Darwin Can Fly!

[Druidus]

Darwin (My african grey) has finally learned to fly! Her breeder had clipped her wings too early and she never learned to fly. Her wing muscles atrophied, and by the time I bought her, she couldn't fly if she had known how. A while after purchasing her, I decided to try to help her learn to fly, as flight is important for a grey to be secure and confident in herself. I would slowly swing her back and forth, making her flap her wings, which, over time, and diligent exercise, everyday, gave her back her strength. Yesterday, she was perched on the couch (we were watching tv), and I went into the kitchen to get a snack. While in the kitchen, I heard her squawk, and then lots of wings flapping. I was scared she had fallen off, but to my surprise, she flew around the corner and landed on my head, using my hair as a good place to grip! I was so surprised, and so happy! She's still not good at landing, turning, or going up, but I think with practice, she could become as good as any african grey! :woohoo::woohoo:

And the vet said she'd never fly... :149:

 

[Jaymes]

I'd be very careful, Druidus... my friends have had far too many close calls with birds that don't have their wings clipped, and my little conure got hurt once when he got startled and flew into a wall.

 

[Druidus]

I'm going to clip her again, but I need her to learn how to fly. It's important for african greys to know how to fly, otherwise they are prone to excessive fear and insecurity. Darwin is a mass of phobias right now, afraid of movement (sometimes even mine), afriad of sounds, and afraid of anything that differs from the norm.

If she could fly, she'd be more confident and self-assured. It helps them think that they could escape if there was trouble. Greys are partial ground feeders, and that's why flight is so important to them.

 

[Unedited]

I don't get it. Wouldn't any progress she made now pretty much be ruined after she got clipped? I mean, as soon as she finds out she can no longer fly, wouldn't she be feared again?

 

[Druidus]

No, no, she won't be able to fly, but she'll be much less clumsy. When I clip her, I dpn't clip all her flight feathers. Only enough to keep her from going upwards. She'll be able to fly forward for about 6-8 feet. Once she's not so scared, I'll be able to work the phobias out of her slowly, before clipping her wings again.

 

[michel]

We had an African grey when I was little - he was such a mimic! His favourite screech was "Put your toys away Michel!"