Harness - Flying

[Jim]

This is for all but Sue had ask about flying with a harness.
I attach the harness lead to a small retractable dog lead.
In this photo I was out in the yard about 20-25' teaching Nino to come to me and fly back to the deck rail.

[Shirley]

Now that's a neat idea!!!!

[Jim]

Harness - Flying - Please read!

I have to say this. I posted the photo and comment about "Harness - Flying" in a hurry without giving it the proper thought. Sorry.

I'll explain and try to keep this short. What my bird is doing in the photo is dangerous to say the least. There are many risks and a lot of owner responsibility going on that is not seen in the photo. Nino at the time this photo was taken is a veteran indoor flier with great flying skills. He knows exactly what I want him to do, where he is going, how to do it. In my mind he has little fear of doing it. A big Plus that I'll get to in a second.

The reason I need to say all this is because I have seen first hand, birds in a harness with a retractable lead attached come to near tragedy. A bird can get pretty good speed in 15-20' and "IF" the owner is not on his/her toes and goes with the flow so the bird doesn't come to a sudden jerk, the bird could easily be physically harmed and in my mind mentally and emotional harmed as well. I've seen birds in trees 20' or so high with the lead tangled and the tree to small to climb. The bird is scared and flapping trying to get free. Not pretty!

All I really want to get across is it is a way to allow a bird to get use to outdoor flight with a degree of safety. Outdoor is much different than indoor. Wind, noise, distractions, and in my experience, most birds get up more speed than they're use to and landing can get out of hand or he may miss the target/hand and take off. Again that is where the trainer needs to be ready to go with the flow and slow the bird down.

Got kinda long I know.... but I would feel terrible if someone saw this photo, tried it and the bird was hurt or lost.

Thanks for your time in reading this.

[Ginny]

Jim,

You are a great dad and really in tune to your birds. I think it is great that you explained all that you did. :goodjob:

[Shirley]

Jim, I know what you mean... we don't "jerk" Skyler at the end... we follow him and act kind of like a "spring" when he reaches the end. If one notices Troy's position in the photo of Skyler in the tree... there's leeway in his stance and he hits the end with a "soft" ending and then flies in an arc back. He's also a very good indoor flier. I'd never do this with Holly, who is a poor flier when it comes to landing. She'd be pinwheeling and crashing and probably terrified.

~ Shirley

[Jim]

Oh Shirley, I hope you didn't think I was directing that post toward you or any particular person.
Just didn't want someone to see the photo and run out and try it is all.

[morgavin]

Don't laugh please.....Your post of harness flight made me think of combining two things I love. Birds and fishing.......use an ultra lite reel and attach to harness. Set drag on reel for size of bird.... Really like your explanation and thanks for sharing....Wouldn't consider outdoor flight until flight indoors in a large enclosure...

[Sue]

Thanks Jim, I wasn't really going to encourage ourdoor flight but it was more a "what if" question, Toto prefers to climb everywhere but I wondered if something spooked him what would happen if he took off.

[Jim]

Neil, I'm still getting to know everyone so this is so you'll know me.

I would never laugh at you or anyone for thinking and expressing ideas. Heck ideas are what keeps progress/education going. If we didn't have ideas or held then in we would become stagnant.

I like to hear other people's ideas... I use them, combine them with others, and enjoy hearing them.

[Shirley]

Oh Shirley, I hope you didn't think I was directing that post toward you or any particular person.
Just didn't want someone to see the photo and run out and try it is all.

Oh no, Jim, of course not! And besides.... I can learn too and would appreciate anyone's concern, too!

I also extra careful around large bodies of water... like that pond... Harnesses are a must in situations like that and where dogs and traffic and such might frighten a NON-flighted bird from your hand to the ground.

[morgavin]

I didn't mean with a rod, just the reel held in hand, or on a wristband......LOL..I thought it was kinda dumb myself when I read it :o .....

[Shirley]

Maybe he could catch some fish while he's at it! :doh:

[Jean]

Jim, this is a very informative string that covers essential key points that assure the safety of our parrots. Great Post!