Yeah, I'm okay with Wasabi being able to glide a ways and so is he. He knows too when his wings are long enough to go more, because he starts "flying away" any time he gets mad at me.

Mojo, my baby and other Parrotlet can fly from here to there but he doesn't "hide" and doesn't do it often, mostly to find me.

So...update... just clipped the Red Rumps wings after LOTS of stressing. Just like with the toenails, I've probably got a super sized ulcer by now. They aren't the prettiest but nothing is sticking out and I was able to clean up some of the last chop job my babies got when they had their wings clipped. No blood feathers. Everything is in tact except my nerves. Waiting for help with Wasabi though, after my "good" ones squirmed endlessly.

I do not clip Chipper. I love a bird to fly. Don't clip too much. They need to be able to escape from dangerous things like the floor, etc.

So I finally got up the nerve to do Wasabi's wings and get this - he was the easiest one! I clipped only enough to ensure they cannot fly far but all of them can glide easily. As I expected Wasabi got "all nice" again, little bugger.

i am glad everything went ok

Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Wingclipping and African Grey Parrots - Pet Birds

This site should help you understand the anatomy of the wing. I cut my own for all 4 birds. I do the first 5 of the primary flights but I leave it at least 1/2 inch below the covert. This helps them to glide rather than fall to the floor. It also keeps you away from making a bloody mistake which can be a disaster.

Leigh,

Thanks I will try that next time. I cut just below the covert because I read that if anything was sticking out they could pick at it. And all of their last cuts were horrible "chop jobs" so I had to clean up some of the other feathers. The person cut WAY more than the first 5 and they were very uneven so I tried to smooth them out.