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I have one more question. My cockatiel adopted me when she flew up to me while I was birdwatching, and long story short, no one claimed her and she's now my wonderful housemate.

She was flighted when I got her, and she flew well - didn't bump into things, was very graceful dodging various obstacles in my house. I lived with her like that for a while before having someone do a light clip on her wings (she was hanging out on a dining room chandelier and trying to chew the cord). That was enough to tame her a little more. I decided to get her clipped one more time, and this time she doesn't have much flight at all - I just took her out of her cage and she's trying to fly to places she can't get up to, and is tumbling a bit on landing - it's not the graceful landing that she had when she had a light clip. How do I make sure she doesn't hurt herself - will she learn her capabilities quickly? I'm afraid of her hurting herself.

Sorry for the late reply, I could read the posts on my phone, but replying is difficult.

She will learn quickly that she can no longer fly the same way she did before, but her muscles will build and she will soon be able to fly again just like she wasn't clipped, so make sure that all the windows and doors are closed when she is out.

Thanks for asking, Monica. She was clipped correctly - I had it done at an avian vet, because she's still pretty feisty when handled. She has adjusted, as suggested, to having the clip and now is pretty adept at flying most low places or short distances that she wants and knows what she can't do.

I am thinking of letting her wings grow out. I live by myself and she's pretty timid with respect to exploring - she only goes where I've been with her in the house, and none of those places are near outside doors. She seemed much less anxious and more eager to interact when she had full use of her wings. I had gotten the clip done for better bonding and so she wouldn't hang out on my chandelier (where she'd try to chew the cord, the ceiling, and a couple of parts of the fixture. Other than that, the flying wasn't at all problematic - I can figure out a way to prevent her getting on the chandelier, I think.

I know this can be a hot button issue, but my gut feeling is that flighted might be best for Harriet. I have an open mind. We'll see how this stretch with clipped wings goes.

I'm glad she's adjusted, but I hope you'll let her live flighted when her feathers regrow. This is the only country in which it's considered acceptable to cut off a birds' flight feathers. Birds are built for flight and, though our homes are a far cry from the blue sky, a little exercise is better than non IMHO. Because birds are creatures of habit, you might have success keeping her away from that tempting chandelier if, as soon as she's able again to fly to it, you drape it in something that scares her from it. I've used newspapers or blank newsprint in some situations. Since that wouldn't be very pretty, you might get creative and think what you could tolerate seeing around your chandelier for awhile. Maybe some clear plastic that could be taped from the ceiling so it doesn't touch anything hot. Sometimes streamers work b/c their irregular movement seems spooky. Don't know how long you'd need to leave it for her to quit wanting to be there, but I'd guess until you see her find a new favorite place, one that's more suitable.

B/c you live alone and she was previously flighted, I do think it's better to let her fly. That and b/c 'tiel' can fly on little more than memory! With just the slightest regrowth and a spurt of adrenalin, she'll be able to take off. That can be so dangerous -- you'll be thinking she can't fly and open the door just ever so briefly and ... tragedy. Develop safe habits and enjoy watching her swoop around

Bluesbird Exotics wrote:This is the only country in which it's considered acceptable to cut off a birds' flight feathers.

Nope, over here in Oz people clip too and boy, have I seen some butcher jobs done by so called "experts" (petshop staff!)

I hate hearing we have this in common I found a 'tiel in a pet store with all her tail feathers cut off. I qx'd an employee, who giggled about how a new employee did it. WHY would a new employee be told to clip birds w/o supervision??!?!!! Grrrrrrrrr

Oh what!!!! beep beep beep (sorry, but I am swearing behind my computer at the moment ) Unbelievable!!!
Hope you gave her some "kind" advice!