Blaming Parrot

[entrancedbymyGCC]

I have heard that the abrasive perches can end up making the bird's feet sore. I have one in Scooter's cage that is smooth on the top and sandy on the sides, but he doesn't much like.

Back to the original topic, I don't really think the right name for the topic is "Blaming Parrot", it's more like "Blaming Flight". These people aren't being angry with their birds and taking it out on them, but they are locking the door after the horse has run away. I think, whether one favors clipping or does not, one should make the decision knowing full well what the risks are -- there is a tendency for people to only recognize a risk after something bad has happened. I'd urge each person with a flighted bird to consider how they would feel if they let their guard down and the bird was lost or injured due to a flight related accident. To be fair, each person with a clipped bird should consider how they would feel if their bird was lost or injured due to an incident related to not being able to fly well. If you think you'd do things differently were that to happen, best to consider doing things differently now.

[Michael]

I just found flight to be a great example. Biting is another one where people blame the parrot instead of considering what in their behavior encouraged the bite in the first place.

[TheNzJessie]

ill start off the biting factor topic.

we had a lady that came into the pet store with a love bird and said it would not stop biting and she wanted some vet phone numbers who could debeak the love bird so it couldn't bite anymore. what do you think of that? beyond cruel im glad i dont work at a pet store anymore. zoo's are a lot more friendly

[Java]

I stopped by the bird store today and got Kili's nails trimmed cause I couldn't bare my hands getting torn up by razor sharp talons any more...

Off-topic...but...have you tried the Sandyperches? And I do mean that brand (the others aren't as good). My Pi uses his a lot...I have it by his main foodbowl...and I have never had to trim his nails. They're perfect, and dull edges.

For the other two parrots I haven't quite managed to position the perches as well (to get them to use them enough)...but if you can manage it...worth the effort.

Wow, googled sandyperches, and they have a shower thingy I may just buy if I cannot get the hubcap to actually do some of the things on his "to do list" anytime soon. Thanks, I am keeping the link.

[Java]

I don't know. If say my bird got out and almost lost forever, and by some miracle, it came back safe, I might freak and cut her wings, not blaming her but to protect her (some people do feel this protects their bird, as I do, and for me that is one of the reasons I would clip if I do clip in the future). Recently, I go outside on my patio to feed the outside stray cats, and Java is constantly on my shoulder, so she is there when I go there to feed them. Anyway, lately she is flapping her wings a whole lot when I am on patio bending down grabbing bowls to put new water or food out (was clipped when she lived in the pet store and I have not clipped her since I have her, since about April 24th ish). I do not think, gosh I got to get her wings clipped, but think more like, I can’t keep bringing her outside like that, and need to put her in her cage for a bit while I do what I need to do.

I had a ferret 2 years ago (finally bought another one only in December, and then a buddy recently) but this ferret had run of my house. The kids were running in and out of house not watching for ferret (not blaming kids, they are kids, and I was the one who let ferret have run of house, just explaining how this happened). Well, long story short, ferret was nowhere to be found. I finally found him a few days later dead on driveway. I was devestated. My point is, because of this ferret’s horrible demise and the fact I feel horribly guilty still, I do not allow my new ferrets free roam of house like that one did and I am super careful if they are out of the cage for some free play time. So, in essence, they suffer or I am blaming fthe ferrets for behavior ferrets have because of an accident.

Things happen and make you more aware, and I am not sure if I had that happen to me with Java getting away, I would not go clip her wings either impulsively. I think it is just something people do in their minds thinking if they don't have wings, they cannot fly away and I can go grab her/him (has flied to floor a few times recenlty and I freak and go run and grab her before one of my animals gets her) quickly as they will just fly to ground most likely. Because of an ferret accident, I think about all the animals and put into place certain safety nets, so that another accident does not happen. It is human nature, I think anyway.

[TheNzJessie]

have you considered a aviator flight harness? what way you could still bring her outside on your shoulder