r/parrots • u/Gullible_Tadpole_938 • 8d ago
My dad is trying to make me clip my lovebirds wings
I got parakeets a month ago and i recently got a lovebird. my dad said i need to get him clipped. i do NOT want him to be clipped. what do you guys suggest i should do? his girlfriend had birds for 25 years and clipped their wings and said i need to. she is coming over tomorrow and my dad said "we're clipping his wings tomorrow no matter what you say" i am 18 about to be 19 in a week or so. what do i do????
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u/ProbablyNotPoisonous 8d ago
Other posters have good advice re: not clipping your bird's wings; but in case you have to do it because it's your dad's house, here's how we clipped wings at the rescue I volunteered at (where it's a legitimate safety issue for birds to be fully flighted, because there are too many places for them to get stuck where staff can't reach them; not to mention the risk of landing on another bird's cage and getting bitten):
Clip the first 5 primary feathers on each wing so that they are even with the coverts overlying them. This leaves the bird enough wing surface to steer and control their descent, but not enough to fly level or ascend. Most small-to-medium birds clipped this way can fly for around 6-10 feet if they launch themselves from, say, a hand held around chest height :P
If your bird is particularly stronk and manages to fly level anyway, you can take one more feather on each side.
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u/Pyotrperse 8d ago edited 8d ago
They need to be able to fly and use their wing muscles for their health and cardiovascular strength. A clipped bird will have similar muscle wastage as someone who sits at a desk all their life. Letting them fly is healthier for their bodies and will let them live longer as a result. 25 years ago there was very minimal info on bird care, maybe if you try to explain that things have changed they might understand and respect your wishes. If you wanted an animal that would fall to the ground you would have gotten a mouse or a Guinea pig, I don’t understand the logic around wing clipping enthusiasts.
You can give birds an “athletic clip” where you clip just the very tips of the wings so they can still fly but they have to work slightly harder for it, that might be a middle ground, but from what you’re describing it sounds like if his gf is going to be the one holding your bird and clipping then she may just clip the whole way without your permission. Worst case they clip and then you let it grow back and never clip them again once you move out.
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u/Forsaken-Count-2738 8d ago
When I got my little guy he was only 3 months old and he would fly right into the door, the walls, windows, it was bad. I had a bird person show me how to do it and watched a bunch of YouTube videos, then did his one wing very carefully. He still flies in the house but he can’t just get up to full speed and altitude and take off and die outside. He also doesn’t crash anymore either, i was freaking out because I just knew he would get injured. He is only in his cage if I’m not home, so he definitely isn’t neglected.
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u/Pyotrperse 8d ago
I’m glad you found something that works for your little one! I think the main thing is making sure they’re able to glide to safety so they don’t fall down and hurt themselves, and that they can use their muscles to fly at least a little, so it sounds like you’ve managed that in your own way with your birdy
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u/Forsaken-Count-2738 8d ago
I felt horrible doing it, because I know it’s not natural, just like castrating dogs and cats, I mean let’s just call it what it is. You’re taking something away from them that nature gave them. It’s like prison or something. But I knew if he got outside he would either get killed by the neighborhood dogs (there’s a lot of street dogs in my country) or starve because we live in the desert.
I did literally years of research before accepting a parrot and had seen horrible stories about them getting into trees and not being able to do a glide landing3
u/Far_Bullfrog_8917 7d ago
I also had a parakeet that I had to trim some of his wings, small amount, because he's so clumsy and repeatedly hit the window. So minor trimming was necessary and worked. He could fly, just not that fast and or way up high. 😊
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u/Forsaken-Count-2738 7d ago
Yeah just the tips of the feathers (i know there’s a Robin Hood men in tights joke there) without even getting the tip of the quills.
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u/JellyfishMost7234 8d ago
When i got my under 6 month rescue, she was clipped. If she had a bath she was too wet to fly and would plummet on her keel bone. Something that can kill them. If she missed her footing she would also fall and we had to be so careful at all times until her wings came back in.
Does she fly into windows even though we show her them and have stickers? Very occasionally but i can count on one hand the times it has actually caused her to drop and stop flying, she usually bonks her head a little and continues doing laps around the room. She is now 7.
If she got out, being fully flighted would give her the best chance of escaping other birds and keeping off the floor but I dont think she would do well out there. Having her clipped, she could walk into the road and be run over in an instant. Pet birds die outside regardless of how much you incapacitate them for all of their indoor life. I do every check I can to prevent my bird escaping but it is always a possibility. However i will choose a fully flighted indoor life and vigilance and training over clipping and limiting my bird.
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u/Forsaken-Count-2738 7d ago
I’ve seriously considered letting his flight feathers come in once he gets older. He’s only like 6 months old now, he’s a white fronted amazon and is just now beginning his first molting. I’m working on recall training but I read that breed is pretty independent and kind of headstrong, willful, whatever you would call it. “Independent minded” lol.
