friends B&G also does a full stretch as to be showing off. Should I be worried about them and not my Green Wing? I just thought this was normal behavior?
Green wing does allow me to open his wings all out, so I know they can open
Thanks again for responding

 

[ChristaNL]

Usually they will stretch one wing at the time.
(After napping or a nice preening session)

But 5 feet is not really much free space (their wingspan is roughly that).
So that may be the reason?

Birds are reluctant to flap when they they run the risk of hitting something and damage feathers or even wings (damage the joints/ sprain muscles etc).

That is why indoor-macaws usually just walk anywhere (depending if you live in a small home or an oversized palace of course )

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Ducky will lean forward and spread both her wings sometimes when she’s in her cage. I’m not sure if it’s stretching or something else.