How to Clip a Parrot's Wings

Clipping a parrot's wings is not an act of cruelty but of love for the bird. There are many reasons to consider clipping your bird's wings. The main reason is to prevent them from being able to fly high or fast. The dangers around the house are many for a bird in flight. If by chance your bird gets outside and free, it makes it easier to catch.

Things You'll Need

  • Competent assistant
  • Animal nail clippers
  • Towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Consider carefully whether to take your parrot to the Vet to be clipped. They are better qualified and have the instruments to do the job. If you decide to do it yourself, then follow this outline.

    • 2

      Hold the bird, gently wrap it in a towel and hold it by the neck with the feet down. Never restrict the expansion of the chest, as the bird would suffocate. The head, feet and other wing must be restrained well to prevent damage to the bird or you. This part of the job is best done by an assistant that is familiar with the wing structure and terminology of the feathers.

    • 3

      Take out one wing at a time for clipping. Hold the wing so that if the bird flaps it will not injure its wing. Only trim a few feathers at a time. Then check and see if the bird can fly. You want to trim feathers until the bird can fly only a couple of feet.

    • 4

      Cut only the primary flight feathers of the parrot. You should cut them to slightly less than the length of the major coverts. This will keep the ends of the feathers from irritating the parrot and will help keep them from plucking their feathers.

    • 5

      Avoid cutting a blood feather. This feather is still growing and so still receiving a blood supply from the body. The feathers should never be trimmed below the first barb and first vein.

    • 6

      Give the bird a test flight to determine if you have clipped enough of the feathers to limit their flying capabilities.