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Are there techniques for clipping wings with only one person? I'm just myself and have taken him to the vet to have wing trims. I do his nails on my own and would like to do wings as well. I can't get him into a towel on my own, and he doesn't just play dead on his back Obviously training would be involved, but are there other "poses" that work successfully when you're clipping solo?

_Teri

Many years ago, Liz Wilson came to my home and taught me how to do 1-woman wing clips on all my birds. For a few years afterward, I had good success with greys, macaws, 'zons, and my rowdy Moluccan 'too, plus many smaller birds. But then I began letting everybirdie grow out their wings and learn to fly again, safely inside, of course. I've gotten too rusty to talk you through Liz's technique, but I think she still does phone consultations if you want to see if that would work for you.

Another idea is use of Barbara Heidenreich's videos: http://www.goodbirdinc.com/parrot-store.html Barbara has long been a trainer for Steve Martin, teaching zoo animals who're much too large and wild for "toweling" to participate in their own necessary vet care. Her techniques (and her colleague Susan Friedman's) are all based on only positive reinforcement that follows a step-by-step progression that can often be completed in far less time than you might think. Birds love learning!

Good luck!

Thanks for the ideas! I've toyed with purchasing Barbara's Training for the Vet exam dvd, so maybe I should just do it! In the past I've heard of Liz Wilson, and I'll look her up. Thank you! Yes, my grey goes from clipped to flighted and back again, over and over. There are pros and cons to both ways for sure.