The Jan lady I just talked about in my other post (My Saturday in a house full of 'toos told me that she clips her cockatoos first 7 flight feathers, and showed me where she cut them on one of her U2's, which was between 1/2" - 3/4" up from the covert feathers ( I think that's what they are called, the ones on the underside/bottom of the wing they lay ontop of the flight feathers). Would I do the same thing for Jack? Toweled of course, and first checking for blood feathers.

Thanx

Glider - I don't recommend you clipping Jack. Take him to a professional. The MOST you should clip (IMHO) is the first five. Any more than that could be deadly. I refused to sell a BF Amazon to a lady today since she wanted me to clip two more feathers on either side (making 7). Didn't want the bird to fly at all. Despite my explaining to her that the bird needs to glide down, she insisted. So, I politely told her I would not be able to sell her the bird.

Okay, I'll do that.
There's a bird store not too far away from me that sells some bird supplies, and then a bunch of birds, many of which they handraise themselves, and they clip tons of birds feathers a day (this was where Jack's wings were clipped before I got her), there's always 2 guys working there so one will hold the toweled bird and the other clips the feathers, if I watch them clip the first wing and then let them guide me through cutting the second wing, do you think I could just do it myself at home the next time (with another person of course) or still no?

It's kinda hard to do, unless Jack will allow you to pull out her wing. She may, since she is still young.

IMPORTANT RULE OF THUMB: Bring your own scissors, your own nail clippers and your own towel. Don't allow the pet store to use any of their supplies. Easiest way for Jack to pick up a disease.

Perhaps you can watch the first time.... and then do "upkeep" as needed....

I use large dog toenail clippers to do the wings at my store. I like how the cutting part is round so that it does not "crush" the feather folicle like sissors, but clips it.

I agree on the 7 feather rule. The ONLY bird I have ever had to clip more than 4 or 5 feathers was a cockatiel that could still fly 100% across the room with ALL the flight feathers clipped. Since then I grew them out and he is just fully flighted, what is the point of clipping a bird that can just fly anyway? I figure it just opened him up to injury by having those sharp edges.

I'll will definately bring all my own supplies, and I will have them cut the feathers in the cage building where no birds are (to prevent airborne stuff). That is a great idea! I'll watch them do all the cutting, and when I see a moulted clipped feather, I will check for the new one (I am sure I will see it before it comes in fully anyway), then all I have to do is clip the one feather which will be right next feathers I can look at to see what it should look like. Jack lets me pull her wings out if she is on a playstand/perch/cage/etc. but I don't know about how willing she would be in a towel.

Shane,
I thought you were working on recall training with Jack? Why the sudden decision to clip? Not judging, just wondering. Lara brought up a valid point in the big clipping vs. non clipping thread. Here's the link to her post: To Clip or Not to Clip.... Especially if Jack has been flying, even a little bit, I think a gradual clip is something you should really consider. It would be a big shock for her to try and take off like usual only to find herself heading towards the floor.

If Jack is that tame about wings, IMO it would be better to clip only 4 and then the 5th if really necessary. I only have 1 sun with 5 clipped.

Yes, and, sterilize them as well. I would not clip him personally. Let him fly!

Shane,
I too am very curious as to why your deciding to clip Jack. Has he been flying?