Dear Parrots magazine,
Clipping danger
A few months ago I had my Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo’s wings clipped by another parrot owner who appeared to know everything. He did at least trim both sides equally and it did reduce my bird’s ability to fly any distance, but I have read a lot about wing clipping and am desperately regretting I ever got it done, even though I was told this would make him safe from escape, but that was not the case.
My eldest daughter was home at the time and as she understood like me, that it was safe, she witnessed that was not correct. She had opened our patio door thinking it was safe, but Barney flew straight out into the garden. Luckily enough as a housebound bird, he wasn’t as fit as a wild counterpart and only made about 40 yards when he was clearly puffed out. I hope this is a warning to many others who think clipped birds are safe.
My view is that birds should be kept fully flighted, which I think is much safer as I would never open doors or windows if he was out flying in the room.
Brenda Sullivan, West Midlands