To clip? or not?

OrlaGizRiki · Regular Member Joined: Oct 09, 2005 Posts: 18

I have a nine week old lutino kakariki, and my question is should I clip his wings, just the once, so I can tame him? Once he's tame I intend to leavbe him fully flighted. The reason i ask is I have a cockatiel and a parrotlet, both were clipped and it made it MUCH easier to tame. Saying that I have heard it stresses the kakariki's out to be clipped. Any advice would be appreciated on how you handled this.

\thanks in advance, Mandy

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

to our Community.
You will see from our site description "Experienced Members Created an Information Resource on Kakariki Care, Breeding,
Ecology, Aviaries, Mutation, Diet, Health, Conservation"
My experience in general has been with books, very often they are written from references to older books and papers. If the original is not correct, then often myths and old wives tales perpetuate.
I also collect old rose books going back well over 100 yrs...so often by going back thru references I have followed these paths, same goes with each species of parrot.
There is a heap of info on the 'net, very often these are experiences of 1 pet owner/breeder. and as we know, from real experience of members, each bird has it own quirks. By sharing these expanses individually a much broader picture and guidelines can be built.
Clipping is one of these. The general consensus here is don't clip a Kakariki wings, also member have posted methods of how to get around these situations.
To the left there is a 'Quick Search' block by putting in critical words ie clip or wing clipping or wing the block will search for posts and the info u require. If u then cant find what u want or have further questions on the subject post them. Also as time goes on and u see something that is a little different to what others experiance, post that.
Cheers
Steps

ksue · Foundation Member Joined: Apr 15, 2005 Posts: 270

read this thread http://www.kakariki.net/ftopict-278-wing.html+clipping
This is mine and other members experiences with our birds being clipped ultimately its up to you and some peoples birds are fine with it but In my own opinion no i wouldnt clip him....I thought this with my bird when i did it that i would be able to train him better but all i did was lose all the ground work i had done and had a very scared and sad little boy.........They seem to lose there confidence with the loss of flight and it has taken quite a while to get it back....I have a cockatiel and a Greencheek conure as pets aswell and they are both clipped and have no prob what so ever with it....dont know if I helped or confused you more but as i said this is just my own opinion[/quote]

OrlaGizRiki · Regular Member Joined: Oct 09, 2005 Posts: 18

Thank you both. After reading all that info, I have decided not to clip. Riki is already tame enough to come on my hand inside the cage, although he wont come to me outside yet. But I will persevere, tonight I lay on the bed, and after 1/2 hour he plucked up the courage to come down to me! Then i spoke - Big mistake - Off he went again! LOL

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

A hint..when taming or have a newbird, do not use words/sounds with 'S' and do not show your teeth, so be careful when u smile...once they trust u u will be fine.

OrlaGizRiki · Regular Member Joined: Oct 09, 2005 Posts: 18

Oh wow I dind't know that! Kakariki's are so different to normal birdies, and such a challenge! I love it!

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

Goes for most birds, even many animals...they have a natural instincts.
Notice if a plane or large bird hovers, they go to ground?
Or when u hisss at the neighbours cat?
Same ssss snake
There is a legit and obvious argument that this would not apply to Kakariki. Thu in practice it does apply, but not as strong as in Aussie and other parrots/birds.
So any non Kiwis figure the argument out?
Hint: same reasoning that Kakariki don't have a natural fear of Man.