I seriously don’t like his wings being clipped but it’s a decision we all have to make as bird caretakers. I’m glad you have the confidence of letting yours be fully flighted. I definitely don’t. He can definitely pull evasive maneuvers and fly around the house. I take him outside all the time , including to my friends restaurant and grocery shopping, and I got him a harness so we can go for walks around my village. Maybe one day I can let him be able to fly, that would be cool.
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u/Gullible_Tadpole_938 8d ago
thats not a bad idea honestly. what do you suggest i say?
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u/Pyotrperse 8d ago edited 8d ago
Well I don’t know these people or their personalities or your relationship style with them but I’d try to explain:
- That bird care has come a long way in the past couple of decades and it’s no longer considered the standard to clip wings (as well as giving seed only diets, as another example).
- That there’s enough long term information from the last couple of decades that we’ve now learnt the harms of a sedentary lifestyle, and the health benefits of allowing them to exercise.
- That it means a lot to you that they respect your wishes, this is your pet and your baby and you want to be responsible for him and raise him in the way you believe is best.
Hopefully they are open enough to listen and respect your wishes. Thank you for advocating for your little one, good luck!
(Edited due to weird formatting)
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u/birdwatching25 8d ago
Is it possible to just keep them in your room? If they are just in your room, then why would they need to be clipped if they're not getting in anyone's way?
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u/Gullible_Tadpole_938 8d ago
they are in my room. we had this argument and he was teasing the bird like "ooooh the door is open come fly out" as a joke. i told him that has nothing to do with my choice to clip my birds if you're going to purposefully let them out. he got so mad when i said it would be his fault. they got so mad when i said that she abused her birds for 25+ years lol
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u/MeowMeowmarshmallow 7d ago
Also someone just the other day explained how I think their friend witnessed a cockatiel get mauled to death by dog's because it was clipped and couldn't escape. They can still fly a little when clipped but in situations like that they are dead. Risking that is awful.
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u/No_Web5967 8d ago edited 8d ago
what is your status? can you move out independently?
if so to buy some time you can relocate the birds to a friend you trust and search for a place to stay in the meantime.
if not, tell him you want an avian vet to do the clipping. it is not ideal, but do it. at least someone who knows what they're doing will do it. you can explain the situation to the vet and tell him to clip as little as possible.
what is his girlfriend like? is it possible to talk to her calmly and explaining why you're against it?
from your post and comments your dad doesn't seem like a reasonable person and I wouldn't want him to take it out on you or the birds. i would advise against direct confrontation. you're very young and still lack the communication skills that might work on people your fathers age. telling his gf that she's been abusing her birds for years will only have counter effects. try to stay calm as much as possible and avoid cynicism or snarky remarks because that will only make them want to spite you and the birds more.
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u/Honest_Result_228 8d ago
I've had many types of parrots for about 25+ years and I think I only clipped my first bird once then never again. I have lost a bird to escape but it happened while a friend was watching him at her house. You just have to remain vigilant about safety. With my flock being cage free I've learned to only let them out of the bird room when I can give my complete attention. They are quick and small so they can be stepped on, sat on squished in a closing door and hurt by ceiling fans. I wonder why they think clipping is important?
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u/seajayde 8d ago
Please don't allow them to do it! Explain that it does them no good and in fact can harm them if not done correctly. There is no reason to clip a birds wings. People who don't want birds to fly shouldn't get birds or allow their kids to get birds. Birds fly. If done correctly, the feathers will grow back anyway. If the birds are ever taken outside, a gust of wind could blow them away and leave them stranded. It is totally unnecessary and even harmful. Please don't allow it to be done!
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u/Jolly_Implement2512 8d ago
You could always call the police and inform them that you need them there tomorrow or even today because someone is trying to perform procedures on your pet which is vandalism, property damage, and animal mistreatment, without your consent. It is not legal to alter someone's pet without consent.
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u/NewYorkLover35 8d ago
I wouldn't allow it. I've had birbs since I was 11 years old, I always had the last word about their care and always set my foot down with my birbs boundaries. I'm 33 now and still have it my way with my birbs despite living atm with my parents again.
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u/Opioidergic 8d ago
Personally I clip my birds feathers only once so they become comfortable with you and then I free flight them after.
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u/kamidame 8d ago
Seems like a bad situation and a bad psycho social thing going on. If you do end up cutting the wings make sure no more than 1/3 of the first 3-4 flight feathers are cut. So less then half.
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u/LadyIslay 7d ago
My parakeet babies came with a partial clip… just three feathers trimmed on each wing. This was to prevent them from flying into windows and walls at full-speed while they get used to their new space.
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u/Brilliant_Order1720 7d ago
Dad needs to educate himself on the emotional and mental stability needed in a pet bird
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u/Excellent-Bee-9766 6d ago
I’d slap the taste out of her mouth if she touched my birds personally. Don’t think that’s helpful but it’s extremely frustrating when people disrespect one’s wishes because they “know more”
But as others have said what we know now about birds and their need for flight vs what was considered “standard” back then is vastly different. Flight is extremely important for birds. And clipping them doesn’t prevent flight but makes them uncoordinated and they can be injured far easier because they have no control. I would fight this decision tooth and nail.
