Beautiful Free Flight - Excellent Recall - Terrifying Moment!

[Shirley]

Dr. Cook's Moluccan, Merlin, is fully flighted, and wears a harness, but also goes out on her hand and just never leaves her. Today we were taking photos in the tree and around the flowers in my yard. We decided to take some pond pics. Merlin, not really used to being on the ground, was set on the ground next to the pond, with Dr. Cook right next to him. He walked directly toward her, and as he hopped up to her arm, either the breeze caught him, or he just decided to fly, but he flew off toward our 1/2-grown Maple tree! Well, we were astonished, and he bypassed the Maple entirely, made an arc around it, high above and over the neighbor's yard, above her tall trees, my heart is racing, he is beautiful, and Dr. Cook is firmly and calmly calling, "Merlin, Come here!" repeatedly. He arcs around in a very wide circle, high above the trees, and I've lost sight of him, but she hasn't, and he landed ON THE GROUND just the other side of our picket fence, and is walking toward her!!!! She reaches through the fence and tells him to come here Merlin, step up and he does! She raises him up and over the fence, and gets him in a big bear hug, and that's when we both nearly cry!

I should add, there is a row of very tall white pines behind our fence and all along behind our neighbor's fence. Beyond the pines are tall Maples.

Points of the day:

1) Recall and clicker training really pay off!!!

2) A cockatoo flying free is a sight to behold and one I'll never forget!

This is Merlin... after his glorious flight!

http://www.shirleymorgan.com/Merlin/384+cpyrt.jpg


http://www.shirleymorgan.com/Merlin/385+cpyrt.jpg

[Sue]

OMG I would have died.:eek:



You just never know, Toto is flighted but doesn't fly (usually), I would never take him outside and put him down. One time he had been in our bedroom and was playing on the landing, I was with him and he was contemplating the stairs when suddenly he flew over my head down the stairs and landed perfectly in the lounge, he sort of had the look on his face, "wow did I do that" with Toos that climb more than fly I think they are as surprised as us. Toto would much rather jump about and show off:dance:

[icebear]

I believe it was a breath taking sight, in more ways than one. :)
My biggest fear is to have one of mine get lost outside. I clip my babies as soon as their flight feathers are bloodless.
Merlin is a beautiful bird, glad there wasn't any real mishap and he enjoyed his moment of freeflight and got to share it with Mommy and friend! :D

[Jean]

WOW! what a heart :heart: throb fright! Thank goodness he did not get away.
It only takes one quick second to loose a flighted bird.


Thanks, for sharing his beautiful pics! :wub:

[birdnerd]

Wow! That's fantastic(ally scary)!

[Parrots8]

Dr. Cook's Moluccan, Merlin, is fully flighted, and wears a harness, but also goes out on her hand and just never leaves her. Today we were taking photos in the tree and around the flowers in my yard. We decided to take some pond pics. Merlin, not really used to being on the ground, was set on the ground next to the pond, with Dr. Cook right next to him. He walked directly toward her, and as he hopped up to her arm, either the breeze caught him, or he just decided to fly, but he flew off toward our 1/2-grown Maple tree! Well, we were astonished, and he bypassed the Maple entirely, made an arc around it, high above and over the neighbor's yard, above her tall trees, my heart is racing, he is beautiful, and Dr. Cook is firmly and calmly calling, "Merlin, Come here!" repeatedly. He arcs around in a very wide circle, high above the trees, and I've lost sight of him, but she hasn't, and he landed ON THE GROUND just the other side of our picket fence, and is walking toward her!!!! She reaches through the fence and tells him to come here Merlin, step up and he does! She raises him up and over the fence, and gets him in a big bear hug, and that's when we both nearly cry!

I should add, there is a row of very tall white pines behind our fence and all along behind our neighbor's fence. Beyond the pines are tall Maples.

Points of the day:

1) Recall and clicker training really pay off!!!

2) A cockatoo flying free is a sight to behold and one I'll never forget!
... ...

