Should parrots' wings be cut?

Having parrots at home is very common.They are small pets , colorful and very funny to see in their day to day.However, with the popularity they gain as companions of human homes, the number of people who choose to cut their wings to prevent them from escaping also increases.

This practice that may seem common, has its detractors when it comes to thinking about the most beneficial for the bird.Do you want to know if the wings of the parrots should be cut ? Keep reading This article from Animal Expert!

How are parrot wings cut?

Before telling you whether or not it is advisable to cut the wings of your parrot, it is necessary to explain a little about how the process is carried out and the modifications that it implies in these limbs of the birds.

When we talk about cutting the wings, there are two main procedures and some levels in each.The first of these processes is the alectomy , which consists in removing the distal phalanges of the wing and removing the primary feathers , which are the most necessary to fly; that is, the joint is mutilated.This intervention is irreversible and the bird can never fly again, so it is considered animal cruelty.

The other procedure is usually called clipping or clipping .Clipping consists of cutting only the feathers , not the articulation, and has different levels:

• Aesthetic trimming : Some of the outer feathers are cut without touching the primaries, so the bird is still able to fly, but in a limited way.Some people tend to do so to help the bird get rid of the molting feathers.
• Complete trimming : consists of cutting the primary and secondary feathers, so the bird is unable to plan or fly.
• Intermediate trimming or standard : it is a cut between the two previous ones, the primary feathers are pruned, but not the secondary ones.Due to this, the bird is able to plan if it faces a to fall, but you will not have more freedom to fly.

The three clipping methods are reversible .

Image: infoexoticos.com

Should parrots' wings be cut?

The answer to this question is NO .Although it is a common practice, the truth is that there are more arguments to consider it as a negative for domestic parrots.

• First of all, keep in mind that, like many other birds, parrots are made to fly , so limiting something that is inherent in their nature is not It is only selfish, but it can also unleash in them strong stress attacks that lead them to bite the body or even self-mutilate.
• Second, the main reason alleges to cut the wings of parrots is to prevent them from escaping from homes, but the truth is that, if you find yourself in a dangerous situation or fall from somewhere, you will not have how to avoid the impact on the ground, which can mean death in most cases.In this sense, a parrot that is not able to fly is helpless inside the home , and this can often be more dangerous than the risk of going out the window.
• In addition to the psychologically traumatic component which means not being able to fly, parrots with clipped wings lose their main exercise activity, which is why they may develop health problems and anxiety about the accumulated energy.
• Apart from this, you should keep in mind that flying is also a way to protect yourself , since parrots, and in general all birds, move away when they find themselves in situations that seem dangerous, intimidating or that they don't feel comfortable in.In this sense, if your parrot can't fly and is in a situation of this type, there will be no way to take shelter, so it will end up being a scary bird that will never feel calm or at ease with its surroundings.

Simply put, both alectomy and wing trimming are practices not recommended that do not benefit your parrot at all, it will not be safer at home, because it will find new obstacles that it will not know how to get around, at the risk of getting hurt, and develop negative attitudes in the wake of stress and the trauma that means seeing their natural abilities limited.

If you want to "protect" your parrot from external dangers for fear of escape, from Animal Expert we encourage you to inform yourself about the education of these incredible animals, since they are extremely intelligent.In all cases it is infinitely better to opt for positive reinforcement and education through beneficial techniques for animals.

What if the parrot is sick?

Is there a situation that justifies the trimming of the wings? The truth is that yes, but only in those cases in which the veterinary professional has recommended rest or immobility for the parrot to recover from an injury or illness.In these same cases, it will be the veterinarian who performs the cut of the feathers (not the mutilation of the joint, this is never justified), so it is not advised to do it at home.

When this happens, the veterinarian will take care of making a cut for prevent the bird from flying for the rest period, returning to normal when the wings grow again; that is, it is something temporary and only for medical purposes .

As we say, this trimming of wings should be done by the veterinarian, never at home, because it requires instruments designed for such a task. Never try to do it at home , because you could cause your parrot a lot of pain and mortal wounds.

If you want to read more articles similar to Are parrots' wings cut off? , we recommend you that you enter our basic care section.