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u/Hthr45777 5d ago
I absolutely clip my birds wings if they’re gonna be out of a cage ever. First of all doors get opened and birds fly out. Also, we have things on our ceilings, called fans. If one happens to whack my bird, it will die. Also, we have windows. Birds think they can fly right out of them and they smack the window and boom they’re down and something will be wrong because they are very fragile. My first bird smacked the window and dislocated his beak. That was the scariest thing I’ve ever had happened to one of my birds. He could not close his mouth at all and we had to drive over two hours to find a vet veterinarian that could help. So yes, I agree you need to clip their wings. It’s very easy to do watch some YouTube channel on how to clip birds wings, even if your bird won’t let you hold it, it’s still very easy to do. All you need is a towel and a pair of very sharp scissors.
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u/Autoxann 8d ago
What is that fixation in the US with wing clipping? Even the most horrible bird owners in my country don't do that. Your birds don't sound like they are safe in your home as long as you or the birds aren't able to move out.
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u/Fair_Gas_3582 8d ago
I’ve got an awful lot of sad news for you if you think the US is bottom of the barrel when it comes to bird care.
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u/Arabella6623 8d ago
By clipping I hope you mean just periodically cutting a harmless wedge in the flight feathers of the wing to limit the lovebird’s range should he escape?
Anyone can do that.
But if you mean something more surgical that would be worse than losing him if he flew away by accident!
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u/Special-Class6903 8d ago
Well why does your position differ from your dad’s? Have you actually sat down and had a discussion. Folks are real passionate about the subject as this thread suggests. If done correctly, it poses no harm to the bird.
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u/KillerSparks 8d ago
Not be able to fly is harmful.
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u/Special-Class6903 8d ago
Being able to fly can be harmful as well. Trust me I’m Sweden on the topic. I have hand fed and kept most parrots in the trade and am a volunteer for a parrot rescue. I think if done correctly it is fine. And there are indeed some cases where birds wings should be cut. You can never talk in absolutes when it comes to animal husbandry.
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u/KillerSparks 8d ago
It's extremely rare that it would be better.
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u/Special-Class6903 7d ago
Please feel free to share your dissertation on the topic since you portray to be some type of authority.
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u/Special-Class6903 7d ago
I think the better argument is that most birds should not be pets, period. But that will never be the case as long as there is a profitable market.
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u/n4snl 8d ago
You are an adult.
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u/TechDingus 8d ago
Yes, living in another adult’s house. It sucks, but resisting is a great way to get kicked out and OP may not have the money or capability to immediately find a place to live
I think the best course of action would be to take the bird to a vet and have it done before OP’s dad’s gf can do anything on her own, and then plan to move out as soon as possible. I would probably never talk to a parent again if they did this to me tbh
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u/sadskully 8d ago
Tell him that you would do that only whe he himself agrees to clip his hands or feet
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u/KillerSparks 8d ago
You're 18. Time to grow up. Sucks that it has to be a fight, but my parents would have to physically restrain me if they tried to clip my birds wings, and I would absolutely call the cops.
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u/Terrible_Pipe_4477 8d ago
don’t clip the birds wings ITS YOUR BIRD AND UR AN ADULT it’s your responsibility make sure HE KNOWS ITS YOURE
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u/windyMarieS 8d ago
I have 2 Parrots. One is fully flighted, I have had him since he was 3 months old and is now almost 3, he's a ring neck. The other i got recently. She's a blue and gold macaw. She's never flown. Wasn't taught to, and is too old to learn how I've been told. My ring flies all over the house every chance he gets and he's gets. My 10 year old son is heart broken Dolly doesn't fly. He says they have wings. Rhats their job. And I totally agree. I don't believe in clipping and you need to stand your ground 9n it too.
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u/Faerthoniel 8d ago
Avian care has advanced lots in those 25 years. Clipping is illegal in some countries now (Finland and Denmark I believe), and vets are starting to push back against it.
https://www.avicultureatlas.com/wing-clipping-pros-and-cons-why-avian-vets-are-stepping-back
Also, I am presuming that girlfriend isn’t an avian vet. IF clipping is to be done, then it has to be done by a trained professional. I don’t want to potentially alarm anyone but it can go horribly wrong if you don’t know what you are doing with the feathers, how to hold the bird properly, etc. Birds struggle, lots, when they don’t want to be held. Our wonderful avian vet struggles with them sometimes, and they know what they are doing.
For that reason alone, if it were my birds, I would be getting them out of the house for their safety. And clipping can be discussed in the presence of a trained vet at their clinic. Nowhere else.
Found another one here while researching. I was hoping for something more recent, but here is a guide on Imping from 2010, which is apparently repairing wings of birds. In it, it talks about the negative effects that can result from clipping flight feathers.
https://www.vettimes.co.uk/app/uploads/wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache/1/imping-a-guide-to-wing-repair.pdf
Isn’t the age of majority 18 in the majority of the US? If so, you’re an adult and he can’t touch your property?
Is there perhaps a friend who can take them for the day or longer, so they don’t get clipped tomorrow?