- Dec 18, 2013
- 22,301
- 4,217
- Parrots
- Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
Hello, all!
As a few of you already know, my 5 month old eclectus, Bixby, finally finished weaning and came home to us near the end of November. Over the past month, I've been working with him on his flight skills. I work with him in a bedroom for this training, since his first few attempts fell FAR short of graceful (he routinely used the walls as a flight brake!) and the ceilings throughout the rest of my home are significantly higher. (Around 16 or so feet at the highest point.)
Over the past few weeks, however, his skills have greatly improved! Using 2 training perches, I've trained him to fly the length of the room across one level, then from a low point to a higher point, and now even from a high point to a lower one! (Not exactly outdoor free flight or anything, I know, but very exciting for me nonetheless! Baby steps.) Over the last week, he has even gotten pretty good at recall training!
Which brings me to a bit of a dilemma. Flight training-wise, there's not much more that I can teach him within the confines of the bedroom. Turning corners, flying up and down steps, etc... all needs to be taught out in the rest of my home. Which scares me. A lot.
So, do any of you have any ideas on how to make it safer for Bixby in an area where he can go so much higher and build up so much more speed? I'm aware of some of the basics like covering windows and mirrors, closing bathroom doors, not cooking while he's out, and, of course, not opening the doors to outside. What really scares me is the possibility of him slamming into a wall at speed or something. Or maybe a fall from a greater height than he's used to. Am I worrying over nothing? Or should I practice with him in the room for a few more weeks? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
As a few of you already know, my 5 month old eclectus, Bixby, finally finished weaning and came home to us near the end of November. Over the past month, I've been working with him on his flight skills. I work with him in a bedroom for this training, since his first few attempts fell FAR short of graceful (he routinely used the walls as a flight brake!) and the ceilings throughout the rest of my home are significantly higher. (Around 16 or so feet at the highest point.)
Over the past few weeks, however, his skills have greatly improved! Using 2 training perches, I've trained him to fly the length of the room across one level, then from a low point to a higher point, and now even from a high point to a lower one! (Not exactly outdoor free flight or anything, I know, but very exciting for me nonetheless! Baby steps.) Over the last week, he has even gotten pretty good at recall training!
Which brings me to a bit of a dilemma. Flight training-wise, there's not much more that I can teach him within the confines of the bedroom. Turning corners, flying up and down steps, etc... all needs to be taught out in the rest of my home. Which scares me. A lot.
So, do any of you have any ideas on how to make it safer for Bixby in an area where he can go so much higher and build up so much more speed? I'm aware of some of the basics like covering windows and mirrors, closing bathroom doors, not cooking while he's out, and, of course, not opening the doors to outside. What really scares me is the possibility of him slamming into a wall at speed or something. Or maybe a fall from a greater height than he's used to. Am I worrying over nothing? Or should I practice with him in the room for a few more weeks? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
it would be a good time to start practicing flight recall with him so he always comes back to you.
