Hey how do you clip the wings of a parrotlet? It has already been done but will need it again. So I need to know how to do it. Also, when should you do it. How many months in between the clippings? I have heard mixed comments. I have heard about every 4 months and about every 6 or 7 months. Is there an exact time? If anyone has maybe a diagram of how to clip the wings, it would be much appreciated. ~Jenna

You'll have to watch for the clipped feathers to molt out and the new flights to grow in - I don't know if you can count on a certain time frame. I think it's best to have an avian vet demonstrate how to clip them if you've never done it before. A bad clip can be dangerous and uncomfortable for the bird.

And if you have the means to keep him flighted, I'm all for that. Parrotlets have huge amounts of energy and there really isn't a better cardiovascular workout than flying.

Never - unless it is just a temporary clip to tame down an impossible bird. Best for the bird's health, longevity (in most cases) and happiness for it to remain fully flighted as it was meant to be. Instead of handicapping our birds, we should take whatever steps necessary to insure it's safety while outside the cage. Sorry if that was not the answer(s) you were looking for. JMO.

With our living situations it is best that he dont fly. I have one word to explain the situations lol CAT. LOL I wanted the person I got him from to show me but they didnt want to wait, they had to do it right when they did for some reason. I was thinking about taking him to a bird pet store that does it but, I also would like not only a demonstration for someone but a diagram. I do better with things I can see lol. ~Jenna

I have 3 cats. We do not allow our cats to be around the birds when the birds are out and flying. But in the case that we slip up on something, we want our birds to have the chance to escape if they ever encounter the cats without the cage bars in between (we also have the birds way out of reach of the cats). If the cat runs over to the bird when they are out, the bird has no chance of escape without the wings. Be aware that cats possess a natural bacteria called pastuerella that is deadly to birds - this bacteria is present in the cat's saliva and nails so one lick or puncture wound from a nail could be deadly to a bird.

Unfortunately for your bird it isn't "lol" but

Suggestion: Have you considered building or buying a cage (long vs. tall but still very roomy) that can be fairly easily attached high up on a wall, with F.S. Lighting mounted on top (out of cat's reach or jumping capabilities) and then only allowing the bird out while the cat is securely locked up. An arrangement like this would communicate to your bird just how much you love him. JMO.

This is the biggest reason to leave a bird flighted, it give the bird a sporting chance of escape, clipping will just allow the cat an easy meal.

That being said I do support clipping if there was another reason other than the cat. I have clipped birds and 1 fully flighted recall trained Peanut, so I guess I am on the fence with this issue. Both sides have merit provided whatever choice is made has a sound reason behind it.

I agree with the others in that having a cat should be a reason to leave a bird flighted. A clipped bird can glide to the floor, and then what? They can't take off to escape from the cat. However, clipping is a personal choice. Just make sure to completely weigh all of your options, and keep at the forefront of your mind that letting a bird keep his wings is what is best for him.

Camille, you are cute = like Duh.

Jenna...... I re-homed a beautiful fully flighted Sun Conure once (many yrs. ago) to a very nice lady who said she loved all of her birds. Unfortunately for the lil Sun, this lady clipped it to make her life a little easier and left it out on top of a high cage that her lil dog could not reach. She had to run out to the store and instructed her hubby to keep an eye on the bird while he was sitting on the couch in the same room. He dozed off and the bird was found dead on the floor when the lady came home. There were obvious signs that the playfull puppy did it. She cried her heart out and said she was so sorry that she had clipped, as she knew that if she hadn't the Sun would not have been caught by her slow lil dog. Just an example of what can happen.......Btw, hubby is still sleeping on that couch.


Hi-Ho Silver, Away!!!!!

I just had a good example of the "getaway if need be." Tuesdays is my yoga class and it's the one night that Dave is responsible for all bird duties. I drove to my yoga class but since I missed the last class I was unaware that tonight's class was canceled. Normally I would have picked up my cell phone to let Dave know I would be home much earlier than usual - but my cell phone died earlier today because I forgot to charge it.

So I get home and the dogs are in the back yard. I walked in the house and [stupidly] it didn't occur to me that the birds would be out and of course the dogs came running in. (If it's me the only one home when the birds are out I lock the garage door or put a sign up that the birds are out - Dave's not that intuitive and, well, he wasn't expecting me home for another 2 hours so I can't blame him.)

As soon as the birds saw the dogs running in they all took flight. The dogs aren't interested in the birds and we train them to not give them a second glance, but chaos could have EASILY ensued from this encounter. If the birds were sitting there (say, on the couch and at dog's eye level), they could have been a snack very easily. But the birds took flight and flew themselves out of harms way and into another room as Dave and I calmy grabbed each dog by the collar and ushered them back outside.