I have an approximately 11 week old YNA. My little guy has discovered that he his wings, and wants to fly. The problem is he just takes off flying into things. I am afraid he is going to hurt himself. Do we get his wings clipped? Any advice would greatly be appreciated.
Flying help!
- Thread starter Birdmom25
- Start date
DonnaBudgie
Well-known member
Imagine how much fun it is for him to see that he can fly!
I wouldn't clip his wings because he's at the age when they learn to fly and if they can't they may never learn. A very conservative clip (trimming only the tips of the flight feathers a couple inches or only trimming a few of the flight feathers on each wing) is an option but a more extensive clip will make it impossible for him to learn and he will hit the ground hard and could injure his breastbone (keel).
Learning to fly involves some mishaps. They don't know how to stop, turn quickly, land gracefully etc yet. They have to learn by making mistakes.
Unless he gets up a lot of speed while learning he isn't likely to injure himself badly. It's best if you let him learn in a small room that has windows draped and mirrors covered so he doesn't get going too fast and doesn't hit the glass.
Once you have him flying better, I'd bring him over to any windows and teach him that they're glass by knocking on them. Birds do learn the glass areas in a room pretty quickly if you do this.
If you're going to let him outside without a harness and without his wings clipped you run a very high risk of him flying off in a gust of wind and getting lost. Please don't take chances with him! He will DIE out there if he gets lost!
I wouldn't clip his wings because he's at the age when they learn to fly and if they can't they may never learn. A very conservative clip (trimming only the tips of the flight feathers a couple inches or only trimming a few of the flight feathers on each wing) is an option but a more extensive clip will make it impossible for him to learn and he will hit the ground hard and could injure his breastbone (keel).
Learning to fly involves some mishaps. They don't know how to stop, turn quickly, land gracefully etc yet. They have to learn by making mistakes.
Unless he gets up a lot of speed while learning he isn't likely to injure himself badly. It's best if you let him learn in a small room that has windows draped and mirrors covered so he doesn't get going too fast and doesn't hit the glass.
Once you have him flying better, I'd bring him over to any windows and teach him that they're glass by knocking on them. Birds do learn the glass areas in a room pretty quickly if you do this.
If you're going to let him outside without a harness and without his wings clipped you run a very high risk of him flying off in a gust of wind and getting lost. Please don't take chances with him! He will DIE out there if he gets lost!
Start taking him on a tour of the house a few times a day, a very detailed tour. If you can get him to touch walls, windows mirrors etc with his beak, it can immensely help him understand what is solid and what can be flown through.
rheashard2
Well-known member
- Nov 15, 2024
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- Female Congo Grey
As above. Do you remember learning how to ride a two wheel bike or roller skate? The only way I could stop was to run into something; trees, fences etc. He's got a lot to learn especially the stopping part! Flying is a big step for your youngster. It's a big confidence build. He's young enough that you should consider harness training.
- Thread starter
- #7
Great idea! Thank you!
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