Behavioral

[missourimelody]

My 29 year old Goffin has always chosen not to fly. Shes out of cage most all day every day. Gets much exercise and is very happy, healthy and loved.

 

[missourimelody]

My girl doesnt want to fly but its Ok with me. She spreads her wings when she bathes and plays. I know shes healthy(and spoiled haha). Weve been deeply bonded for 29 years. Whats most important is that shes happy

 

[LaManuka]

Welcome to the forums, @missourimelody, we're happy to have you aboard! Please do tell us your baby's name too, won't you? I once had a green cheek conure whom I termed a "reluctant flyer". His wings were clipped when he was a baby, possibly by his breeder, and I wonder if it was done before he learned to fly properly, hence his reluctance. Perhaps that may be the case with your 'too?

 

[missourimelody]

Hi. Ive been sick and must rest but will try again to post more again here tomorrow. I texted quite a bit and I sent my comment but for some reason its not showing up here. It told more about my baby, what shes like and about our bond. I commented the sane way as the first time so Im not sure what happened. I'll have to try again tomorrow. I will say that I got my girl when she was a month hatched. From the beginning she was raised by humans without being around other birds. She did try twice to fly in my home when she was young. She hurt herself both times. Each time she hit kitchen cabinets and got knocked out. I tried clipping wings for a couple years and she stayed on cage. But then she started tearing at her wings where they were clipped then tore at skin. I let her wings grow and after that she never tried to fly again. But she was a very happy bird and seemed content being close to her cage, her home. She does enjoy walking but wants nothing to do with flying. I did not push her to fly because she was and still is a very happy little bird. I figure if its not broke dont fix it. As long as shes happy Im happy. Shes 29 and hasnt flown for 22 years. Shes happy and thats all that matters to me. Shes outgoing, loves to dance and play but mostly wants attention from me, love and cuddling. We are deeply, strongly bonded. We have games we play that she loves. Shes very spoiled, lol. Her name is Sunshine but I call her Sunny. I'll type more tomorrow if I feel better. Goffins are intelligent. She knows what Im going to do before I do it lol. I love her so much. She is my world and I am hers

Welcome to the forums, @missourimelody, we're happy to have you aboard! Please do tell us your baby's name too, won't you? I once had a green cheek conure whom I termed a "reluctant flyer". His wings were clipped when he was a baby, possibly by his breeder, and I wonder if it was done before he learned to fly properly, hence his reluctance. Perhaps that may be the case with your 'too?

missourimelody
TY! I read link online today saying Toos dont cuddle! My baby begs to cuddle and love. Ive spoiled her 2 much. A deep, strong bond.The love we have is beyond compare. She gets fussy now an then. But funny an quirky too. Its all just part of who/what she is. Unconditional love. Her name is Sunny. Loves dancing, playing, attention. Loves most to cuddle

 

[LaManuka]

Sunshine/Sunny is a great name, it suits her disposition very well!

 

[cnyguy]

I'm not an expert on 'toos, but I have lots of parrot experience. Two of the parrots I've lived with weren't flyers, my yellow crowned Amazon and my grey. Both of them got lots of exercise climbing and playing and doing acrobatics. They also would sometimes hang onto the top or sides of their cages while inside and do vigorous wing flaps, so their wings got exercise too. As long as a parrot is happy and healthy and gets exercise in other ways, flight probably isn't essential.

 

[wrench13]

Same here. Salty can fly, even when his wings are clipped, he is that strong of a flyer. He just chooses not to. If he is startled, he chooses to fly to the ground. The only time he has shown an inclination to fly away was one time outside when a car startled him, badly. thankfully he was in harness, and he just got Yoinked back to earth. outside = harness for any parrot. IMHO.

