Bird owners have unique challenges that would catch a dog or cat owner by surprise. For example, you never have to worry about cussing in front of the four-leggeds – they wouldn’t be able to repeat it! Feeding dogs and cats is simply a matter of narrowing down the right brand of food, but feeding birds is a whole different matter – with choices of pellets, seeds, table food, chop, supplements and more. And then there’s the issue of flight. A dog or cat owner would never have to worry about one of their pets landing on a guest’s unsuspecting shoulder.
Probably one of the most controversial topics among bird owners is wing clipping. Should we clip our birds’ wings or not? New bird owners, especially, struggle with this question. The answer could be that no one size fits all, that it depends on the bird, the bird’s lifestyle, the home environment, or the owner’s preference. Here are some pros and cons to help you reach the right personal decision for your bird and household.
Side note: Wing clipping does not hurt the bird; it is cutting off the ends of mature flight feathers (while avoiding developing blood feathers) at the ends of the wings. Flight feathers grow back with moults. Don’t wing it, though! If you decide to clip wings, carefully research the proper methods and clipping styles, or have an avian veterinarian do it for you.
Why clip wings?
Safety – Clipping wings keeps birds out of trouble like toilets, sinks full of water, ceiling fans, mirrors, closing doors, boiling pots of water, outdoor escapes, or canines’ mouths. A fast-moving bird could prove too tempting for prey-driven Max.
The bird stays put – For the most part, if you put the bird on a perch or couch, she doesn’t go very far, making her easier to keep track of.
Peace of mind – Wing clipping calms some birds’ demeanors. It also makes them more dependent on their parronts to take them places.
Why keep wing feathers intact?
The bird’s health – Both physical and mental. A bird that can fly gets better exercise, and there are medical reports that it’s healthy for muscle tone, liver and internal organs. Also, a bird that can fly might have a better mental outlook, and it could possibly prevent plucking behavior.
The bird can escape danger – If he’s on the floor or other vulnerable position, he can fly away from real or perceived indoor dangers.
Recall training – Recall training is when a bird is taught to come to you in flight. Also an excellent way to bond with your bird, recall training is an important skill that might help in the event she accidentally flies outdoors without the safety of a FlightSuit or harness.
The reasons for clipping or not can be complicated. While we do not advocate for or against wing clipping, this information serves to help parronts make the best decision for their birds.
Keep loving your “birbs”,
Lori
Mama to a green-cheeked conure, American budgie and German roller canary
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