Monster

[Mrs Jeffrey]

Munchkin from yesterday has been a right little monster, if anyone tries to put her play balls back on her cage she will scream, pin her eyes and lunge for you. Today she has started flying onto peoples heads and then peck them like mad and if she manages to get down onto your sholder she will climb around and go for your face. She has been a total nightmare All I have done is remove her and put her back in her cage. I would have grabbed her beak and removed it and told her "NO" but she does not like hands and I don't want her to get even more scared of them.
People say about not giving them the chance to bite by using a dowel, but she will jump and fly straight onto your sholder.
Should I get her clipped?????

[Addicted to Tequila]

I am a big supporter of clipping. Tames them down... but also prevents a tragedy waiting to happen. I have just known too many birds crippled or killed by flying into windows, ceiling fans, mirrors, etc.

[Kathy]

Clipping...I call it an attitude adjustment. Works everytime for my guy.
I also put his cage on the floor. after three days he is pretty sheepish....

Tawheed has never acted in the way you describe, so i am hoping the above adjustments will work for you.

[babycakes122972]

I totally agree with clipping, though you will have many argue this. I have 5 IRN's and all are clipped. They start getting very bossy with me when their flight feathers grow in. I still sometimes have to do the whole earthquake with one of my males but once i do that he knows he was bad............... I really think if you clip you will have a better behaved birdie........Pic is of our newest addition, and have only had him about a week............so yes they can be wonderful birds, and he just met her

[Mrs Jeffrey]

What age should they be clipped, I have read that they shouldn't be clipped too young so it gives them chance to build up their chest muscles.

[Aces Wild]

Ace had had his wings clipped since I got him from the breeder at 2 and a half months. I don't plan to have him flighted at all so I am not worried about building chest muscle (although I have never heard of that either).

In my opinion (because I know there are alot of them), clipping will help. I don't believe in letting a bird fly around the house, doing as it pleases. This can be very dangerous.
They describe birds and permanent toddlers.. and I know that I would not allow my daughter to do whatever she wanted!

Try clipping and see if that helps, I think you will notice a difference. The bird will have to depend on you to do certain things and that will also help with a stronger bond.

[Mrs Jeffrey]

Thanks for your replies you have been a great help. I am now in the prosses of finding a good avian vet.

[Kathy]

You should absolutely have an avian vet for your birds. however, for a simple wing clipping ...they can be expensive.

I am fortunate enough to have a pet store in my area with a very caring and knowledgable employee who has her own aviary. They only charge me $4. for a wing clipping.

[Sprecker]

If you decide to clip make sure the fid knows how to fly and land proficiently first and don't over clip. I am a firm believer that a bird should know how to fly even if they are going to be clipped. That and a good clipping shouldn't cripple a bird, it should only prevent them from gaining altitude. If your fid can't sustain some flight and can't land in a controlled manner, s/he is over clipped and can seriously hurt him/herself, even in his/her cage.
4 of my fids were purchased froma pet store that had over clipped their wings and done before they knew how to use their wings. They all recieved chest injuries from crashing into the floor. All of my fids are full flighted or will be when they get their flights back. Just as an example of the damage it can do if not done right my quake recived the worst of the over clipping and the second worst chest injury. After 1 year he can finally fly but he doesn't know how and refuses to do it on his own. I am working with him right now to build up his confidence but he is so scarred from his injuries that he won't even fly to me for a Nutraberry. He'll attack my grey for one just not take the chance of falling.
Sorry for the rant I didn't want to come off as an anti-clipper because I'm not. I have just witnessed to many pro-clippers that seem to think if the birs can fly ten feet his wings aren't clipped enough. I am no expert an would never claim to be. I just din't like seeing my fids get injured over someone elses refusal to learn.
Birds fly, fish swim, dogs bark, cats scratch, horses run and children cry. If you can't deal with that don't bring them into your life.

[Mrs Jeffrey]

Hi there sorry I did forget to mention, the reason I think I should get her/him clipped is due to the constant flying into things, tv, walls, doors, people I am so scared she/he will end up hurting themselves.