Is it okay to clip my GCC’s wings?

[EN_]

My green cheek flew into a window and got stunned for a bit and to prevent that from happening I wanted to clip his wings but some say it’s abuse and others say it’s okay? It’s been difficult to take him out in fear he may do the same thing

 

[fiddlejen]

My green cheek flew into a window and got stunned for a bit and to prevent that from happening I wanted to clip his wings but some say it’s abuse and others say it’s okay? It’s been difficult to take him out in fear he may do the same thing

As you noted, some Do say it's Okay and others doN't.

I personally think it's fine to clip if there's a need.

Specifically, what I mean is, there is a trade-off. Birds' nature is to fly. But these are our pets. What will give YOUR pet the best quality-of-life? IF your bird is fully flighted in the house -- does this mean, a bird will be confined to its cage for most or all of its time? IF so, clipping might be better. On the other hand, if you are able to arrange your life and train the bird well enough so the bird can Safely be flighted inside the home, then usually much better to not clip.

 

[noodles123]

depends on who you ask and you reasons for doing so- it's not a fix-all...they can still fly in certain scenarios, and if the clip is 1 sided or too severe. that can kill them. They need to be able to still glide down and you cannot assume that because they are clipped they cannot fly outdoors etc. It can upset them if they are sensitive the the change in their feathers (fixation, anxiety etc), but it can also protect them, depending on the situation...I have a fully flighted bird who is out whenever I am home..however, she is also station trained, so she really only leaves her area if really scared of really bratty lol. That having been said, I would never trust her outdoors or near open windows (not because she wants to leave, but because unfamiliar things frighten her to the point of not thinking) so she could get out and the panic, even if I was right there (depending on what scared her). GENERALLY, in the home, she stays in her area, but that doesn't mean she ALWAYS does. Honestly though, she usually walks away if she is violating rules...and a clipped bird can do that too.

 

[Inger]

Before you clip, I know several members here who walk their birds around the house, show them the windows, tap on them, get your bird to tap if possible, so they know what’s what.

Where is that hysterical video of Gail walking the Rickeybird around and knocking on things?

Anyway, while wing clipping may have a legitimate place in the world of keeping parrots, I would encourage you to do everything possible to avoid it.


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[Inger]

Found the video!!

[ame="https://youtu.be/jF1lyE72pOs"]Scene 4 - Hotel Rickeybird - YouTube[/ame]


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[KitKatPlus]

There are definitely other ways to deal with this situation besides clipping. My favorite method is putting sticky notes on the windows so the bird can see where it is, then slowly removing them.

Clipping is not inhumane, but to me flight is a beautiful, freeing thing and it is so much better to harness it. You will also have a more confident, independent bird if you leave them flighted, which is so important!

 

[T00tsyd]

I carefully took Syd around his flying areas and introduced him to hazards. I tapped them and got him to feel them with his beak. I repeated it several times and walked around the flight path that seemed suitable. I may have been lucky but he has never bumped into anything even when he has been spooked by something.

When I got him he was clipped at 14 weeks. Never again. I think it would make him really unhappy and there is something to be said for retaining the escape ability should the need arise.

 

[Jottlebot]

I'm just adding my voice to those encouraging you try everything else before clipping. Of course you are frightened it will happen again, but don't rush in to a clip, especially because if you do it for the reason you say it will have to be lifelong as your bird won't have the chance to learn.

I have shown my bird windows and glass in doors amd he's never flown into one with full force, but he is a bigger bird and flies around a room rather than straight across it so much. He has still flown too close so he can't flap and so fallen. I put nets up too, which I think works far better. The window then looks like a solid barrier and there has never been an issue.

 

[Laurasea]

One thing i think is important. Young burds need to fledged and learn to fly well. This drive to learn to fly and overcome fear of falling is biological programed at this age. Learning to fly develop brain and eyesight adults it can be extremely hard for them learn to fly.

Once a bird learns to fly well, they dont fly into things.. Even in fright , they will zoom around but nit hit anything. Windows do have to be learned, but once they have learned the Windows in the house they don't forget.

 

[Assidental]

Hi!

Poor baby! I would have to recommend that you don’t clip your bird’s wings. Look at it from their point of view, their main method of truly moving and exercising is flight. My very first two budgies came clipped from petco, and I could tell now, with more experience, that they really were not happy. I would maintain their clipped wings every so often and I could tell that there was a slight loss in trust every time I clipped them. As for the safety hazard, there are many methods of preventing your bird from colliding with window, such as stickers to let your bird know that there is something solid there. My main reason for not clipping my conures wings is really the loss in trust that I have experienced. In the end however, clipping wings is a very debatable topic with many varying opinions.