Happy Birthday Humphrey!

[smallonion]

Well, it's not really his birthday, but it is the one year anniversary of the day I brought Humphrey to live in his forever home with us! Since I don't know his real hatchday, this will be his birthday.

What a year it has been! Humphrey has gone from a terrified, skinny, bald-patched and sad creature to a little bird who has lots of fun and enjoys life, and is starting to love my husband and me. Just now I was in the bedroom after washing my hair and Humphrey flew in to find me, and when he did, landed on my head. W'e've come a long way, haven't we, my dear bird.

Guess what he's getting for his birthday- a wing clip :-( He's also getting his nails trimmed. I hope this turns out well...I'm a bit worried.
Michele andHumphrey

[Joel]

What a lucky bird, for the most part, to have found you or you him......... :)

I forgot why you are clipping (handicapping your guy) a bird who flys around looking for you......Oh well, I wish him the best of luck and continued happiness for you....I love that term, his "forever home"....... :)

[smallonion]

Oh Joel, I'm already in turmoil about clipping him, you've made it worse! I want him to have his wings (he is a bird) but the majority opinion is that he should be clipped. Also, I live in England where window screens simply do not exist (I'm serious). People just open the windows and let the bugs in,andyou can't buy them.

Also, he will not step up and his in a way using his flight to dominate. He will fly into the bedroom and refuse to come back. THings like that. Some people have the theory that if he is clipped he will be a bit easier to train. I want us to have the best relationship possible and I want him to learn to trust me. Right now I am in the living room, he is in the bedroom and he won't come out. THat is not the kind of relationship you should have with your parrot. I have to try something!

What I'mthinking is that he will have wings in the winter and be clipped in the summer. If he learns to step up.. then perhaps this is the last time I will clip him. I feel I just have to try it. I also fear that perhaps he won't forgive me.

Michele andHumph

[LMPego]

Congrats, Humphrey, on your anniversary!
Michele, I think you're doing the right thing in clipping him for the summer. It totally depends on the bird and the situation. Just don't rely on the clip as to his safety with open windows, doors, etc. It just takes one scare and one draft. I think he'll definitely be easier to train when clipped, and when his wings start to grow out, work on training him to fly to you. You never know - by next summer, you might be in a different situation and won't have to clip him. He'll forgive you.

[The Outlaw]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HUMPHREY! GOOD BIRD.

[smallonion]

Well, I did it. I brought Humph home from the vet about an hour ago. My poor boy. He had his wings and nails done.

I left the room when the vet toweled him and came back in when he was done. He put Humph back in his cage and Humphrey RAN over to the side of the cage where I was standing. THe vet said, "He sure is happy to see you!" That was the idea - I come in and 'rescue' him from the mean vet.

Poor Humph was breathing so heavily - I've never seen him breathe like that. The vet said it was because he was angry and scared - adrenaline in his body.

Now he's home, sitting on his perch. I hope he's ok. My dear baby, I do love him. I wonder if he's sulking? He's just sitting there, not moving. Not like him at all.

Michele and Humphrey

[Monica]

It doesn't sound like he's happy with what happened and may take a couple days to recover from the inscident...

I hope things work out and he learns that it's not a problem that he can't fly! I hope to hear more of how you and Humphrey are doing!

[Joel]

Sorry Michele, didn't mean to distress you any more than you already may be........AW dang it, YES I DID!!!! Have to be honest here. :) ....I tried my best for HUMPH., tell him uncle Joel is thinking of him. :(

Well I feel somewhat better for Humphrey that you will at least let him have his wings back part of the year :) . Maybe once he is trained to your liking you will then maybe never clip again (keeping fingers & toes crossed). Birds have to have a little bit of an attitude since they can fly 8) , hell, you would too if you could fly......I personally like that attitude of independence, come when I feel like it attitude........Yes, I do feel he is sulking right now. If someone took away your ability to walk/run and put you in a wheel-chair or gave you a cain, you probably would be sulking too .......JMHO........

Btw, one can cut a piece of aviary wire to fit onto the window to prevent escape and take all kinds of other precautioins to ensure safety for HUMPH or any other pet bird in a home IMO & IME.......I still think Humph is lucky to have you though as a keeper because I think you really do love him, we will just have to disagree on the clipping part. Good luck and let us know how he is coming along and how long it takes him to get used to it and over the sulking part.........Also remember now that even though you have possibly eliminated some possible hazards of full flight, you have also created new possible hazards of none flight.........Just be careful as I know you will, we all love Humph and wish only the best for him. :)

[smallonion]

Thanks Joel. My plan is exactly that- if he gets a bit tamer he can have his wings back forever! He's making huge strides now so maybe by the time they grow back (his wings grow quite quickly) then he can keep them forever.

This morning he is not sulking so much anymore. However, I think the sulk came from the indignity of being held in a towel . He hates that. He is out of his cage this morning, ate his breakfast,and is on his playstand, preening.I don't know if he knows he's lost his flight feathers yet - he hsan't tried to fly.


I know - even though he can't really fly, one must still be very careful.
Michele and Humphrey

[smallonion]

Update:

Humphrey just came over and sat on my lap. I was so pleased! My baby still wants to be my friend.

The wing clip was very successful: he is able to glide down, and not fall like a brick. He looked a little shocked, but I've set up ladders so he can climb back up to his playstand, which he figured out how to do successfully. I think he'll be ok, and I"m relieved. THe only thing is, he hasn't squawked loudly all morning. He's been very quiet. Usually he has a bit of a good yell every morning. I'm sure he'll be ok though. I love this dear baby.

Michele and Humphrey