Hi Shirley,

May I ask what "Recall" means? I just talk to my parent on the phone. She told me I should let Oliver fly like Joey. However, get Oliver a harness. What do you think? I have not yet been at a comfort level of what I am doing, just keep trying this and that. However, I don't want any bad experience to happen with my birds. Your opinion will be very appreciated.

Very best,

Lana

[vmtwriter]

I can't believe how calm Dr Cook was while she called Merlin to come. I'd be freaking out. That just goes to show how much of a bond there is between them. :agree:

[Shirley]

Dr. Cook is my avian vet, and knew that freaking out would just frighten Merlin. Merlin came to her as a rescue at the age of 6 or 7, and he is 13 now. He was a biter and a fairly terrified bird when she rescued him.

Recall is coming when called...

And clicker training is how she taught him to do that. She never intended for him to fly off, and this is the first time he ever did! See my posts on Clicker training in Squawk n Talk... back a few weeks probably. I have movies posted too.

clicker training videos:

http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/CT/

We don't let them free-fly "on a leash"... and I have pics of my birds in the Cockatoo and Grey forums wearing their harnesses with leash attached so they can't get away or fly to the ground (clipped) just to be killed or injured by a dog.

~ Shirley

[Shirley]

Link to Holly in her harness:
http://www.thebirdforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=247&postcount=1

[Jean]

I can't believe how calm Dr Cook was while she called Merlin to come. I'd be freaking out. That just goes to show how much of a bond there is between them. :agree:

You must be an unconditional calm when working with a any spir of the moment incident. It goes along with proper bonding and recall training. I can imagine, the first time is most frightflu of all. It amazes me to watch flighted birds.

I hope Jim, our new member I invited will share his methods and pics of him and his free flighted maccaws with everyone soon. They are awesome!!

[Parrots8]

Hi Shirley,

:thanx: Thank you very much for the explanation. I learn something new every time I visit www.thebirdforums.com (http://www.thebirdforums.com). :agree: The harness looks really cute on Holly. But I think Oliver will be panic :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire, scream, and chew the harness. I don't know if he will bite me. :confused: He has never done that but you never know. I am thinking about trying the harness however. I took him to play in the yard sometimes but he is very sensitive about the surroundings. He will get skittish or move his wings (like ready to fly) even when the wind blows the leaves. After that, I have not taken him out much except I took him to grooming periodically. He is okay with strangers as long as he is on my arm/hand. Since I have just had him for less than 2 years, there are a lot of trials. I am very careful because I don't want him to have a bad experience or accident.

Have a GREAT 4th of July!

Joey, Oliver, and Lana

[Shirley]

Do some clicker training first. That's what I did. Gain a bunch of trust... make it fun. I never force it with Holly. She's a grey. Skyler's a 'too and I do have to force the issue a bit with him, but he's a whole different personality and reaction to things... and once it's on him...he's totally cool with it. Holly's fine with it once it's on, and it takes a bit of ducking and dodging, then she lets me put it on her. I didn't even try the first year, as she made it clear it was too terrifying for her to deal with. Clicker training changed all that.

[Jean]

Great idea Shirely! Also lay it out and hang it up near her so she gets used to seing and living near it before you try putting it on her. You amy even wear it for a few moments around your arm when you are near or with her. That will help take some of the fear away as you are working on what Shirley suggested.

[Parrots8]

Hello Shirley and Jean,

These are great tips! :agree: :agree: :agree: What video would you suggest for clicker training? Thank you for being there for me. It is a little hard for me because I moved here from another country where English is a foreign language. I have to learn new terminology. But I am determined to dedicate my time and effort for my birds. :school: :school: :school:

I truly appreciate your advise and help.

Hugs from Joey and Oliver. :heart:

Lana

[Jean]

Hi Lana, Shirley is the most experienced on clicker traiing methods. I am studying it myself. I think it is a great way to go. Here is a great post Shirley made with a lot of info about clicker training.
I find it to be a great thread with a lot searchable info.

http://www.thebirdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=569

Hope it helps!

[Parrots8]

Thank you very much, Jean. I have started my new job last week which I can spend more time with my bird. However, I have to bring myself up to speed. Once I have time to try the clicker training. I will let you know the result. Can't wait. (I'm sure Oliver can't wait too!) Hehehehehe...

