I'm going to let Sky's wings grow out, but I am going to start working on recall right away. Or should I hold off training him recall until he's fully flighted? I wont intentionally take him out without a harness, but if he escapes, at least he'll know recall and I can get him back easier. Lots of patience, I know. Training him to fly down to me from a tree or something will be hard, so advice is needed.

I don't think Sky was allowed to fledge before they clipped him. When he tries to fly right now, he sinks. It's like he doesn't understand he can go forward. His wings flap up and down, not the circular movement that gives birds forward flight.

I'm getting one of those aviator harnesses in a few days. I'm also getting another baby ringneck in a couple months. (YAY) I'm going to allow this new guy to be fully flighted, too, as well as training recall. I'm going to get this guy an aviator also. My plan is that if I can't get Sky to like his aviator, and if the baby does, I could use the new baby to show Sky that the harness is a good thing. I've heard parrots learn well from watching others, being that they are flock oriented and all. I'm getting a clicker in a little bit, to aid in general training.

What are your opinions? Am I being too ambitious? I've read of the discussions of clipping vs flighted, so I hope I made the right decision, here.

Anyone know of good recall training sites out there?

My husband thinks it's a bad idea, but I'm trying to do the best for Sky. He's just worried about Sky flying out an open door. I want Sky to be able to do something all birds were meant to do that's all. Wish me luck on convincing him. Very Happy

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading!

I wouldn't be too intense about training until he gets his wings under him. You can certainly encourage him to come to you for treats etc, but watch that he doesn't become frustrated because of his inability to maneuver.

Since my birds are all flighted, I applaud your decision, but just be aware that it is your responsibility to keep him safe. The world we live in is very different from the one they are wired for. He needs to learn about windows, and you need to address whatever hazards he might encounter. The kitchen can be a very dangerous place, for either a flighted or clipped bird, and you will need to develop a system with doors that open to the outside. There cannot be an open door, period. My policy is that the front door is dead-bolted when the birds are out. If someone comes to the front door, they will have to wait. The rear door, which is down a long and dark hallway, is left unlocked because they avoid going into that "tunnel", but I still stay vigilant. If someone absolutely has to go outside while the birds are out of their cages, the back door is it, and I always take inventory to make sure someone isn't shoulder riding. You'd be surprised how easy it is to forget that you have a bird on your shoulder! Inside doors can be hazardous as well. Birds like to perch on them when they're open, and can be badly injured if someone closes the door. The ceiling fan is disabled for obvious reasons.

Really, these precautions (and others) are nothing more than what should be taken whether your birds are flighted or not, but they become even more important now. Be watchful, and be aware that there will be some scary moments. There is always risk involved. The reward is seeing the look of utter satisfaction when they discover that they have the freedom to move as they were intended, and their personality just blossoms (note: this can be challenging as well).

Thank you so much for the reply! Sky already approaches me for treets. When he's being held by someone he isn't familiar with, he always tries to fly to me. I kinda think for that reason he'd make a good recall candidate, cuz he thinks I'm mommy.

One thing I've been doing already with the mirrors and windows is taking him to them and letting him tap is beak against them, so he knows they're hard. Is this adequate or are there better ways of showing birds mirrors/windows?

Kira this thread has a lot of helpful information for safety; Safe Flying

There is a Recall group on Yahoo. I will try to find the site for you and PM the details.

My guys have been very adept at figuring out the windows, and only initially had a couple of close calls with them. About the only other thing you can do is use curtains or shades or some sort of netting at first to protect him until he learns. I don't think Quito ever hit a window once. Tausi did a few times, but more because he hadn't learned how to maneuver and land well. He knew the window was there, but would sort of brush against it and flutter to the floor because he couldn't figure out how to turn and go somewhere else instead. He wasn't allowed to fledge as a baby, and it took him a surprisingly long time to really get his wings.

