This week I've noticed an improvement in Winston's flight skills! He's had the basics of turning and landing down for awhile now, but this week I notice more speed and agility - more figure 8's and dips and such. He's still leary of turning corners between rooms, but he's beginning to try that more and more. And flying down from higher up and in a short distance is still on his list of needed improvements. He still tires out much more quickly than Jerry does, and is not nearly as agile and graceful as Jerry is, but he's improving.

OH i am soo glad.

sami the no flyer here due to clipped wings. is able to go up and then down but limited to going straight out ... but that doesnt stophim.. he just goes where joey is...

i had sami on my head this morning and no camera by the time I would found it and taken picture sami would a been gone...........lolmaybe next time...........

Once Sami's flights gradually grow in you'll see fast improvements. Jerry was previously clipped and he improved greatly once his flights started coming in. I actually thought that Winston would be a pro flier by this time, I've been surprised at how gradual his stamina-buildup has been - it's been a real eye-opener as far as what it takes to build up muscle strength and flight skills. He started flighted but he was caged for most likely his whole life (one year from what I know). He's a decent flier now, but not great by any means. Still looks like a novice compared to Jerry.

Great news about Winston. I remember that Laker improved every month with some new achievement - then we tried recall in December & he really improved with interaction. The recall helped us get closer & my husband & i had a fun time working with him. All the extra flying made him stronger of course.

How are his feet? - they must be getting stronger too? Do you think he's lost any weight with all this flying? One thing i noticed over time was Laker's body shape changed. His chest got bigger & his belly got slimmer.

Oh Sami is adorable & Joey too - with him working so much he will have a good chance at being strong enough to fly when his flights come in. Laker used to beat his wings like he was going 100miles an hour, while holding onto his rope perch - it was the funniest thing. This was when we first got him & he wasn't allowed out of the cage except for short periods. When he finally got out more he had to build up his stamina - it took months. Rio has tons of stamina.

That's great news Sarah! The other day I decided to test Ollie's downward flying skills. I sat almost directly below her hoopball with a nut. I swear she divebombed to my hand- flew almost completely vertical and landed perfectly. It's just amazing to witness their skills and confidence levels change as they get more and more comfortable with it.

Overall his feet have improved a bit since he first came home, but no big improvements lately that I can notice. Sometimes upon an abrupt landing he'll stumble a little with his footing but he doesn't crash at all. Still puts that back shorter toe forwards when perching sometimes as well.

I haven't been able to weigh him since he doesn't step up yet, but I am very curious as to how much he weighs (versus the 44 grams at his initial vet visit). His chest does seem to be getting bigger/more muscular the stronger he gets - and his diet is greatly improved now and I'm sure that's helped as well. Going just on looks, he looks lean and trim and healthy - not over or under weight. But someday I hope to be able to get him onto a scale regularly to take my own measurements.

That's so cool! Aren't they simply amazing when doing tricks like that! I would love to see a bigger bird like Ollie fly in person - must be quite a sight! Last night Jerry was doing laps around the living room and he started off way up high near the ceiling and then suddenly dipped and swooped way down and nearly skimmed the floor, and came back up for a perfect landing on his boing - my mouth fell open with how graceful he was.

Like Sarah ~ I'd love to see Ollie flying - it must be quite the sight. Does she fly quietly or does she make a lot of noise with her wings? Greys are so wonderful.

that is very good