Love, from us.

[Parrots8]

Okay, now I remember. Last night I visited the links that Shirley sent me. However, I had an Internet problem, so I could not see any of them but remember the links name. Thanks again to Shirley and Jean.

[Jean]

I read you mentioned Elglish is your new language. You are doing terrific! Keep up the good work. I'm proud of you, if you need extra help just let us know. May I ask, what is your primary language?

[Jean]

Here is another site to order Malinda Johnson's clicker training book, it also comes with a clicker and a CD to view a lot of pictures as they are clicker training.

http://store.yahoo.com/clickerpets/gestcltrforb.html

[Parrots8]

Hi Jean,

Thank you very much for the compliment and the encouragement. Other than English, I speak Thai, a little Chinese and Japanese. I went to a graduate school + a post grad school in the US and now I am working here. I think my birds have definitely a better accent! :D

That's why sometimes I ask silly question like "what does it mean by 'Joey is like a little ham.'" :rotflmao: I asked my friend the other day and got the answer.

I just saw the clicker training clips from Shirley, they were amazing! :thumbup: Her birds were so calm and paid attention to her very much. I still cannot have attention from Joey and Oliver when I call their names. At least, when I say, "Up!", most of the times they will lift their foot up. ;) I can imagine Oliver dancing on the table on his own and ran as far from me as possible, enjoying his freedom. I bought a little T-stand like Shirley used in the video clips, Oliver just jumped right down. He is very active until he is tired. :funny: I still believe it will work but may take longer. It doesn't sound like he is too old for the clicker training. (He is 1 1/2 year.)

I enjoy learning and reading stories here.

:wavey: All the best,

Joey, Oliver, and Lana

[Shirley]

Hi Lana,
I never knew English was not your first language, and we've emailed privately before! You write very well!

There is no clicker training CD available that I know of... except the photos that are on a CD, which don't "teach", only show what can be taught.

Start with 1 minute lessons. And read Melinda's book, following her instructions... they are important steps.

:)

[Jean]

Shirley, it does not have a "step" by step" training CD included. Maybe, I did not make the CD clear.

(Their quote better explains it) It shows pics of clicker trained birds on the CD.
Quoted from this link. http://store.yahoo.com/clickerpets/gestcltrforb.html

included with the book and clicker is a Mini CD, fits in your computer, with over 100 pictures of clicker trained pet birds, plus video clips plus Melinda’s List of online.

I just ordered my clicker kit from them.

[Sue]

Lana, I learned some Japanese a long time ago, I used to practise martial arts and we had a lot of Japanese to stay! Sadly i've forgotten most of it now.

Ohio gozi mas (probably spelled completely wrong:rotflmao: )

[Jim]

Hi Lana,
Just want to say that, in my opinion, the feed back you've gotten about Clicker Training (Operant Conditioning-OC) is right on. It is "one" of the best trust building methods I have found. For me it has allowed me to build a trusting friendship with my birds that is very very rewarding to say the least.

Since you have learned different languages Clicker Training should make a lot of since to you and hopefully be easy to grasp. Again, in my opinion, it is the building block of communication between us and the bird (any animal). With proper communication all things are possible.

[Shirley]

Right... it's "one" and it works. I use a lot of methods, and I speak all the time, but the birds love the game of clicker training. I started it because of Skyler's need to be diverted from feather picking... to have something "to do" and get his mind busy with something else... and they all love it.

It also is a way to teach behaviors so that when you need to do certain procedures, they know how by voice command or visual cues, like "turn around" during a photo session, or the movement of my hand to "turn around", or to drink from a syringe for future medications, lifting wings for examinations, rolling over on their backs, etc.

[Sue]

I really need to do this, can I buy the whole kit, (clicker/instructions) in one place:confused:

[Shirley]

I meant to send you a clicker...

I've posted your question to Melinda on her yahoo c/t group and will give you an answer as soon as I hear back... I've listed her yahoo site address elsewhere on this board.

