This is always a hot topic, and one that comes down to personal choice.
There are a lot of false beliefs that surround it though..some even mentioned in this thread.
Myths-
1.a clipped bird will not fly away- with the right wind, or fright, a clipped bird can and they do fly away. A bird outside that is clipped has a higher chance of falling victim to a predator. They are also less likely to come back, as some do.
2. clip young birds so you can train them. Nothing like a bit of dominance to show them who's boss?
Far better- create a positive relationship and bonding with proper training, recall training. Holly does not especially like to go in her cage. So I figured out her highest value treat-cashews. Drop a cashew in her bowl, she goes in for it, door closes, problem solved. Sometimes it just comes down to having a bit of patience. I have had both Holly and Cochise want to fly or move away when asked to step up to go in the cage. I use the same phrase every time I need to go out, regardless where I am actually going....it is easy and they know the phrase. I say it several minutes a few times before I actually attempt to put them in their cage. They know the routine, and even if being a bit stubborn, if I have a bit of patience, they do step up and go in. They get lots of praise or a treat.
Never, ever chase your bird. Even if there is a need to towel the bird. Better to take the bird to an enclosed area, like the bathroom{make sure to close the toilet} place the bird on the floor, and towel them from behind.
One of the most important parts of teaching a flighted bird, is to teach him to fly up and fly down to you. This can save your bird if heaven forbid he does get out. If they do not know how, a bird will not fly down to you from a tree, or whatever they are on.
You are always going to go through different phases, and depending on the type of bird, some when hormonal must have limited out of cage time...ie: male Umbrella Cockatoos or Amazons for example. If a bird is dive bombing and/or injuring people, a light clip might just take the wind out of his sails. Sometimes they just need time to get through the hormonal period, and after it passes they can come back to their old self. Patience is always key with all aspects of keeping birds.
I keep a screen door on my bird room, so we can talk and see, and interact, but we don't have any wild flights out to the kitchen sink, or trips out the door. Caution is always taken when they are out of the bird room. We don't have kids. I do see this as a problem in homes where a bird is kept in the living area for example. Bird is out on his cage, kids are running around and going in and out of the door, or door gets left open. Too bad not everyone can have a safety door installed on their doors. This would save a LOT of birds who fly away.
3. flighted birds will just crash into everything. Take your bird up to windows, mirrors, etc, Let him touch it and learn it is a solid object. Do this more than once.There are stickers you can get so they can see them also. Close blinds, curtains, etc, will help.
Everyone must be on board and have the awareness that this is a home with flighted birds.
I am sorry for the loss of your bird Wenz.
