Another Lost Parrot

[PortaPerch]

We subscribe to ParrotAlert.com .

This one hits close to home - about a mile: African Grey Lost 2012-9-18.

Comment - "her name is tiki she says tiki bird and kiss kiss and curren she is only two years her wings were clipped a few months ago we did not know she could fly.....please call if you find her in the Huntington Beach area."

Other recent ones within 30 miles:
LOST AMAZON Los Angeles
LOST COCKATIEL Costa Mesa
STOLEN COCKATOO Redondo Beach
LOST AFRICAN GREY Torrance
LOST BUDGERIGAR Glassell Park
LOST COCKATIEL Long Beach

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We were unaware how often flight feathers need to be trimmed until we had an event with Greybeard, luckily before the point where he could gain altitude. Now we have it done about every six weeks.

Fright feathers grow out one at a time on our two, and I can grab Chewbaca's wing long enough to cut the one that has grown out. It is not so easy with Greybeard.

 

[henpecked]

I believe that if you have a clipped bird, you should learn to clip them yourself. They molt in new feathers all the time.That and you know how many for your bird to be safe.

 

[DebsFlock]

What henpecked said, although I'm fairly slack about doing it, I'm also well aware they can fly at times.

The other thing is that, depending on the species, you may need quite a severe clip to really ground a bird, especially if there is wind. Harness training isn't a bad idea even for clipped birds. It's hard to ground a GCC or a cockatiel -- our Cape, on the other hand, is a comparatively awful flier and we have to be careful he doesn't wind up dropping like a rock.

 

[Pookamama]

We noticed a huge difference in Pepper's flapping-about-the-house ability even with only three flights grown in. Now that I've helped do it with an experienced person, I feel confident enough to do a joint effort with my husband to clip her as they come in next time. That was only six weeks between clippings so I think we'll keep checking monthly for flight growth. We are also gradually introducing the Aviator. When she is harnessed I will feel comfortable taking her outside. For now we just keep her in her travel cage for outings.