~ Shirley

[Jean]

I ordered my clicket training kit friday. I am so anxious to get the book and start reading it. Shirley and Jim have had such positive results with it, Sue and Lana, we need to get going with it. I posted the link where I purchased the whole kit from a few posts before this one. Thanks, Shirley for the info on the yahoo c.t group as well.

[SadennaAndFlock]

I have been using a clicker myself with our military..she has developed some behaviour problems, she all of sudden has decided instead of stepping down nicely on to her perch in her cage when we put her back she screams and leaps into the back and has hurt herself twice doing this...so I said what the heck and got a clicker I got her going on the T-stand in the kitchen which she did her usual scream and jump instead of stepping down on to the perch, so I kept having her do it till she did it right and when she did I clicked the clicker and gave her a verbal praise..we are still working with the cage problem but she how step on and off her playstand alot better now..she also developed a fear of hands don't know why or how..so now I am working with her letting me touch her when she does without fussing or pinching I click the clicker and again a verbal praise I am now able to touch the top of her head with no problems as I really want to get back to being able to put a harness on her, when she went into a full blown macaw molt after weaing her personality changed and somehow got worse even long after she was done with that first full molt..so I am going back starting over slowly with the clicker and this past issue or bird talk had an article regarding military macaws and said they learn clicker training very quickly and seem to enjoy it...

[Parrots8]

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the late reply. I got home late from work. Today was a very long day. But at least I don't have to travel out of state like before.

Thank you very much for your support. I have got a clicker. I bought a video from BirdTricks.com and the clicker came with it. However, I am still nervous about it. I will also buy Melinda's book, just to make sure I know what I will be doing.

Sue, Koni chi wa! Your Japanese is fine. I can understand. Mine is going downhill because I have no one to practice with. You might be even better than me. Hehehehe...

I really have to start the clicker training now. After hearing from you all, it doesn't sound so difficult at all. I think it's gonna be fun. :-)

Oliver says, "Thank you".
Joey says, "Thank you".
Lana says, "Thank you" and "Do mo a ri ga to go sai mas". :-)

[Jean]

Lana, once we both get the book and Sue, please order yours then we can all work on the training together. :highfive: I just signed up at the clicker training board Shirley suggested. I have not posted yet. Shirley, I told them you suggested the site. I am excited to get started once my book arrives and I can start reading it.:emot-danc

[Schelle]

That harness looks like a great idea!

I shall try to learn more about clicker training too... I tried to teach Mitch to shake hands, using a peanut (his favourite) as a reward... it worked better than expected... sort of :doh:

once he got the hang of it, every time I put my hand near him, he'd stick his little foot on it and press... and then squawk! lol... as far as he was concerned, all I'd done was teach him how to work the peanut dispenser :rofl:

[Parrots8]

Hi Jean,

Thank you very much for your kind offer to work on training with me. Hmm... I cannot wait to see the result but am sure it will be awkward for me to start. :confused: I will have to go back and check where the clicker training board (you mentioned) is. I only went to visit Shirley's video clips and saw all the wonderful workouts! :thumbup: I hope the clicker training book is not a thick one as I work long hours and have a long drive. Once I get home and see Joey and Oliver, my fatigue is gone but I am still too tired to read a lot of pages. I bought a potty training book. It was a small one and very easy to follow.

Oliver has been acting differently recently. He would hang upside down a lot when I was holding him. I don't know if that is good or not. Joey also teased him all the time by flying really close to Oliver and that drives Oliver crazy. Does anyone think I should trim Joey's wings, also for his own safety? Oliver got Joey a little last time and Joey screamed and got away. :eek: Uh... my little fids! However, I love them sooooo dearly! :heart: :wub: :heart:

I am very confused recently as my friend told me to let Oliver's wings grow and let him fly. But since I don't know what I am doing yet, I think it is safer for him to have his wings trimmed. I don't mind paying for the grooming ($15/time) for his safety. My groomer does not want to trim Joey's wings because he is not vacinated. I cannot do that to him because he is so tiny! The poor thing will be in a trauma. I looked on the Internet to learn how to trim his wings but I cannot do it by myself - holding and trimming at the same time??? :confused: If anyone know how to do that by one person, please kindly share the technique with me. Many, many thanks! :thanx:

The three of us can't wait to have fun with the clicker training! :-) Well, Jean please let me know once you get started.

