[Tombstone]

I think flight is the most important thing in a birds' life - the ability to fly means that the bird can escape danger, get proper exercise, and do the one thing that sets him apart from others in the animal kingdom. You would no more want to purposely take away a bird's ability to fly as you would want to take away a human child's ability to walk just because it's safer if 2 years olds can't walk around on their own! See how absurb that sounds? In my opinion, it is no less absurd to clip a bird's wings before it has learned to fly.

The consequences of not being allowed to learn to fly are of a developmental nature as well as psychological - birds that cannot fly become more afraid with more of a tendency to bite than ones that know they can fly away from danger when they want to. Also, birds that feather pluck and scream are often times not flyers. It is very important that your bird learn to fly.

However, just remember that your bird is young, and even though it is not ideal that he not have the chance to master flying while he is being weaned, you can allow him to learn once you get him home. Be aware that often times pet stores do not properly wean a bird - your macaw may come to you and beg for food - if so, simply restart the handfeeding until the bird weans properly in his own time. The reason I am suggesting this is that many times birds that aren't allowed to fledge properly tend to have to be forced weaned - combine that with pet stores' tendencies to force wean early so they can make the sale sooner and get their money --- and that could mean you get a baby bird that is not yet ready to be weaned.

I wouldn't totally freak out about the wing clipping, just make it clear to them that you intend to allow the bird to learn to fly and master it before clipping them again, and that major decisions regarding your bird should be cleared with you before actions are taken in the future. Also, you might ask them what their weaning philosophy is. Google abundance weaning - and if you agree with what you read about it - tell them that is the method of weaning you want used. Hopefully, they'll approach it with the idea that the "customer is always right!!!" Abundance weaning will result in a better adjusted bird who is not a picky eater - more secure - less prone to behavorial problems, etc.

As soon as you get your bird home, start finding opportunities to allow your bird to test out his wings. Large Macaws sometimes tend to not even try to fly again if their wings are clipped when they are very young. If they get too old without developing those muscles, it will be that much harder to get them to fly. DO not wait to get your baby back in the air. Just remember to find a safe, secure location for him to fly so that he is less likely to get injured and not able to escape.

Good luck!

Angela