Wisconsin Forums

[AJE]

A wing trim, when properly performed, should result in a bird that cannot fly, but can glide gracefully to the ground. The bird should not develop any lift in still air.

It is important to be educated for the understanding that wing clipping is meant only to eliminate the possibility of upward flight, and the birds may still retain some ability to fly horizontally, and may even gain lift in the wind. Be advised that birds should not be taken outside unless confined to a carrier or cage because of the possibility of escape or, if startled, sudden flight into trouble.
For example my sister one day unknowingly took our families cockatiel outside, the bird was spooked and flew. (Just the day prior the wings had been cut at a pet store.) Anyway, after about 20 minutes of a wild goose chase we found Angel a mere 5 feet from a pit pull down our block. Angel had no way of knowing just how close to death he came, only he was a happy bird to be singing to the dog.

Many aviculturists prefer that young birds learn to fly prior to their first wing clip, and I must agree. Weaning birds should develop takeoff and landing skills. This’ll help them develop a better sense of balance.

Word of caution, beak trims are ill advised; birds need their beak tips to eat, to help balance themselves, and for grooming. Also, the beak is porous: if the beak keratin is compromised it may expose the inner structure to fungal or bacterial infection. Birds often dig around on the bottom of their cages, sometimes in fecal material. Unless it is specifically requested, and unless the request is justified, or unless the beak is diseased, beak trims should be avoided.

The main purpose of wing clipping is to prevent upward flight in a bird and not to render a bird flightless. A properly clipped psittacine should glide gracefully to the ground and have enough feathers to break its fall. Heavy bodied birds often sustain injuries from having too many feathers removed, the most common injuries being laceration to the keel or leg fracture. Unclipped birds are perhaps more at risk: inside the home from numerous hazards, and outside the home, by escaping, which can be dangerous for them and adds to the growing concern among state and federal wildlife officials about the possibility of non-indigenous birds adapting and reproducing.

Improperly clipped parrots seem to become irritated by half-clipped or ragged feather shafts poking them when their wings are closed at rest. This can dispose to feather-picking problems.

Each feather should be clipped below the level of the first vein and barb, well below the level of the covert feathers over them. If a bird flaps its wings while the feathers are being trimmed, the point on the scissors can puncture or lacerate skin. It is also more difficult to accurately snip the feather at the correct location using normal scissors, as they can slide up and down the feather shaft but a scissors used cut hair has serrated edges would perform duties nicely. Clipping straight across the primaries at the level of the coverts can result in damage to blood feathers and can even result in partial amputation of a wing. Note if you severe a blood feather you’ll need to pull out the entire feather to stop bleeding.

Each rachis should be individually isolated and identified, then grasped by the clippers and swiftly cut, making sure not to cut the overlying covert feather. Begin clipping at the last primary feather and clip four primaries (10, 9, 8, and 7) on each wing.

After the four primaries are cut on each wing, the bird should be tested indoors, over a carpeted area, to see if more feathers should be removed. Holding the bird on a perch or arm, quickly drop the bird downwards, causing the bird to flap its wings and jump off. Additional trimming should be based on the bird's ability to gain lift or fly horizontally. It is best to clip conservatively and remove additional feathers as needed.

Cockatiels are powerful fliers and may often need six to eight feathers trimmed on each wing. Budgies will also usually require trimming of about six primaries. As a rule, overweight or heavy bodied birds need fewer feathers removed than birds of normal weight or trim bodies. Overweight Amazons may only require about four or five feathers per wing removed. The old adage about "stopping at the red" for Amazons, meaning to stop clipping when you get to the primaries with red on them will result in the average Amazon having too many feathers clipped. Amazons drop heavily if too many feathers are taken and often sustain injuries. Macaws usually need the last five primaries cut (6-10). Cockatoos, which are usually leaner birds, often require seven primaries be removed. Conures and other small bodied, long tailed birds may require five to seven feathers clipped. Each bird should be conservatively trimmed and more feathers taken if necessary after flight-testing. The individual bird's ability to fly will vary.

Most avian veterinarians and aviculturists agree that both wings should be symmetrically trimmed. An asymmetrically clipped bird will spiral and lose its balance, leading to increased incidence of injury.

It is important to identify each shaft prior to clipping the feather. If in doubt, soaking the wings with water and alcohol will reveal exact location and growth condition of feathers. It is also easier to hold feathers or barbules out of the way if they are not scheduled for trimming. Blood feathers can also be identified and should not be clipped. If desired you may clip the feathers at a later date, to evade any unnecessary injury.

It’s preferable to have two people perform the wing clip: one person to hold the bird, with or without a towel, and a second person to perform the clip. During trimming, the bird should be restrained and the wing held gently and firmly, supporting the humerus. Holding the wing by the primaries puts the bird at risk of wing fracture should the bird try to flap its wing. Be sure that holding the bird, does not apply undue pressure on the body of the bird.

Wing clipping is an essential part of avian medicine, and necessary for a happy bird.