So, I've found this interesting... Never in a thousand year would I ever risk it, but I always heard stories of people training their parrots to fly free outside and then come back to them and I know people do it with pidgeons also.. I personally think its a huge risk, even if I had a bird who flew and came back, god forbid something happened one day, I would be devastated.. I would think there are so many factors, just one distraction, or a predator and the birds gone for good as I couldnt fly up after them.. Heres a link I found on the matter. I was wondering if anyone here had any thoughts or even free flight their own parrots.

Free Flight Training

The training is very, very extensive for any free-flyers that I've heard about. It's a long time before they take the training outdoors - recall is first perfected in the home, and then in larger areas such as barns or gymnasiums - really is quite impressive. If I had the time and was very consistent, I would think about working on that (if I had a larger bird - I would barely be able to see my little guys if they flew far LOL).

It is interesting, and to me, wonderful as well. I'm like you though, I'd never be able to take that much of a chance with them. I suppose it could be argued that all of life is a crap-shoot, and if you believe (as I do) that birds should be allowed flight, then why not allow them to fly free? Lord, I'd be a nervous wreck.

There was an interview with Bird Trainer and behaviorist Steve Martin that talks about Free Flight training and that even with their trained birds, they go through a MAJOR desensitization process because of the very reason you said.

The slightest thing, your fid might be use to YOUR dog, but not necessarily a strange dog, a motorcycle could speak by or car with radio booming, there are just ALL kinds of factors that could scare them.

Chris Biro is a famous free flyer and there are others. There are chat groups and clubs dedicated to free flight.

My Piper was trained for recall but because she's a Parrotlet she doesnt qualify for outdoors. She's 100% reliable with a particular perch and a particular headband but only 85% with other cues and food. Which is wrong she should be completely with food. Which if we were free flying outside, she would be.

The training is like Olympic dedication and food management (aka weight management) is the core technique. The birds are extremely bonded to the person and it's a scientific technique. Not like you just do it casually.

It has nothing to do with motorcycles and cars, the birds are on a lead until they get to the destination like for example the beach or central park.

The trainer I know and respect is Hugh Choi he's a great guy and a natural...see his website below for Otis, Gizmo and now Annie.

theotiseffect.com - an urban tail

IME the most interesting thing about free flyers is that according to everyone I've ever met, their birds are NOT HORMONAL nor do they go into off season molts.

Hugh and I discussed whether it's because their body fat is so low they dont enter hormonal condition (similar to a female runner)...or is it because they are just in such supurb physical and mental shape it's a non issue.....because they frequently do NOT FOLLOW a strict natural daylight schedule and oddly enough they dont have the side effects that everyone else suffers from.

Not enough can be said for EXERCISE and FLYING IMO, and every bird should be facilitated and nurtured to use the body they were born to use. IMO if it means collect fewer birds or change your lifestyle, so be it. IMO.

You dont have to go outside, you can get clubs together and rent a gym or something.

There's a yahoo group that coaches Recall that can lead to free-flight.
But again it is a process.
Only you & your fid will know if it's working well enough for the 'risks ' you're talking about. In recall training, the training is similar to training a bird of prey - the food is the motivator for them to return to you & makes them think you are too important to loose. So discipline on your part is a bit thing.

As far as i know, the people who do free-flight pick an area that is fairly open to fly their birds. Not a busy place. They do it often - it is a great outing for their fids. I've even seen videos of partially clipped birds flying short distances between couples or a perch, as a way to offer freedom, exercise & excitement to your bird's life.

I joined that Recall group & they were very welcoming & helpful. It has had big pay-offs. Laker will come to me from another room if i call him.
~ My husband just walked in the door & as soon as Laker heard the door, he flew off my shoulder to my son's room so he could see down the hall to the front door. Then he flew back to our room when my husband said 'let's go'. Now Laker's sitting on his gym laughing his Budgie laugh.

I recommend the inside flying - there are Macaws here who do it so it isn't just a Budgie opportunity.

lethalfire may I have that link please? I read some interviews but didnt see him saying that. Thanks

I was looking for the link, and I think I got mixed up, I don't think it was an interview but on his #2 Parrot training video that I have.

Sorry, I tried.

Ollie is above 90% on recall, 100% if I an holding an almond. I'd like to practice in our shed, but there are so many landing spots not to mention wild birds/nests/poop in there. Maybe sometime I'll have the opportunity to take her to a gym of some sort. I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable flying her outside.

Mollie (pigeon) has been flying free for 10 years. I'll let him out a couple times a week for several hours at a time to exercise and play. I'm assuming I'll be able to do the same with Mira, but time will tell. She must have the same relationships that the farm animals that Mollie does. Because she'll be growing up with them same as Mollie did I don't see a problem. We live on a farm 15 miles from the nearest town, 8 miles from the nearest highway, and over a mile from our nearest neighbor. Pigeons won't fly from their home. I do worry about hawks, but I make sure to check the sky very well as well as keep a close watch when he's out. He doesn't fly high, and he stays close the house and the dogs and cats. I've never seen hawks get near that close- but I watch just the same.