 

[missourimelody]

Hi. Ive been sick and must rest but will try again to post more again here tomorrow. I texted quite a bit and I sent my comment but for some reason its not showing up here. It told more about my baby, what shes like and about our bond. I commented the sane way as the first time so Im not sure what happened. I'll have to try again tomorrow. I will say that I got my girl when she was a month hatched. From the beginning she was raised by humans without being around other birds. She did try twice to fly in my home when she was young. She hurt herself both times. Each time she hit kitchen cabinets and got knocked out. I tried clipping wings for a couple years and she stayed on cage. But then she started tearing at her wings where they were clipped then tore at skin. I let her wings grow and after that she never tried to fly again. But she was a very happy bird and seemed content being close to her cage, her home. She does enjoy walking but wants nothing to do with flying. I did not push her to fly because she was and still is a very happy little bird. I figure if its not broke dont fix it. As long as shes happy Im happy. Shes 29 and hasnt flown for 22 years. Shes happy and thats all that matters to me. Shes outgoing, loves to dance and play but mostly wants attention from me, love and cuddling. We are deeply, strongly bonded. We have games we play that she loves. Shes very spoiled, lol. Her name is Sunshine but I call her Sunny. I'll type more tomorrow if I feel better. Goffins are intelligent. She knows what Im going to do before I do it lol. I love her so much. She is my world and I am hers View attachment 81532

missourimelody
TY! I read link online today saying Toos dont cuddle! My baby begs to cuddle and love. Ive spoiled her 2 much. A deep, strong bond.The love we have is beyond compare. She gets fussy now an then. But funny an quirky too. Its all just part of who/what she is. Unconditional love. Her name is Sunny. Loves dancing, playing, attention. Loves most to cuddleView attachment 81532

Shes smiling because she loves attention and loves my phone haha. Thanks I called her Sunny because she brightened my world. I have no family left or children just my Sunny and a little dog Ive had for a couple years that the shelter offered me because she was vicious, untouchable, untrained and unadoptable because they knew I had great patience. Sophie was a challenge but now shes a perfect little dog and so loving. Sunny is very complex. Picky, spoiled. For years Ive been unable to work or drive. Because of an operation I had Im labeled disabled. But I can get around. So Im at home with them all the time. Ive always talked to Sunny like shes human. She honestly thinks Im her mom, her person and gets jealous even when Im on the phone. One thing that bothers me, and it might be just because I know Sunny, what shes thinking, what shes going to do etc.

Same here. Salty can fly, even when his wings are clipped, he is that strong of a flyer. He just chooses not to. If he is startled, he chooses to fly to the ground. The only time he has shown an inclination to fly away was one time outside when a car startled him, badly. thankfully he was in harness, and he just got Yoinked back to earth. outside = harness for any parrot. IMHO.

I've never taken Sunny outside without his cage, I never wanted to take the chance of her flying off. In but the house she has a big clear view of my big backyard and trees.If she sees bird fly by, Shes not interested at all if she sees another bird but instead loves watching branches and leaves move in the wind. I read once that harnesses were not good/not always safe to use so Ive never used one on her. Most people believe a bird can never know freedom or be healthy or happy unless they fly. But I know differently after 29 years with Sunny. Shes really really happy and used to her life as it has been. Once every 1 1/2- 2 years she gets in a fussy mood and will drop down onto the floor. I'll watch her closely because Goffins are chewers and she'll see things she thinks are interesting and wants to chew. So many things, light chords, furniture, plants etc are toxic for her. Or she will run behind my refridgerator or furniture exploring where its difficult to get to her. For example, if she decides to go under my couch shes fascinated by the underside of it and will chew holes into it.I dont let her stay on floor too long. When I want to put her back in cage I get low to the ground, offer her my fhand/finger and she will happily come over to me so I can put her back on her cage. But like I said, she VERY RARE that she wants to be on floor unless she throws a momentary tantrum and gets frustrated at me or my little dog if my dogs presence or actions around her cage bugged her. All birds are not the same or think the same.way. Instead of trying to make them how/what we want them to be its great if we can let them be themselves but make sure at all times that they are safe. Ive learned so very much from watching her and from interaction. Birds are so much smarter more complex than most people really realize. And have real feelings and emotions like people do. Its our responsibility to learn our birds needs and what makes them hsppy. If we love them and are observsnt enough they will show us. It makes me smile hearing how much you love and watch out for your baby. Hes precious to you . They truly become one of the family. Thanks!