Aviator Harness Sizes

[marie83]

Guess I'll have to keep him in then. or try the horrible ones with all the clips.

It seemed to be working ok til til I had to cease the training cuz of his wing problem but I never tightened it up fully, only about 75%.

Although I had fully intended to give it a thorough testing indoors first I won't bother risking it now if you deem it unsafe. Thank you Michael, I wish you had seen this before I wasted my cash on a second harness though lol. I Guess thats why the parrot university never replied so i would spend more haha.

[Michael]

Are you SURE the smaller size is impossible small? For Truman, I was having some difficulty with him getting in/out of the head loop cause it's tight but he just got used to it and it's fine. It's just enough so I didn't want to go up a size. Now I haven't seen the smallest one but I would guess that if it's meant for a cockatiel, that it would work on a gcc.

One backup plan for you might be to tighten up the head loop of the bigger one you bought. If you can do some fine stitching or something, you might be able to stitch off some of the collar to shorten it. Of course just try it, maybe it will be acceptable as it is. But I do know that a much bigger Senegal or something could fit in that size. Kili already has more looseness in that than I would like. Truman's is tight but actually a safer and probably more comfortable fit.

One reason getting the bigger one might be better (hope color is same though) is that you could practice the training using that and then go back to the smaller one that barely fits (as long as it is physically possible eventually).

[marie83]

Well it was hard slipping it on with the feather so I stopped just before I got to the widest point of his head and it was still awkward to get off at that point. I dread to think what it would be like against the feathers at the widest point.

Ollie is more than comfortable with loops made with the harness round his neck and them being slid back off, but I do worry if I took the risk and tried the collar fully, if he struggled he would end up really hurt.

There is definitely 100% no way I would ever attempt to get it on my cockatiels, past or present as they have all been bigger than my green cheek.

Not sure if I can tighten the collar myself but i know a man who probably can. I'll give it a go if we ever get to the bottom of Ollies wing pit issues. I don't see why is wouldn't work but I guess it may make the harness feel a bit more bulky to him- better than those uncomfotable looking clips though.

If the harness isn't meant to be I will accept that and move on. It would be a shame not to add the extra enrichment into his life though. We have a travel carrier and a travel cage but neither are really suitable for taking him out and about. The cage is good if I have time to sit outside with him though, just really heavy for me to get it through the stupid door systems these flats have. The carrier is lightweight but doesn't really give much in the way of experience or allow him to get much direct sunlight.

[Michael]

My point is not to just right off the smallest harness completely yet. It looks smaller than it is until you realize all the poofiness of the bird and that it does fit on/off. Again, I am unfamiliar with that specific one but I do know that it's better than it looks. BTW, loosening it up could help too. They're usually too stiff when brand new. "Use" it before putting it on. Stretch it back and forth, run water over it, wrinkle it, possibly even consider throwing it in the wash. When they get softer, they are easier to put on as well.

[Nir]

If extra small is the size they recommend for Senegals (which I think it is), then it is wayyyy too big for gcc. It's a bit loose on Senegal already.

I seen your videos where kili walks right in the collar. Mango cannot do that. My x small is way too tight. Only way to get his head through and out is by forcing it in. Any ideas if avaiator harness makes modified version of it?

[marie83]

The parrot university will custom make harnesses, also the newer versions of some of their harness sizes have slightly bigger collars. Last I heard you need to request the never version though. They are also very good at exchanging them for free even when they harnesses are used according to other people but you would probably have to pay the shipping on your currant one to get the exchange.

[emsy991]

The parrot university will custom make harnesses, also the newer versions of some of their harness sizes have slightly bigger collars. Last I heard you need to request the newer version though. They are also very good at exchanging them for free even when they harnesses are used according to other people but you would probably have to pay the shipping on your currant one to get the exchange.

Oh no, now I am concerned... I just bought a petite for my dusky conure because some of the parrots listed as "x small" are said to be much larger than what she is. She will be bigger than a GCC though. Fingers crossed....

[budgielover]

Does anybody have harness for budgies?

[CSLFiero]

Since we're semi on the topic, i notice parrot wizard doesn't sell the aviator flight line. Conscious choice? Ps, thanks for the book a vids, been tearing through it. I have a b.s. in both psychology and sociology and the language of behaviorism/Skinner is like music to my ears.

[marie83]

Most if not all harnesses don't go small enough for budgies but you can get flight suits. Personally I wouldn't trust their safety as they are held together with velcro I believe. Might be worth some research on the matter though.