teaching bird to fly???

[ravengirl9]

So, Congo, my African Grey is a wonderful bird, and the lady who raised her did a wonderful job with her, but she clipped her wings before she could fly....

I was wondering if when she grew her wings back in, I could teach her to fly? I really wanted to flight train her (recalling ect.). How would I go about teaching her to fly? right now, she'll jump off her cage and let her self crash on the floor when she wants attention... (and it scares the c*** out of me!) I'm worried she's going to hurt herself.

When she jumps, her feet hit the floor, then her chest hits, and then her face! After, she stands up and walks around until she finds me.....

Any help? (thank you)

[renaelock]

I am in the process of strengthing my sun conures muscles. He never learned to fly either and was stuck in this small cage that he couldn't even stretch his wings in without hitting something. I'd make a game out of it. What I am doing now is putting my sun on the palm of my hand and giving him a lift up and dropping my hand fast which is forcing him to use his wings. then when I catch him with my hands I praise and praise and he gets all excited. I think once he understands that he can actually go places with his wings and they are strong enough he should be more eager to try to fly himself. when I started this he went from falling like a rock to almost floating softly down and now he can hover a little. He doesn't understand the concept of flying forward versus just flapping to catch his fall, but we still have a long way to go. I don't know if this will help for me or for you, but if your bird enjoys it just make a game out of the flying and it should take you places. good luck!

[NotEnoughTime]

I had one bird that had never fledged properly. He never flew elegantly - but after a few training sessions he began to understand what his wings were for.

I started training by making him hop from his perch to my finger for a treat - and then slowly moved my finger further and further from the perch. After a short time he began to understand what his wings were for - and started to use them for other purposes. But... Corners were always a problem and crash landing was a matter of course... Flying in a straight line was OK - but stopping before hitting an object was... well.. marginal...

It is very sad when a bird never fledges properly... IMO anyway...

[Jag]

I went through this twice... with my Sun and GCC. For both of them, I had them perched on my finger (they had a death grip so I didn't have to put my thumb over their feet) and I just went down and slightly forward in a fast enough way to make them flap their wings. They stayed on my finger the whole time, so no crashing or possibly harming wings. They got lots of excited praise when they did this. I also connected the word 'fly' to this...so now they take off when I say 'fly'. We worked on this for many, many nights....just the dropping of my hand to inspire them to flap. They loved it.

After a couple of weeks, their muscles were getting stronger, and they would 'flutter' the foot or so to the carpeted floor. They again got lots of excited praise. It was awhile before they were actually 'flying'. With a grey... I think you're going to have to keep your thumb over its feet so it feels secure....and just get the wings flapping. It may take longer since it's a bigger bird. Also, they really need their flights for balance and to keep them from crashing. I don't plan on clipping Ziva as whenever she is able to finally fly I think it would just make her fall.

Once the muscles are built up enough, and your bird is able to *safely* make short flights I'd work on recall, and getting the bird to come to you. I wouldn't encourage this now...as you're saying the bird is crashing. First I'd be worried about your bird being seriously injured, and second I'd be worried that your bird would become afraid of flying, or frustrated with falling and stop trying. If you keep the bird on you where it can't fall....but can exercise those needed wing and chest muscles... then I think you'll have mores success. Good luck!

[MissV]

Just keep in mind that ideally, you want your bird to be able to fly up straight from the ground to your hand (almost completely vertical).

If they can do this a few times, it's a good sign that they're strong enough to recall even if they get outside and a sudden wind/fright causes them to fly far off.


It's just very important to keep in mind all the risks and that it's not just about skill, it's also about strength and stamina.

[ROYJOY]

All very good points, thanx. practice these over, and over, and over. When the muscles start getting into shape, they will start craving the movement, and you wont have to lower your arm to get them flapping, just hold her up high, and she will start flapping. She will flap longer, and longer, as her muscles, lungs, and heart get in shape, and wont become winded as early. since she wasnt fledged, you'll have to teach her every thing. when you teach recall, when she gets to 75% or better, you'll have to teach: turning, flying up, flying down, landing, and etc. please visit Index for further info. also ask plenty of questions here, and join freeflight@groups.com where somemore experts hang out.

[ravengirl9]

Thank you everyone! First thing is first, I'll start her flapping and building up muscles. She does some times for a moment, but is often panting after. Recalling won't be for quite a while, but she often comes rushing up to me now any way.... I think that may give it a easy start.

A few time, she's jumped down, and did 3-4 hops across the floor...

Thanks again!

[ROYJOY]

yes, reward her when she comes to you. when she comes rushing to you unsolicited, being with you is the reward, but back that up occasionaly with a treat, so she'll know she gets a treat when recall starts in ernest.

[pippy]

I taught my birds to fly to me (in the house) by using treats. Their favourite treats are a warm (not hot) cup of de-caf tea, I save them a small amount in the bottom of the mug, and they also love pine nuts!

YouTube - African Grey parrots enjoying a (de-caf) cuppa!

They will also fly to me without the aid of a bribe but when I need to get them back in their cage just before I leave for work in the morning I always allow them their cup of tea so hopefully I'll never be late due to not being able to put my birds away!

I can't help with the initial flying training I'm afraid as mine have never been clipped but I wish you loads of luck!

[Astrid660]

hmm... My Greys don't fly. Well, they flap but they land on the floor on the other side of the room. the just don't seem to be able to fly very well. I wonder if they never got the chance to fledge... It's sad. Same with my rosella, he does not fly, just flaps and drops. :(