I personally think one of the best sites out there on recall training is by Chris Biro. Here is the link: wingsatliberty.com

On the left side of that site's page you will see a menu of options. Click on the Articles Tab and that will open offering the option to review articles on Freeflight. Click the Freeflight tab. You will then be taken to a series of articles on recall training by Chris Biro. It's an excellent resource for anyone considering recall training. You might also want to consider joining Biro's freeflight group on yahoo. I think he gives you the link to that group in the page with the index to his articles. Good luck!

I agree with not pushing the recall until he is more adept at flying. Let him learn, toss him about then go at it. RE doors - make it a house rule, if the bird is out the door does not open unless someone is holding him. Make a point to have you and yours admonish each other whenever this rule is breached and
you'll soon find it habitual.

People like to say that it is a personal choice but I'd suggest that everything we do is a personal choice, from treating our loved ones well to robbing banks. Choice != right. You've made the right choice just be sure to be to be mindful of what it means.

OTOH you have a smaller bird and I think that choosing not to clip the little fellas brings a lot more necessary care and attention. Be mindful of the kitchen, it should be off limits. The same goes for the bathroom. My suggestion would be to have a place where red flags should go off if the bird isn't there. Those little guys have a greater propensity for being stepped on, doors shut on them, etc than the bigger, more visible birds. I used to work in an animal hospital many years ago and remember a small puppy that wanted desperately to be with its owner. It jumped into the car in their garage as they were slamming the door. It was pretty heartbreaking watching the results. Since your bird has more mobility make sure you are aware of its whereabouts at all times. A bird is a lot more fragile than a puppy.

Two thumbs up for your decision.

EDIT - Think about something like this WindowAlert Stops Birds flying into windows

EDIt 2 - Your husband and you have to be on the same page when it comes to the responsibility that your choice involves. More pet issues crop up when one person in a relationship doesn't care as much or disagrees. Chaco ended up with us because his previous owner's wife hated hm and the guy loved him. It's taken about 9 months to get Chaco to stop screaming 'Bad bird, you are a bad, bad bird' in a high pitched female voice. With birds I think its very important that everyone be on the same page or its a disaster waiting to happen. Even if your husband disagrees make sure he understands the requirements.

Our Budgies do a limited version of recall - as we never intend to try this outside.

When you said your bird flew to you from your friend I can say that as a family we've had a lot of fun with training our birds, working together or taking turns. Our birds have just loved it & after a few weeks of trying it we saw big changes in their attitude. I think, quite simply that we were spending time in a quality way & the bird showed us how much he loved the fun attention.

I know your husband will be as pleased as my family has been at the triumphs. It is kind of like letting your kids try something for the first time. It has to be done carefully and with lots of support. Remind him that they can get away clipped but it is best if the bird has training so he can respond to you in an emergency - like you would train your kids or dog.

I wish you all the best & feel free to share your triumphs and your frustrations. I kept a journal & was so happy to see big rewards by month 2. It all depends on you - when you feel it is not going well - just walk away & try another day.

In our case training went better for our mature bird and slower for our younger one - so you never know who's going to be the star. & over time everyone around here walks out of rooms looking back or walking backwards so as to make sure our birds aren't following. We also use our sliding door screen even when they are in their cages - it no longer feels right to have the doors open.

First off...your ringie is gorgeous!

Second...I wouldn't take Prinny, my IRN, outdoors and try to do recall with him. There are too many hawks and other predators that could make a meal out of him while he is flying.

I do let him have his wings after the moult and clip only a few so he can glide but not enough to rise too high...usually only the first few feathers. And I do a 'quill clip' on him as well...I clip the few feathers to the end of the 'colored' part. This way the ends aren't rubbing against his sides.

I wish you well with your training venture. I am sure you will do what you feel is best for your baby.
For me, I have been training, not only my birds but my dogs as well.
You will get to a point where you will know if you can trust the pet you train to not take off or not. Just be carefull till you figure this out.
I have 2 dogs, one I trust implicitly, the other I am not to sure of.
The same with my birds. I have had 2 of which I know wouldn't go anywhere, the other I am still trying to figure.

Cheers
Sue, Peggy and Pi.