Growing Into My Cage

Most birds are sold with clipped wings, which allow the seller to give them a good deal on a cage that will fit the bird. Later, due to whatever reason, the bird ends up with a full set of wings he doesn’t know how to use.  Maybe it’s because the owner wants to see the vibrant plumage of the gold cap’s wing tips that is only visible when long. Or, most often, the owner is afraid of hurting the bird or getting hurt in the process of trying to clip the bird’s wings. Now, the cage that was sold at a deal is no longer the size that will optimally fit the bird. Now what?

This tips off a cycle of bad behavior. If the bird isn’t let out, it gets more and more eager to be out because its wings are aching from not being used (a problem it didn't have before).  In the process of trying to fly (a process that is equivalent to your bird being a fledgling at 7 years of age), the owner is bit because the bird is scared and uncoordinated. Now the bird doesn’t get out at all. Now every time the owner puts their hand in the cage the bird flutters in panic or hides because for the last 5 times he has been interacted with it has been a traumatic experience. Hmm.? What to do? We will discuss that next time.