A question to flighted Macaw Owners-
How do your larger birds do being flighted. I liken merlin to a fighter pilot. He can bank at 180 degrees and sail through openings his body width but I somehow doubt my Green Wing will be able to do that. I'm somewhat concerned that she might hurt herself trying to fly around a smaller area. Is this founded or will she adapt? We are moving into a much larger house in a few months but I think she might crash a few times in our townhome.

I am of the opinion that either or, whatever works for you that is just fantastic, and hats off to all who can have fully flighted birds. I have a flighted amazon, but he doesnt fly due to shot muscles- my other birds are clipped. If I knew my parrotlet breeder beforehand, I would have had a flighted parrotlet.
My caiques are clipped for safety. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I had an incident happen the other day that re-affirmed my decision about clipping.
Higgins is a danger to anyone and everyone in the house when flighted. He is currently growing out his flights and I have been slack about clipping them back. The other night he was playing on his cage, and I was sitting on the couch with Tahoe, my parrotlet. Higgins cage was a good 50 feet away from us. One minute he was playing happily on his cage, the next he had flown effortlessly over to my mom, then rebounded from her over to me where I had Tahoe on my lap. He began to lunge viciously at Tahoe. I literally had to shield Tahoe with my body, leaning over him as Higgins was lunging and biting viciously. I was taking the bites instead of Tahoe- and Higgins was out to kill.
This all happened in a matter of seconds, and was not an attacked that was provocked. Higgins went out of his way to attack another bird- its happened before, he has gone after Paco, my amazon. He is dangerous around other birds when flighted because he thinks he is 10 ft tall and invincible, and has no problems bullying others that are 20 times his size.
Its a situational thing, dependant upon each household whether or not they can handle a flighted bird. I can handle a flighted amazon, but certainly not a flighted caique.

On principle, I believe birds deserve to be flighted. It's central to their very being. On the other hand, I'm not arrogant enough to think that just because I believe something, that makes it "true".

Being a bird involves many dangers, whether clipped or flighted. For me, the benefits of flight outweigh the dangers. If my bird is flighted, it is incumbent on me to ensure it's safety to the greatest extent possible. We cannot foresee every possible danger, nor can we absolutely guarantee safety whether flighted or not. Heck, I can't even guarantee my own safety.

I will not take my birds outside unless harnessed or in a travel cage, and I wouldn't if they were clipped either. When the birds are out of the cage, the doors to the outside are locked. If someone shows up who can't wait until I get them corralled, I'm sorry. I try to provide as safe an environment in the house as I can, and if I notice any potential danger, I try to correct it.

Many very dedicated and loving bird owners decide that for them, clipping is the right choice. As long as that choice is reached in a well thought out and reasoned manner, with awareness that there may be a viable alternative, then I'm satisfied with their decision.

It's so important to discuss matters like this in a rational and non-confrontational manner. That's how we learn, and how we improve. As has been pointed out, stagnation of ideas as to proper treatment is a dangerous thing. Not so long ago it was thought to be perfectly proper to keep a parrot chained to a T-stand. No, please don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that if you clip your bird it's like chaining him to a T-stand! I'm just saying that there's always a possibility that what we believe today could one day come to be thought of as "the way they used to do things".

Let me leave you with this thought. Whether to clip or not to clip is guaranteed to provoke lively discussion and so far as I know, no "one" right answer has emerged. Bird owners, avian vets, behaviorists, etc., all produce equally compelling reasons for or against clipping, but there is no overwhelming consensus. Think about that. Could that be because there is no "one" right universal answer?

Ceilidh could turn figure 8's in a tiny space (we gave him a baby clip months ago to slow him down, and he broke all his flights off after that--we're waiting for them to grow back again). Arthur, who never fledged and now has his wings again, only cares to fly in a straight line to the perch Ceilidh is on (he likes Ceilidh--Bob isn't happy with that). He hasn't tried any banking maneuvers, yet. Bob has some of his flights, but almost none of his tail, so he's pretty awkward almost any time he flies. Mostly just flutters to the ground, as he can't steer very well with short/broken tailfeathers. Eddie never tries to fly, although we've had him a year, and he's fully flighted. The breeder heavily clipped Mikey's wings before sending him home, and he's awhile before molting them out and replacing them. The lovies and Petey go where they want when they want, pretty much.

NICE discussion! I am enjoying reading it and tickled that we're all staying calm and mature!

Thank you so much for this info Irish. I also was wondering if the bigger Caws were able to maneuver in smaller areas. I don't think Kady will ever fly due to surgery on both his wing tips, but I do have hopes that Kita will fly. She's only flown in a downward motion so far, maybe a distance of 15 feet.

Cooper (my nearly 2 year old B&G) was clumsy at first and had some crash landings in smaller areas as he was not adept at navigating tight spaces. He got much better the more practiced he became with flying and the more familiar he became with his surroundings. It's remarkable how well he does indoors given the fact that his wing span is not exactly narrow!!

We have a good group of people here. I'm going through the different responses, the different views and smiling as I read them. I can identify with everyone!

If large birds learn to fly in small spaces they will navigate well. Our Hys can fly into our master bedroom closet, turn, bank 180 degrees and return to their ring. It was unbelievable to see considering their wing span!

I don't think it boils down to "right" or wrong (simple terms IMO used by some on various boards) & I don't feel it is ok for anyone (for the bird's sake) to simply brush the subject off by saying each of us should do what each of us "thinks" is best for our birds? I also don't believe there will ever be an "equally compelling" reason to clip as there is to not clip. All one needs to do to keep their birds safe (while they enjoy full flight) is to make the effort, take the precautions, spend/make/save the money needed to make it happen and QUIT making excuses why one cannot/will not provide a safe area for their bird(s) to be birds (whether indoors or outdoors). Makes me want to pull my hair out !!!! LOL.

Maybe one of these days I will understand (but I doubt it) why every bird keeper can't (just by using common sense IMO) simply realize/admit (to themselves at least) that a physically fit bird is more healthy and more happy compared to an unfit bird who is handicapped by clipping, deprived of natural sunlight or proper F.S. Lighting and fed less than a proper species-specific diet (as natural as possible without man made chemicals, dyes, additives, preservatives, etc.).

That is the first step IMO in order to give our birds a chance of being what they were meant to be = for us to realize what is better/best and then to strive our very best to attain/construct the safest, most natural living conditions for them. Doesn't take consensus or studies to come to the conclusion that birds would prefer to fly if they could communicate that in words to all of us. I for one can see that just from their actions when fully flighted. Can't everyone else?

I personally admire bird keepers who (some members of PC fall into this category) currently clip (even though I am totally against clipping) who say something like: "I believe I can't/won't allow my bird(s) to be fully flighted NOW because of this and that but I do realize that they would be best off (more healthy & more happy) if they could fly and I will do everything in my power to get set up eventually to provide that for them. Nuff said for now. JMO.