Question about wing clipping

[ear]

Hello all!

I have been lurking on this board for a couple of months now. You have all been very informative and helpful with learning about my amazon. We took the plunge in the end of May, after several weeks birdsitting a relatives amazon.

Tiko is just over a year old, very good on hands, and with people. She was socialized at her bird store, and taken to shows and parties. She is a wonderful little bird. By the way, she chose us, as we were walking through the store, she just jumped out and tried to get on us. Chattered the whole time we walked with her through the store.

I havent been able to get much help from the bird store with my questions about wing clipping. When I asked about how long it would take between clips, they only told me "you will know" LOL. Quite helpful these folks are. Anyway, I am just trying to figure out approximatly how long that would be. A month? 6 Months? A Year?

If anyone has any thoughts, it would be quite helpful. I am also trying to find a good avian vet in the Monmouth County area so, if anyone can help me out with that, that would be great too.

Thanks so much for your help!!

~ear

[The Outlaw]

I highly recommend keeping all Amazon parrots clipped. When they mature, they can be unpredictable and tend to go for faces and ears in particular.

Since your bird isn't a baby and has long ago fledged, you should always keep it clipped. That means anytime any of the last 4 or 5 flight feathers have regrown, they need to be trimmed. Frankly, my birds feathers grow at different speeds, so I do wing inspections anytime I shower them. I just trim away the new growth once its fully grown out. With so many birds here, I really can't remember how long, but it seems to be every month of so.

[Willow]

Hi ear, none of my Amazons are clipped. Since Amazons tend to get overweight and can develop health issues from it, I choose not to clip them and to provide a safe place for them to get the exercise they need. The only aggression problems I have had with my five, are when one of the Cuban boys preceives me to be a threat to his buddy, and they usually use their feet to walk/climb over to warn me off rather than flying anyway, even though they are amazing flyers. Though, on occasion they have flown over. Anyway, I can't answer your question and have probably rattled on enough. ;~)

[CALVINS MOM]

An EXCELLENT vet in Monmouth County is Dr. Cindi Brown of Red Bank Veterinary Hospital http://www.rbvh.net/

... and if you see the picture of the gorgeous macaw hanging in the reception area, well, that's my Calvin!!!

[Lisa B]

yep, Dr Cyndi Brown.
She has been my leading vet since 2002.She did her resendency and internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City, working with and learning with Dr Karen Quesneberry, Dr Laurie Hess, Dr Laura Wade, and Dr Karen Rosenthal.(lead vet at u of PA) ALL ABVP.
wonderful lady. you are lucky to have her so close!
I traveled into NYC from TRENTON to use her. I am happy she moved to NJ.
732-747-3636
off of Hance Ave in tinton falls.

I am hopefully moving to that side of the state soon, and one of my things I told my real estate agent is that my vet is at the Red Bank Animal hospital, and I dont want to be far from her. Now it is a 62mile drive each way for me, and she is worth it.

Dr Annelise Strunk is also there specializing in Avian and Exotic. She is from U of Davis, and even studied under Dr Branson Ritchie. Also a very nice woman.
There is another avian vet there, but I have not met her yet.

just to let you know, Initial visit is $149.00 then it is either $79 or $89 anytime after that.

tell her Sampson Bell's mom said Hi!

[CALVINS MOM]

Okay - so one up me, Lisa!! I took the easy way out....

PS -you forgot her shoe size.

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by CALVINS MOM

Okay - so one up me, Lisa!! I took the easy way out....

PS -you forgot her shoe size.

JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!

**LOL** hey, when I like someone I sing thier praises..ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
just as I do your store....
so should I know your shoe size?

ps..ask me how many times I've written her BIO for events?

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by Lisa B

**LOL** hey, when I like someone I sing thier praises..ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
just as I do your store....
so should I know your shoe size?

ps..ask me how many times I've written her BIO for events?

8 1/2

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by CALVINS MOM

8 1/2

ok, would you like me to include that when I am doing the PR letters for BP?
I'm sure the future speakers would like to know that

ask Kathy about the letter I sent out bout you guys........

[ear]

Thanks for all the info everyone! I will be calling to make an appt. I will request Dr. Browns Shoe size if you like, just so we all know and are on the same page.

Tiko actually got a little air the other day... and flew from her stand up to my shoulder, so, I do think it is time to get her clipped.

Good Luck with the move Lisa, Welcome to the area