Elwoodblue's freedom flight

[TooLover]

All macaw owners beware; as Nancy has stated numerous times, it is breeding season, and IMO it makes our macaws do strange things. :!: Elwoodblue, who has bonded so well with me, took a flight this past weekend. I hadn't clipped his wings with it being winter an all, and he wasn't outside much. It was a bit windy Saturday and instead of stepping up, Elwood decided to take advantage of the wind and off he flew; :shock: first across the street into the neighbor's tree; then to another neighbor's tree; off to the woods behind our subdivision into the highest pine tree he could find. It took us three hours and 2 trees' lives to get him back home. Needless-to-say he has since been clipped. My friend from Arizona has a friend who had a similar incident with her macaw. I will admit now, watching him fly through the air was an awesome sight and I wish I would have taped it because it WON'T happen again. I am looking into harnesses to make sure this never happens again! It is an awful feeling to see your beautiful baby high up in the tree, and feeling helpless as to how to get him down. I embarassed that this has happened :oops: , however, I wanted to share my experience so others can learn from my stupid mistake!

[The Outlaw]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! It happens far more often than folks care to admit. In addition to the obvious dangers of flying off, add to that the crazy weather and its a recipe for disaster. Finding a pile of blue feathers at the foot of a tree is enough to make one vomit. I believe in clipping them HARD. All of mine have the first 5 flights trimmed. I don't care what anyone else thinks about it. I know where mine are. Allowing them full feathers is like handing car keys to a toddler. Just keep that in mind.

THE OUTLAW

[TooLover]

I was freaked out beyond words. When I got him onto the porch and on his perch he looked at me and said "What's up" - how could I stay mad at him?!
He is such a smart bird when he chooses to be. I can walk up to him and look at him - after a little bit he asks me "WHAT?"
I am so thankful I got him back and it won't happen again!

[Graehstone]

I think I would just die of a heart attack right there and then. I am soooo glad that everything turned out the way it did, just scares you to death to think what else might have happened.
I am very happy that your baby is safe and home.

[TooLover]

Thank you- I cried many tears of joy when I had him back safe and sound!

[smallonion]

I''m so glad Elwood is safe and sound. By the way, I finally figured out what his name means..it's from the Blues Brothers, right? Because he's a blue and gold macaw....? I love silly but serious mens names for parrots (hence my Humphrey). My next bird may be named Jasper or Winston, depending if it fits the personality!

MIchele and Humphrey