The Joy of Owning Flighted Parrots

[Michael]

The Joy of Owning Flighted Parrots

Some thoughts about owning flighted parrots, the things I enjoy about it, and some video footage of Truman's flight progress.

[zazanomore]

I think there's something special when a bird decides to fly to you. With Einstein, I can open his cage, call him, and usually he'll fly right to me. Sometimes, when I have the budgies out, and they're exercising their wings, they'll land on me. That actually warms my heart a little, considering they aren't exactly tame.

I love the sound of wings flapping. With the budgies, when they fly, their wings have this very quick sound, which kind of reminds me of a helicopter. Einstein sounds more powerful, and his wing strokes sound as if they come from a much larger bird.

I guess after a lifetime of having birds fly away, it's nice to have them fly to me.

[born2fly]

I love the sound of wings flapping.

I agree, I really like the sound Kili makes when flying just like my Buddy its very specific

[skeetersunconure]

thats really good! truman is doing so awsome!! how did you get them to stay on their perches until you called them? Because that is a problem im having with Skeeter he always wants to fly to me and he usually wont wait that long.

[Michael]

Kili stays cause she used to be clipped so that's a habit. She doesn't waste energy. Truman does jump the gun and come but I not only don't reward him but I don't even let him land on me. So slowly he's learning to wait for it. Doesn't always work but getting better.

Also when I see he's about to go, I recall him so he'd get used to hearing his name being called when he's already coming. But I do not call him if he already took flight, just if he looks ready to go.

[Keidiek]

Wow, your birds are really well trained! Nana flies back to me on command, but only when she's in the same room. You should be careful about bottlecaps made of plastic, because it's possible for the microscopic polymers to be swallowed by the bird and this might cause long term illness.