Anyone here have an older Amazon?

[tassanil]

My Double-Headed Amazon (Willy) is 60+ years old, and I’ve had him for just over a year. He doesn’t fly and only rarely stretches or opens his wings. He did try to fly once, but he fell straight to the ground. I’m wondering if there’s still a chance he could learn (or re-learn) to fly at his age. Recently he’s been leaning forward as if he wants to take off, which made me curious.
I know Amazons can live well into their 80s, so I’m also wondering: what are the usual signs of slowing down or aging—aside from sleeping more?
Would love to hear others’ experiences with senior Amazons.

 

[texsize]

As I understand it, it’s a case of use it or lose it.
The muscles weaken and shrink and are no longer capable of the full motion of flight.

I have heard rehabilitation is possible with a lot of work and slow progress.
Check with your avian vet to make sure his heart and everything else is up for the excersize necessary.

 

[tassanil]

ya I agree "use it or lose it" definitely applies here. His wing muscles have likely atrophied over the years, which would explain his current inability to fly. I can not even physically open his wings a tiny bit without him protesting and I don't want to. On one visit with the vet, he did though and said he definitely has arthritis.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

If he tries to fly and hits the ground hard instead he could easily bruise or even fracture his keel, that ridge of bone down the center of his breast, or fracture his femur, the ,largest leg bone which is located deep inside the pelvis. Since Willy is an elderly parrot, I would be extra careful of him falling or taking a hard landing because I assume parrots like humans can develop osteoporosis with age.

 

[tassanil]

Those are really good points and as much as I’d love to see him fly, I know I have to be extra careful. I just hope he doesn’t “decide” to try it when I’m not watching..that seems most likely though, since he'd want to follow me into another room.

 

[wrench13]

Nothing wrong with you SLOWLY developing his wing muscles, not with an aim for him to fly , but to be able to glide or do a soft landing on the floor, should he fall off. My Salty falls off or slips off his play chain all the time and I keep his wings full enough so he does not crash to the ground.

Do training over a bed so he has a soft place to crash on.

I;ve seen folks hold the feet and spin in a circle, slowly, to get the bird to open wings and start exercising.

Member Sailboats knows more about senior Amazons then all of us combined!

 

[tassanil]

great idea to practice over a bed...I can try this. Willy is pretty particular though LOL I don't think he likes being upside-down.

 

[rheashard2]

Nameliss isn't a flyer. Vet recommended me to hold her on hand. Raise and lower arm stimulating her to flap her wings. I'm to give encouragement, a rare treat and a key word so she'll flap her wings. The safety is that I'm holding on to her. I don't have to worry about keel bone first crashes. Your older bird may be able to develop muscle so "falls" can be minimized.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

My macaw is almost as old as Willy. He is in his 50s and I have cared for him for 51 years. Mine only flies if desperate (slips off 2nd story banister, slips off chair). At his age, he doesn’t take chances! He runs around the house and climbs stairs with great speed. The only difference I have noticed is that he sleeps more than he used to (as do I). I have come to the conclusion that birds aren’t too thrilled about flying. It takes a lot of energy and is potentially very dangerous. Staying close to the ground is a safer option!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

My budgies seem to love flying but it's a lot easier for a 40 gram bird than a 400 gram bird, I guess.

 

[tassanil]

My macaw is almost as old as Willy. He is in his 50s and I have cared for him for 51 years. Mine only flies if desperate (slips off 2nd story banister, slips off chair). At his age, he doesn’t take chances! He runs around the house and climbs stairs with great speed. The only difference I have noticed is that he sleeps more than he used to (as do I). I have come to the conclusion that birds aren’t too thrilled about flying. It takes a lot of energy and is potentially very dangerous. Staying close to the ground is a safer option!

Macaw whisperer cute