I agree with Nate's statement here that the possibilities of accidents for clipped birds are very real. IMO accidents are MORE likely with a clipped bird because they cannot properly steer away to avoid the potential danger - for example clipped birds cannot navigate away (flying upwards, turning, etc.) from a snapping dog, the crevice behind the sofa, a trash can. When Lulu was learning to fly after her flights grew out it took her a long time to master her flight skills. Learning to fly WELL can sometimes take weeks or months, there's a huge learning curve there, especially when the bird has not fledged or has been cagebound for a long time. And just like a human child, some bumps along the way are common. I think that people sometimes see the bumps along the way and get scared and think that clipping with keep the bird "safer." I don't agree.

I don't know what do do. My concern is escape? Can it be prevented?

Yes, escape can be prevented but it's all up to the humans in the household to follow the "rules." When my birds are out, all doors are locked. No one uses the front door if they need to enter/leave - if someone comes to the front door, we simply tell them through the screen door to go around back. Our back door leads into the garage, which is attached to the house. Therefore, there's a buffer zone. No windows should be open when the birds are out.

For my husband and myself, it's easy for us to follow the above rules (and we also never cook while the birds are out). We don't have children, and we generally don't get many visitors or people who are constantly coming and going in and out of the house.

Clipping is a very hard decision to make, and only you can make that based on your household and how well you can be sure that everyone in the household does their part to prevent any escapes. My Jerry came home clipped. We let his wings grow out, and then decided to clip him a few months later - I completely regret that. But I learned from it. I learned how to better train him, and I saw the difference in his confidence level when clipped vs. flighted. I've also seen the very dramatic confidence level in Lulu (she also came home clipped and we let her flights grow out). It took her a long time to really master flying, but she has mastered it now and her confidence has soared.

But also be sure to keep this in mind - clipped birds can escape too. IMO clipping gives a very false sense of security. Most clipped birds can still fly somewhat and if they get outside all it takes is a small gust of wind to carry them further. A clipped bird might not travel the distance that a flighted bird can, but clipped birds would be more susceptible to predators (dogs, for example) because they may not be able to adequately escape. And a clipped bird who winds up high in a tree will be afraid/unable to fly down to you, even if he sees you. Flying down is very hard to do, even with a flighted bird. It takes a lot of skill to master flying down.

Yes it can, but it requires vigilance. All windows must be screened, and when the birds are out, all my outer doors are locked. Anyone comes to the door, they're out of luck. If they really need to get in, then they'll have to wait until I get the birds corralled, and it better be important.

The important thing is, can you control the environment? If there is a Significant Other who isn't really interested or is forgetful, or if you have children in the house, it may not be possible. Keep this in mind as well: Clipped birds can also escape, particularly if they are "shoulder birds". You'd be surprised how many people start out the door, only to realize that they forgot the bird was riding on their shoulder. Once out the door, a spook combined with an unlucky gust of wind can allow a clipped bird to go a long ways. A clipped bird who does manage to get some altitude and land in a tree is not going to be able to get down, either. Even without altitude they can go quite a ways when spooked, possibly right into the street, neighbors yard with dogs, etc.

In my opinion one of the greatest dangers of having clipped birds is complacency. If the bird is clipped, no one worries about what could happen. With flighted birds, you are forced to be aware of what is happening at all times, which is as it should be.

I'm not going to tell you it is perfectly safe to have an unclipped bird. You need to be aware of the possibility that something can happen, no matter how careful you are. Just don't make the mistake of equating clipping with absolute safety either.

Edit: LOL, or you could just skip my post and read Sarah's!

Nate that is too funny, we each hit on pretty much the same points at the same time

Yes escape can be totally prevented. Lock your doors. And lock the bird in his cage before approaching any door.

If unsure what to do never clip. Wait until your sure, imo.

Sarah and Nate said everything perfectly.

Ollie started flying when 5 of her primary's were clipped. Birds with clipped wings can fly. Especially outside...all it takes is a little breeze. When you have a flighted bird, you are constantly aware, and it's very easy to prevent escape. Like the others, all my doors are always locked. Nobody goes in and out of the sliding glass door when Ollie is out.

As to the bird running into walls when flying: it will not happen to a healthy bird who knows the environment who has mastered his/her flight skills. Ollie would never just plow into a wall unless she was suffering from some sort of neurological problem or something.

Sarah said everything perfectly imo. (as always )

We do not clip although all of my birds came home clipped. The experience of letting them grow out their feathers was trying to say the least. It did take some time for them to master flying. But then again all of my birds were never allowed to fledge and therefore had to learn to fly at an older age. Scarlett still has yet to really start flying, we're still waiting on her first molt so she can grow out her flight feathers. And even though mine really weren't good flyers in the beginning we never had any run into walls. We did have some problems with them landing on each others cages which for awhile was an issue but it corrected itself as they got better at landing, because they could choose where to land.

All in all though it has been nothing but rewarding, not only for the birds, but for myself as well. It has given them a confidence and independence that we all love. It's great exercise as well. Really you can't replace that type of exercise for birds. On top of all the big rewards they get from it it is also fun for us to watch them. It's amazing how well they fly and they are non stop entertainment. Seriously I love it. And I love seeing them having fun and doing what birds do best.

Oh and btw I hadn't heard the big news about Baxter! Sorry it didn't work out but I think that is good you recognized that before he came home. He is still so young that he will find a great home in no time. And congrats on your new little girl!! We need some pics!!

Here she is. Don't know if I shared these with everyone. She really is a sweetie!

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What a cutie! I love the middle pic, looks like she has lots of energy! And what a cool aviary!