Stirling can fly

[Lisa B]

and very fast taboot!
Today he chose to take off his boing, fly around the livingroom, round into the dining room, through the kitchen, back through the bird play area, across the living room again, and land on a table right by the front door. I was in hot pursuit, but was a bit slow. I got him on my hand, and he took off again back to the play area. I then forgot I have two steps off my staircase landing, and make one large step to the hard wood floor where I proceeded to fall hard on my knees. Thinking of someone else's graceful moves earlier in the day, I laughed. I then went to get Stirling, since Sydney was now trying to dive bomb him, and take him upstairs. I got him on my hand, got to the staircase, and he took off again, up the stairs into his room, landing on Sydney's cage.

It was a quick reminder that wings grow back in, and precaution needs to be taken if you cant secure your bird from any home dangers. while It was ok for Stirling to be zooming about the house this afternoon, it would have turned into disaster the second my front door opened. He would have been out the door in that second.
Good thing my husband wasnt home at the time, and the front door locked.
Please remember to check primaries if your keep your bird clipped.
They do grow back, and are often un noticed till its too late.

Lukily for me, Stirling avoided two uncovered toilet bowls, a hot coffee pot, a sink full of dishes, a sliding glass door and several large windows.

Might I add................. clipping is an individual choice. Only YOU know whats safest for your bird in your home.

[gbird]

Lisa....thanx again for the reminder to be careful with Pita. He still hasn't taken off on his own, not even in the house, but I will be careful with him.

Now....can we get some pics of Sterling flying......when you aren't chasing him that is....lol

[greencinacheeks]

YEs...thanks...it is always good to check them regularly. Glad your little birdie didn't get hurt

[svolk]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

Lukily for me, Stirling avoided two uncovered toilet bowls, a hot coffee pot, a sink full of dishes, a sliding glass door and several large windows.

It's my opinion that these things you listed above are dangers even moreso for clipped birds since they are generally unable to control their flight and can easily land in an open toilet bowl, for example.

I think it's a good reminder to everyone, regardless of whether we clip or not, to take into account dangers and complacencies.

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by svolk

It's my opinion that these things you listed above are dangers even moreso for clipped birds since they are generally unable to control their flight and can easily land in an open toilet bowl, for example.

I think it's a good reminder to everyone, regardless of whether we clip or not, to take into account dangers and complacencies.

the way my house is set up, he would have never made it around in a big circle to pass the bathrooms, the coffee pot(kitchen area) or the sliding glass doors.He would have glided into the livingroom on the carpet area.

If a clip is done corretly, they still can control what flight they have. They just dont go as far.

But..................it would be a good idea to compile a list for the newer owners who might not have thought about hidden dangers in the home whether they feel clipping or free flight is best for them.


Gayla, there was no way I could get a pic. he is too fast and too many curves in my house. And this is the second time a grey has outflown me.
Sydney(with clipped wings) took off my hand outside and made it and easy 40 ft away. Only being stopped by a fence. I immmediately ran after him, but but just watched him fly off. he was easily 25 ft ahead of me when he was stopped by the fence. It amazes me just how fast they can fly.


BTW, the first thing Stirling said to me this moring when I uncovered him was,
"are you ok?" "now you be good"
the "are you ok" was a first. He tells me to be good all the time

[sparkysmom]

I recently started clipping the greys again. Sparky had no coordination for the flying. He would get going at a huge speed then up and fly straight into a wall. It was so scary how hard he hit.

My lil guys are all flighted.

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by sparkysmom

I recently started clipping the greys again. Sparky had no coordination for the flying. He would get going at a huge speed then up and fly straight into a wall. It was so scary how hard he hit.

My lil guys are all flighted.

the lil guys do seem to be a bit more graceful....I've had too many keets, teils, and canaries to count, and they all had full flight. However, at that point, I was able to keep my area of the house secure from any danger.
Emma my grey is fully flighted as well since she cant fly. she is disabled, and flies like a boomerrang. There is nothing graceful about her.

[svolk]

Originally Posted by sparkysmom

I recently started clipping the greys again. Sparky had no coordination for the flying. He would get going at a huge speed then up and fly straight into a wall. It was so scary how hard he hit.

My lil guys are all flighted.

They do gain coordination over time. My tiel was an atrocious flier at first, couldn't control anything - turning, landing, nothing. During the learning stages we just kept her in smaller areas so that she couldn't get up to full speed. It took her many months to perfect her skills (with flights grown in) and today she is magnificent in flight.

[Lisa B]

Greys are not known to be graceful fliers. Even in the wild. Greys' feet appear to be too small for their weight and body configuration. When one considers the foot size of similar weight birds, it is apparent that Greys have smaller feet and more slender toes.

It was once a joke saying the first bird God created was the Grey. They were made so well, they flew like bricks with wings. Then the other species were created, with more streamline features, lighter bones, larger wings and longer tails.

While some become good fliers, they will never be as graceful as other species due to their body configuration.

[Tobysmom]

Tobys is no graceful bird flying either in or out of his cage ....
always have to keep an eye on him as he wants to be near me all the time he is out..