upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

Hi,

I bought a budgie from the pet store and have had her for over a month, making her about 3 months old. Her vet checker her and said she is healthy. She is friendly and doing great with me but she can't fly. Is that normal? Is it possible they cut her wings too short? She crashes to the ground everytime she has tried to fly. I try to sit on the ground when I hold her so she doesn't crack any ribs but it's not always that easy to stop her from crashing. She can't even go a few inches to get back into her cage from the arm of my couch and I'm getting worried.

About what age should they be comfortable flying? Maybe not flying up but enough to coast towards the ground. For safety reasons I like them to have enough wing length to coast down.

Thanks!

Did you ask for them to clip her wings?
If so did you ask for a cosmetic clip or a no flight at all type clip?
If she came this way does she have french molt and has no flight feathers?

They can fly before they are fully weaned.

You have not provided a pic of your bird so we can not see what you are talking about. Yes there is a "butch clip" where enough flights can be cut so the bird can not fly at all - until it molts out these "damaged" feathers.

Sorry, she came this way so I have no idea how they clipped her. You mention they could have given her a butch cut and they would "molt" out, not sure what that means but it sounds like in time her feathers will grow in. I don't have a picture to post but I will work on that as soon as I can.

Molt-when feathers fall out and are replaced with new ones. Her cut feathers will eventually fall out. Then new ones will grow in their place. It may take 6 months to a year for all them to grow new. She will probably be able to fly before she gets all the new ones in.

Can you post a pic of her showing her wings as she holds them against her body and maybe one where you spread out one of her wings. This way we can see what you see and tell you if she had a severe wing trim (butch cut) or if she may have french molt.

Kerry