Advice on ringnecks

[fluffy_stitch]

Hi everyone,im new to the BirdBoard and this is my first post,i am looking for some advice about what to do about taming and traiming my indian ringneck so that she can be handled without drawing more blood!! I have been trying to get her used to me by sitting by the cage and talking to her and whistling and offering her treats for a couple of weeks but she just clings to the back of the cage and flaps around in panic if i put my hand near the cage,she is let out to fly aroung for a few hours every day but i have to chase and catch her with a towel every time to put her back in and this really stresses her out and makes her even more scared of me,i have read a couple of articles about taming and training ringnecks and other birds on the internet and they say that you need to clip the birds wings to start with but im unsure if this is the right thing to do with her,i have also read about a catching the bird and wrapping it in a towel and holding it close to you and stroking it through the towel until it calms down but i think that was more for aggressive birds than frightened ones,i would be thankful for any advice,cheers Chris.

[Tinna]

Clipping isn't a bad thing, first of all how tall is the cage? If it isn't at eye level with you then if she's higher up than you she's going to lord over you and everyone else who isn't at her level, if she's too low to the ground then she'll be frightened. Put her at eye level, and I suggest maybe a partial clip for her wings that way she can still get around moderately (like be able to fly about 5 feet which is enough to loft down or up or catch herself in a fall) but it'll also get the wild bird issues under control. For "some" (NOT ALL) birds flight means more aggression and the tendancy to be wild and not want to be handled. Take her to a place that professionally trims, tell them you want a partial clip not a full so that she can get around to some extent and see if that doesn't curb her little attitude =) I've brought down many a mighty parakeet's little butt to home by making them realise they're not the ones with the power and after she gets used to you, in 6 months or so whenever they molt and her wings come back you can let them grow out and see if she returns to her old behavior, if she seems good then go ahead and let her fly around, but for the time being I'm saying you should clip that bird and let her come to terms with the fact she doesn't own the roost just yet. :) Good luck!

[fluffy_stitch]

hi again,her cage is a fair bit higher than eye level,didnt even think of that!,and i like the idea of a partial clip too so she can still safely get around a bit,thanks for your advice Tinna,ill definately give it a try,Chris.

[Tinna]

No problem good luck!