Joey, Oliver, and Lana

:twirl: :stars:

[Jean]

Elvie shakes hands waves with umbrella upand down several times as he says hello - on command!
He also waves his umbrella up and down several times as he says by by -
on command!

For the best reward of all, "a-kiss"

He will play fetch with me on the floor. Each time I throw his ball or bottle he will come and do a jump with exciteent for "his-kiss" before he fetches it.

[Jean]

Hi Jean,

Thank you very much for your kind offer to work on training with me. Hmm... I cannot wait to see the result but am sure it will be awkward for me to start. :confused: I will have to go back and check where the clicker training board (you mentioned) is. I only went to visit Shirley's video clips and saw all the wonderful workouts! :thumbup: I hope the clicker training book is not a thick one as I work long hours and have a long drive. Once I get home and see Joey and Oliver, my fatigue is gone but I am still too tired to read a lot of pages. I bought a potty training book. It was a small one and very easy to follow.

Oliver has been acting differently recently. He would hang upside down a lot when I was holding him. I don't know if that is good or not. Joey also teased him all the time by flying really close to Oliver and that drives Oliver crazy. Does anyone think I should trim Joey's wings, also for his own safety? Oliver got Joey a little last time and Joey screamed and got away. :eek: Uh... my little fids! However, I love them sooooo dearly!

I am very confused recently as my friend told me to let Oliver's wings grow and let him fly. But since I don't know what I am doing yet, I think it is safer for him to have his wings trimmed. I don't mind paying for the grooming ($15/time) for his safety. My groomer does not want to trim Joey's wings because he is not vacinated. I cannot do that to him because he is so tiny! The poor thing will be in a trauma. I looked on the Internet to learn how to trim his wings but I cannot do it by myself - holding and trimming at the same time??? :confused: If anyone know how to do that by one person, please kindly share the technique with me. Many, many thanks! :thanx:

The three of us can't wait to have fun with the clicker training! :-) Well, Jean please let me know once you get started.

Joey, Oliver, and Lana

(Potty Training) Try putting a few newspapers or a plastic lined waste basket next to where you sit and hold your birds. Every now and then, before they would have to go potty, hold them out over the paper or waste basket,
I say (go potty) some say (go poop) or what ever you choose to call it. Praise them and tell them what a good bird they are. All birds like to please their companion, All birds like to be praised. They are smart and love interaction even if it's potty time interaction.

( Bird-Intimidation)I only have one bird now, however, have bird sat as many as 4 at one time. I would never allow one bird to continue to frighten or harm another. I would act on that issue as soon as possible. It only does harm to you other bird/birds. It is like allowing a bully child to bully another child.


(cutting wings) First of all, listen to your own intuition above your friends advice . Assess your situation and act on it. Common sense is your best motto. Since you have never clipped wings and your bird is not used to it seek an avian vet or avian specialist to cut them. Maybe, even a vet tech after work. Some do that for a lesser fee. Or a local breeder or bird owner you know and can trust to do it correctly.

I will let you know once I get my kit, read the book and start clicking. I am very excited to get started learning clicker training.

[Shirley]

Lana, I forget your location, but that's awfully expensive for a wing/nail trim! Even my avian vet charges 1/2 that!

There are links to instructions in the Practical Links section, and by all means get hands-on training first. It usually takes two to clip Holly's wings, one to hold her, one to clip her. Same with her nails. Depends on the bird, not the size, whether it takes two or not.

Also, be sure you find someone who does it "correctly"! Read how it's done, study the pictures... and talk to the person before they do it... ask them what they are going to do first. Don't assume.

