Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ub!acsu.buffalo.edu
From: fleming@acsu.buffalo.edu (christine m fleming)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: INDOOR: Wing clipping
Keywords: clipping, safety, happiness...
Message-ID: <58175@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Date: 6 Feb 91 17:53:30 GMT
References: <2120008@hppad.waterloo.hp.com> <7022@fs2.cam.nist.gov>
Sender: news@acsu.Buffalo.EDU
Organization: RITCSH Groupies Annon., Inc.
Lines: 40
Nntp-Posting-Host: lictor.acsu.buffalo.edu


>Various books and pet stores have different opinions on clipping the
>wings of parrots and other cage birds. This sounds like a topic that
>should have generated heated discussion in the past. If so, does 
>anyone have a summary? If not, feel free to comment. On general
>principles, it seems a practice to avoid, but perhaps there are
>convincing reasons.

MOST and practically ALL books/magazines/etc. tell you TO keep your
bird's wings clipped. This is for safety reasons: ie.: your bird could
fly out an open window and never come back, he could fly into a closed
window and never recover, etc. 

I have mixed feelings on the subject myself. 2 of my 3 birds are
UNclipped. Since they are so small, and because i live in a complex in
which they would have NO chance of getting outdoors, they do what they
want. They were clipped once and they never stopped trying to fly.
(They were sad as far as i can tell...) But, these two birds came from
another home, and had never been groomed/handled in their lives. They
sit on fingers and shoulders now, and that much affection from them was
hard won and is appreciated. 

The other bird has had CLIPPED wings for all his life. He is larger,
and if he had full wings, would CRUISE. He's sort of a clutz, and i
would expect him to bump into walls and whatnot if he went flying. So,
unless i get another (larger) place where he has less chance of coming
to harm, he will stay clipped.

If you have a larger bird you may wish to keep him clipped for
saftey's sake. OR, some keep them "half-clipped" because the bird
becomes lethargic without the exercise flying provides.  
The list goes on and on, pro and con.

Yes, some have heated opinions on the subject: the "I could never wound
the beauty and NATURE of my birds" and the "You are a FOOL if you do
not clip your bird, and he may get HURT" schools are out there. A path
between the two (like in most things) is best. 

...jones
--