wings to trimmed wings transition

[smallonion]

HI everyone,

I'm thinking of having Humphrey's wings trimmed. But I'm in sort of turmoil about it. First, the fact that Humphrey is flighted has increased his bonding wtih me. WHat I mean by this is that he
now flies into the bedroom to find me, and when I'm in the room, he flies over to me (and my husbnad)and lands on our heads or laps. He will not step up.He can touch us, but we are not allowed to touch him! He climbs all over us, but we can't touch any part of his body. I had been working on touching his beak, but with little luck. So, my problem is if I take Humphrey's flight away, the closeness and routines we have wil no longer happen.

Second, I want Humphrey to be a cage-free parrot. I know this is controversial, but I leave Humph's cage open all the time, even when I'm out.I close the door so he is confined to one room. He spends his day in or on top of the cage, or on his playstand. I have never come home and found him somewhere other than the cage or playstand. He is only motivated to fly off to come to me and my husband. So, two problems if I have his wings clipped:
1.) If he jumps off his playstand when I'm not home, he won't be able to get back up. This is not likely but it could happen. He won't fly off except to come to me, but what if something scares him?
2.) If I change what I do, and keep him locked in a cage when I'm not home, I'd have to get him back in the cage somehow before I go out. How can I do this if he won't step up?

In some ways I think he would be better with his flight, and sometimes without. I know it would be safer, so I never lose him. But I do enjoy when he flies over to me and lands on my head or lap, or when he flies into the bedroom, looking for me, and lands on my lap.

Any thoughts or advice would be most gratefully received.

Michele and Humphrey

[Crebain]

The plusses outweigh the minuses, IMO. Trim his flight feathers, and train him to step up. You cannot totally "bird-proof" a living area well enough for safe, unattended liberty on a daily basis.

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

I had the same problem with Kira, Michele. I didn't really want to clip her because her flight gave her confidence, but she refused to step up when she was flighted. I trimmed her anyway... just to see how she would be without flight for awhile. She steps up when I ask her to, although she has been a little more shy. I think I'll trim only a couple flights next time instead. You might also try clipping the first two feathers or so. You'll never know what will happen until you try! Just remember, they're feathers, and will grow back! :)

[smallonion]

Well, I made an appointment for Thursday for Humphrey. I don't know if I'll keep it. One more thing I need advice on: if I have Humphrey's wings trimmed, what about the first time he tries to fly and realizes he can't? Will it be traumatic for him? What should I do to make it easier for him?

Thanks, Michele and Humph

[The Outlaw]

The best thing you can do is to open his cage door near a bed. Let him fly across it and if he falls, no harm done. That's how some breeder fledge baby birds.

THE OUTLAW

I agree, however, especially when moving, birds need to be trimmed just so they can't get away should someone forget to close a door. Moving creates chaos. The feathers will grow back later.

[smallonion]

Thanks Outlaw. Now what about psychologically? When he realizes he can't fly? Will it upset him? What should I do?

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

Archer moped for a couple days after I clipped him, but he got over it pretty quickly. I wouldn't worry too much about it. :)