getting bird in cage??

[Mydoona]

I let Mardi out to explore today and she wont go back in her cage.She is scared of my hands so flys away when I get near her.
I really don't want to freak her out by throwing a towel over her,its getting dark,do birds fly in the dark?I put a penlight over her cage to highlight her cage and hopefully that works.should I just do it and chase her around throwing a towel over her? I tried it in the early days with my other bird and it didn't work,he was too smart and fast.
thanks

[Mummieeva]

You can try changing the water out inside her cage and maybe shake her food dish so she hears the food. That worked sometimes for my birds. I hated having to towel catch my birds but sometimes I had to.



Steph

[Mydoona]

I waited till it was dark and used a penlight to find her, threw a towel on her and she got away but couldn't fly in the dark and landed on the floor so I cornered her and grabbed her with my hand,she made a fein attempt to bite me but think she was glad to be back in her cage.

[michael]

Sounds like a slight wing clip may be in store :wink:. Has Mardi ever been clipped before? How do you feel about having this done?........:)

[Elle]

My birds can be a pain to catch too! Try having 4 who encourages each other to run away! Plus, when you get one in and you chase after the other, the first one usually escapes again.

What works for us is routine. My birds are pretty good in getting back to their cages at about the same time every day (watch, now that I said that, I am giong to have a hard time returning everyone to their cage before work today!:lol ) and to plan ahead. I used to wait 15 minutes before it was time to leave to lock up everyone. Now, I do it about 1 hour to 45 minutes ahead of time. If there are some struggles, I have time to deal with it.

I give everyone their treats before I leave so everyone is more encline in returning to their cage.

At night, all the birds know at 10 it's time to go back in. Most of the time now, everyone is back inside their own cage and settled for the night before I have to go around chasing everyone.

If they are figthing, I usually step away for a few minutes. It's easier that way because they don't get all hyped up.

[Mydoona]

I am getting both y birdies clipped on the 6th of next month.Then let them try to fly away when its time to go to bed :-)

[michael]

I am getting both y birdies clipped on the 6th of next month.Then let them try to fly away when its time to go to bed :-)

I would make sure clipping is something you feel is absolutely necessary. The main reason for my making mention of it is "only" for their personal safety. Having to continue toweling either of them in the event all other measures don't work then a clipping would obviously be safer. I would take into consideration you may have to find ways to keep them occupied. Should you clip then this would also be a good time to work on having them step up for you and then be returned to their cage. Even though I've suggested you have their wings clipped, personally I would prefer to leave their wings alone if possible. I also feel clipping is a far more important measure to take than what some poeple may think. Please, be sure if you get this done its administered by someone with good experience. Someone who understands the goal is to limit their flight and not abolish it. Also, there are precautionary measures to consider afterwards in that they will be more prone to flying into something until they become adjusted. This may take a couple of days....................:)

[wilkiecoco]

the goal with clipping is not to limit flight, but for them to be unable to gain height. They need to be able to glide down safely, not crash into walls, windows and such. I agree with Michael - please make sure that the person who clipping your lovies knows what they are doing. Do not them clip just one wing, and make sure they only clip a few feathers. After their clip they should, and probably will, still be able to fly. :)