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Free-flying macaw

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Free-flying macaw

Postby Pajarita » Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:24 am

The lack of knowledge about parrots is stunning! In this article, they feature a macaw that "remarkably, does not need a tether and flies freely before returning on command". Nothing remarkable about it. At one year of age, the bird is a baby and is simply not venturing far from its human (parent role) as any baby would do. Wait until the bird is 6 years old and come back and tell me if he returns every time...

https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news ... wn-2538038
Pajarita
Norwegian Blue
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 18701
Location: NW Pa
Number of Birds Owned: 30
Types of Birds Owned: RoseBreasted too, CAG, DoubleYellowHead Amazon, BlueFront Amazon, YellowNape Amazon, Senegal, African Redbelly, Quaker, Sun Conure, Nanday, BlackCap Caique, WhiteBelly Caique, PeachFace lovebird, budgies,
Flight: Yes

Re: Free-flying macaw

Postby Michael » Sat Apr 18, 2020 10:47 am

You hardly ever see freeflight parrots over 5 years old because they either flew away and were lost by that point or the owner realized the inevitable risk and stopped doing it. They are free-willed animals and even if you have 99% success with them coming back, sooner or later instinct, reflex, or circumstances beyond your control will take over and they will fly away. Finding them is entirely a matter of perseverance and luck!

I recommend using a harness as a safety net, an insurance policy. I still advise flying the bird on the harness not like on a chain but like it's freeflight! If you have 50ft of leash, only fly the bird 40ft. If it ventures past 40ft, consider that it flew away and only the existence of the leash stopped it!
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Michael
Macaw
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is male
Posts: 6286
Location: New York
Number of Birds Owned: 3
Types of Birds Owned: Senegal Parrot, Cape Parrot, Green-Winged Macaw
Flight: Yes

Re: Free-flying macaw

Postby Pajarita » Sat Apr 18, 2020 12:13 pm

Exactly right and very much on point, Michael! Even birds taught by professional trainers will fly away once they reach sexual maturity - they need to procreate and, for that to happen, they need to go out 'into the world' to find a mate. A harness with a long tether is the ONLY way to exercise them properly.
Pajarita
Norwegian Blue
 
Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 18701
Location: NW Pa
Number of Birds Owned: 30
Types of Birds Owned: RoseBreasted too, CAG, DoubleYellowHead Amazon, BlueFront Amazon, YellowNape Amazon, Senegal, African Redbelly, Quaker, Sun Conure, Nanday, BlackCap Caique, WhiteBelly Caique, PeachFace lovebird, budgies,
Flight: Yes


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