Thank you!!

[oliveme]

I adopted my new little lovebird on saturday.:) I have been reading loads of threads on this board for training and taming and taking care of these creatures. I have two little budgies that I adopted last year from a bird rescue. I have never trimmed their wings because I let them out of their cage and when they are ready they will fly back on their own. However, they never really "crashed" into anything and all the windows have lace netting on them. They basically perch uner my coffee table then fly to their cage.
My little lovebird on the other hand... Is completely freaked out by me and when I let her out of her cage she flew around but crashed into the wall. I was so scared! I do realize now after reading so many posts on the subject (especially from keltoth) how important it is to trim the wing feathers.

So I checked out the library section about feather trimming and took my wee bird in a towel into the bathroom and trimmed her feathers like the photo showed. She tried to fly after but could hardly get a a foot off the floor. Then the real MIRACLE...she hopped onto my leg and climbed up to my shoulder! I was really shocked! I thought she hated me... well she probably does but not enough to not use me as climbing equipement.:rolleyes:

I tooker her into the spare room just to make sure she was ok with her trim. She fluttered about a bit and could get just over a foot off the floor, maybe 2 feet at the most and she could land nicely too!:happy:

I am so proud of her! and of me too..I do believe she will be easier to train now. I do like the idea if training her slowely by getting her used to me. If anyone could offer me some tips that would be wonderful!

[Janie]

Being able to get a foot to two feet off the floor is perfect! You did a good job! :clap: I agree that a wing clip is at the top of the list in things you need to do (or in my case, have done...I'm a chicken) when taming a new bird. In time, you may find that a wing clip, or at least less of one than you did, is not necessary but most lovies do better with some type of clip. My older lovie is totally flighted but he is a very tame and very laid back bird who is now 10. The other two are less than two and very active. Also tame but not as safe with full flight so they are clipped but can still go from the floor UP, about 6 feet. In your case and with a brand new lovie, I think 1 to 2 feet off the ground is good! Congratulations on your new lovie! We love photos so post some when you have a chance! :D

[Kathryn]

That wonderful news. I'm so pleased to hear that you were able to follow the information on wing clipping and jumped right in there.
You didn't mention blood feathers, so I'm assuming you didn't see any when you did the clip. That is something to really look for and be prepared for in the even you mistakenly clip one.
Sounds like you and your new lovie are on the road to a rewarding relationship.
I second the vote for photos!!