Is it safe to take my conure for walks?

[Sarvesh]

My conures wings are currently clipped, they were clipped when i got him and he likes to go for walks in the evening on my shoulder for fresh air. I enjoy it too! Worried though when his flight feathers come back will it be a risk for him to fly off into the sunset? Or will he stay on my shoulder?

Do u guys clip ur birds wings? I don't like clipping wings at all, but I really like taking him for walks lol

 

[Mimsy01]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/The-AVIATOR-Bird-Harness-Leash/dp/B000TEXE0U]Amazon.com : The AVIATOR Bird Harness and Leash: X-Small Black : The Aviator Harness : Pet Supplies[/ame]

 

[Sarvesh]

Amazon.com : The AVIATOR Bird Harness and Leash: X-Small Black : The Aviator Harness : Pet Supplies

Cool do you guys use that? Is it uncomfortable for the bird? Reminds me of those little ADHD kids at the mall lol.

 

[Mimsy01]

lol they are like little adhd children with a little bi-polar on the side.

I want to order one to use on Foo. There are lot of folks on here that do use them.

 

[Flboy]

FYI, under the right conditions, your baby can fly! Clipped or not, you can loose her to a predator!

 

[Kyoto]

Look into harness training with the aviator! Now is a good time since your baby is still clipped.

The hardest part for me is getting Kyo's wings in it (not there yet) she will put her head right in the head loop but wants to take off right away (since she is flighted).

Go slow and at her pace and you will be able to take her for walks no problem.

 

[Sarvesh]

Look into harness training with the aviator! Now is a good time since your baby is still clipped.

The hardest part for me is getting Kyo's wings in it (not there yet) she will put her head right in the head loop but wants to take off right away (since she is flighted).

Go slow and at her pace and you will be able to take her for walks no problem.

cool, so when you have kyo on the harness, will she fly behind you like a kite?

 

[riddick07]

Hahahaha I'm imagining Kelly doing this one day with me running away and the line trailing behind Kelly instead of in my hand while he screams mom

But yes your baby can fly away clipped or flighted without a harness when outside. The smaller birds especially have an easier time getting enough wind for flight clipped. So a harness is a good idea no matter which way you go when taking them outside.

 

[Mariar]

I love harnessing sissy. She usually flutters to the ground when she's had enough. Yesterday I took her to the neighbors, there were children . She did great just kept laughing. I would never take her outside..even for a second without it.

 

[Sarvesh]

I love harnessing sissy. She usually flutters to the ground when she's had enough. Yesterday I took her to the neighbors, there were children . She did great just kept laughing. I would never take her outside..even for a second without it.

dang im feeling scared now :'( !!!!!!!!!! ill never do it again!!!!!

 

[Mariar]

I'm sorry for scaring you. A long time ago I was sitting on my front porch drinking coffee like I have for the past five or so years with my Senegal. Not sure what happened, but off she went, down the street and out of sight. I had the entire small neighbor hood looking for her. I want to believe someone got her and took care of her. I WILL ALAWAYS believe this. My Quaker had just passed away , now this.took me 15 years to get another bird, I didn't think I was a good parront, now I've learned from my mistakes

 

[ruffledfeathers]

As far as I'm concerned the harness is a total game changer! We have two of them and an extended flight line. If your bird loves being outside, he may train easily. Gilbert did. He associated it with doing his thing--going out.
I know you can take a clipped bird out without a harness but there is much more risk involved. Besides, it's really fun to let them fly outside and feel their own greatness.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I will say this -even a clipped winged bird can fly like the wind outdoors. I often say, they can fly outdoors with clipped wings the same way they fly indoors unclipped. It's the outside wind that gives them the speed to do so.

Nothing against those who harness their birds - whatever works and is comfortable for you and your bird. I just personally don't like the idea of harnessing Skittles. Not because I think it's cruel or anything - it's just that given his protective nature I fear that he may attack someone who gets too close to me and I don't need a lawsuit or animal control on my back.

Skittles DOES love to go for walks. I have a small travel cage I take him out in. I put a lock on the door so he can't get out. I will be looking into getting him that 'pak-o-bird' carrier next spring though. If you don't like harnessing, that may be an option. Or just a small travel cage (that is locked).

Also, aside from 'safety or security' concerns, I am deeply opposed to wing-clipping. Other than those circumstances, I just think it's harmful. Just my opinion though.

 

[Kyoto]

Look into harness training with the aviator! Now is a good time since your baby is still clipped.

The hardest part for me is getting Kyo's wings in it (not there yet) she will put her head right in the head loop but wants to take off right away (since she is flighted).

Go slow and at her pace and you will be able to take her for walks no problem.

cool, so when you have kyo on the harness, will she fly behind you like a kite?

Hahaha! This made me giggle. It's not quite like that :3 it's more to keep her safe if she takes off. She'l more than likely want to stay with you mostly.

 

[Birdman666]

I used to take mine for walks all the time. Depends on how well the bird behaves and whether or not he stays put.

If he's clipped, chances are you'd be able to find him again if he flew off, but check that clip job, check the wind, keep an eye out for potential predators.

 

[kq_fan]

If your sweet bird doesn't like a harness, like mine, you could get a small cage to walk him in. Thaws what I do with Lilo. She is fine with that

 

[kalypso123]

I have a harness for Kalypso. Im working on getting her used to it. The one thing is I'm terrified of a hawk trying to get her. I dont want to be attacked and I dont want to lose her. My fear may be a bit obnoxious but every time I see a hawk, I stare at him like he's evil lol. I mean I doudt a hawk would fly to get Kalypso (a cockatiel) off my shoulder, as that would be one brave hawk and my bird is small so I dont really know. I've seen that video of scooter the cockatoo being attacked by a hawk and a video of a hawk swooping down at a macaw. This terrifies the crap out of me. Maybe Im over reacting. Sorry, Im not trying to scare you or anything, just my opinion.

 

[Notdumasilook]

I dont have the heart to clip Boogers wings.. even his secondaries to slow him down. He gets so much joy doing his f16 thing in the house. These lil birds can turn on a dime, unlike other breeds that can bang off the walls and furniture... actually hurting themselves. He follows me where ever I go in the house. Conures are high energy birds and IMHO need to fly around to burn that energy off or they would be unhappy. Ive never tried a harness myself and not too keen on it. Too many predators in my neighborhood (cats and hawks). It doesnt take but a second to lose a bird.

 

[DannyA93]

Notdumasilook what exactly is a "pocket parrot" if you don't mind me asking? lol

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I prefer taking Skittles for walks in a travel cage. I like the idea of there being a 'secure' environment surrounding him where he can't get stepped on, scooped up or escape from. I put a lock on his travel cage.

I could never clip Skittles wings. He flies too much - he flies to me and follows me everywhere. Not only that, but when I am on the phone he does what I call 'fly-bys'. He will fly over near me and do a circle around me and then fly away. He does this several times. He doesn't like it when I'm on the phone talking to someone other than him. It's like he wants me to remember he's still here. Either that or he's trying to check the caller ID to find out who it is. LOL.