Full Flight Parrot Information

[anbrownucsd]

Hello Everyone,

I am making another informational sheet, and was hoping to get some expertise.

I do not want to start an argument over whether free flight or clipping is better, I am not even completely sure how I feel about it! However, this flyer is presenting one point of view: that of free-flight.

It lists legitimate sources talking about health considerations and how to SAFELY keep a bird free flight.

At this point I would like to list "additional resources" and was hoping that members of this board would have favorite websites or groups that teach about free-flight in some way! If you could reply asap with your favorites I would really appreciate it!

Thanks

[macawlover]

I know that if people want to train their free flighted parrots outside, an aviator harness is a good idea. I just recieved mine today, and the instrucion video is awesome!!
Here's a ton of information on it: Aviator Parrot & Bird Harness and Leash

[loyallyroyal]

show your birds the windows and mirrors around the house

these are also amazingly helpful
Stop Birds Flying Into Windows, Yard & Garden at old-fashioned-values.com

window clings are also cheaper and work just as well, plus make a nice decoration during the seasons until your bird learns where the windows and mirrors are

never lets your bird out with the ceiling fans on, have a no open door/window policy when your bird is out so dont have people coming in and out of your house (better safe than sorry).

bird proof your home, think what can a flying bird get into, maybe dont give your bird the run of the whole house, mine only has access to his room, the hall, the family room, and the kitchen.

use common sense, put your bird away when you are using the kitchen...
avoid those lamps that get really hot, if your bird landed on one it wouldnt be pretty, if your bird is good at oppening its cage put locks on

train your bird a reliable come (i use pine nuts as a reward) in case of an emergency, only take your bird outside using a harness or travel carrier,

give them a designated spot to relax outside of the cage where they can play, hang a boing from the ceiling ect. my boy likes to sit on top of the fridge with his toys

make sure there are no bodies of water they can drown in, ex. water in the sink, open toilets, bath water, ect.

if you dont have the time/energy to supervise your bird put them in their cage for their safety

what are all these info sheets for, just wondering?

[Ashling]

"train your bird a reliable come in case of an emergency"
Couldn't agree more!!!

Don't have predators and prey out at the same time, regardless of how docile or uninterested your pet cat/dog is.

[jenseits]

Just want to point out there's a huge difference between leaving your bird flighted and "free flight". Free flight means letting/teaching your bird to fly OUTSIDE without restraint.

Barbara Heidenreich has some good info on free flying, as does Raz on Carly Lu's flight blog. Raz has links to additional recommended resources as well.

I think most people should never consider free flight - it takes a LOT of expert training and dedication and I think most people just aren't equipped to do it right. However, I do believe keeping a bird flighted INDOORS is a good thing for most birds and a lot more doable than most people think.

[Buteo]

As breathtakingly grand as seeing them in flight is, I'd NEVER chance it around my city!!! There are WAY too many aerial predators around here.....
There are falcons, hawks and owls all along the Niagara Escarpment- there have even been a few eagles in the last couple of years.

LOL!! As a matter of fact, every year now, the local conservation groups set up webcams & the city celebrates when the local Peregrine Falcons hatch of a brand new batch of babies. They have been known to hang around for months before spreading out across Ontario.

The last thing in the world I'd want is to end up losing one of our FIDs to one of them.

[ROYJOY]

My sun conure, and p'let, enjoy free flight outdoors, my GW is in training, and my 2 lovebirds fly indoors only.

i must agree, freeflight isnt for everybody.

[bgenie]

Parrotrecalltraining on Yahoo groups is a great resource for freeflighted parrot owners. This would be a good internet resource to be listed for potential parronts who would like to train their bird in the art of recall training while flighted.

~Melissa

P.S. See Halyn (B&G/RF hybrid) recalling in my sig pictures.