Not long ago the matter of clipping came up in a different topic and unfortunately it started turning into an argument, so I asked that it be dropped for then. I am afraid that some people think that I was trying to keep the subject from being discussed at all, which was not my intent. My intent was to stop the argueing before it turned as nasty as it has done in the past.
This is considered to be a hot topic and not just here on this forum, this is not often discussed on many forums because peoples get frustrated and start insulting each other which really has no place on a forum, in my opinion. I do not think that anyone can say anything while being rude that is as effective or more effective than saying what they need to say in a calm, civil and courteous manner.
The matter of clipping a birds wings is a very important topic and it needs to be discussed openly and honestly and probably much more often than it is. Please feel free to tell us what you think about clipping a birds wings and the reasons for your thoughts on this touchy subject. The only thing that I am asking is that you be civil and courteous to each other, after all we are all here trying to learn from each other and to do what is in the best interests of our birds.
I will take the first step in beginning this conversation.
I do not believe that a bird should have its wings clipped unless there is a valid medical reason for it. Such a reason would be a bird that is blind as it would be dangerous for it to fly since it can not see where it is going or any obstacles that may be in its way. I believe that it is better to make the environment that we have our birds in safe for the bird to live as naturally as possible for it rather than to try to make the bird safe for the environment. By this I mean that it is better to put screens on our windows and curtains or stickers or even perches in front of glass doors so that the bird does not fly out of a window or fly full speed into a glass door because the bird can't see the glass rather than clipping the birds wings to prevent the same thing from occurring.
A birds ability to fly is tied into every major system in its body beginning with its respiratory system as the movement of flapping its wings help the birds lung and air sacs to inflate and deflate properly something that we accomplish with our diaphragm which the bird does not have. The same strong muscles that allow the bird to sustain its flight are some of the same muscles that are used for the bird to lay its eggs. The coordination that is required for the bird to see and adjust its speed and trajectory as well as when it needs to do these things is partly a mental function and it helps the bird to make decisions even when it is not flying and by this I mean that it ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently is directly affected by the ability to fly and solving the problems it encounters in flight. Flying is the only effective means that the bird has to rid itself of excess hormones in its bloodstream and the act of flying also appears to play an important role in copeing with and in relieving the stresses of its everyday life. Last but not least of my reasons for not clipping a birds wings is that it is the only effective way that a bird has to remove itself from dangerous situations.
I believe that this is enough to start the ball rolling on this subject. So lets have fun and discuss this in a courteous manner, please.