Flighted birds sometimes take advantage of their freedom and use it against other birds... Shelby (bare-eyed cockatoo) sure had attitude when flighted. Thus she was clipped. Skyler does not. He does not "dive bomb" the others. So he is flighted, and needs to be b/c of his tendency to feather pick. Holly chooses unsafe places to land... so she's clipped. Being a grey, and heavy, she's clipped differently than a cockatoo would be.

[Parrots8]

Elvie shakes hands waves with umbrella upand down several times as he says hello - on command!
He also waves his umbrella up and down several times as he says by by -
on command!

For the best reward of all, "a-kiss"

He will play fetch with me on the floor. Each time I throw his ball or bottle he will come and do a jump with exciteent for "his-kiss" before he fetches it.

Hi Jean,

That is soooo sweeeeet! But I am pretty sure both of my birds will never do that! :D Oliver kisses me a lot, by request or by himself (esp. when he wants something). I almost got a cockatoo but after enough researh that they need more attention and I cannot be home that long hours, I got a CAG. I still feel I need to spend more time with them at home. They get so excited every evening when I arrive home. I am still trying to move closer to work.

Lana

[harleybaby]

Well. I think I need to get into this clicker training too!! Count me in! I forgot about Shirley's videos, I don't have sound anymore so that sucks but I was in complete awe when I watched them!

[Parrots8]

Dear Shirley and Jean,

Thank you so much for your valuable advice. I feel better and clearer now. I am in LA and that's probably why it is so expensive. I think I will have Joey's wings trimmed. I tried it once last year for Joey's toe nails. I trimmed one nail too much and Joey was bleeding. (At that time I only had Joey.) I was extremely panic because he would not stop bleeding and I did not know what to do. :bawling: I drove Joey to a pet supplies store nearest to home and someone sold me a container of powder (I forgot what it was called.) to stop the bleeding. It was miracle powder! After that, I have never done that again. I think I need more than a book to see how to trim their wings, just for one time, now that I have lost my confidence. Perhaps, I can ask/pay someone to show me. Joey will get on your finger but gets panic when you touch other parts of his body. :angryfire Is there a way to calm him down before I trim his wings? :confused:

It is great that you both have experienced with more than one bird. Now I know that there is no one solution for all birds. My instinct is their wings should be trimmed, at least for now.

Not only you save me, but also my fids! :thanx:

Hugs and salutes from all of us! :twirl: :stars:

[Jean]

Hi Jean,

That is soooo sweeeeet! But I am pretty sure both of my birds will never do that! :D Oliver kisses me a lot, by request or by himself (esp. when he wants something). I almost got a cockatoo but after enough researh that they need more attention and I cannot be home that long hours, I got a CAG. I still feel I need to spend more time with them at home. They get so excited every evening when I arrive home. I am still trying to move closer to work.

Lana

That would be nice if you can find a place closer to work. I am sire the fids would also love that. :heart: Do you have much travel time each day?

For a working woman, I believe you made a smart choice to go with your CAG.:highfive:

[Shirley]

Lana,
Thank you for your kind words.

You must know what to do in case you ever have a broken blood feather. Please know that the bleeding from a broken blood feather (or cut one, but you won't make that mistake!) can be very serious, even fatal, as it's like a straw with blood pouring through, and once it's *pulled* correctly, the bleeding stops.

http://www.wingwise.com/cominjury.htm

Go there, click on the left for common injuries, and then click on broken blood feather. It often helps to twist a bit before and during the pulling. You must properly restrain the bird and you must be calm! You don't want to break it again, but pull it from the follicle, like pulling a hair from the hair follicle.

I won't allow anyone to care for our birds who does not know how to do this.

So far, it's never happened, by the way.

~ Shirley

[Parrots8]

Hi Jean,

You probably know about the terrible traffic in LA. For 40 miles, it takes me about 1-2 hours to drive each way. It is quite obvious that if I am home all day or most of the time, my birds are so happy. Otherwise, Oliver is excited but a bit grouchy when I get home from work; Joey just gets excited. :-)

Night-night,

Lana, Joey, and Oliver

[Parrots8]

Lana,
Thank you for your kind words.

You must know what to do in case you ever have a broken blood feather. Please know that the bleeding from a broken blood feather (or cut one, but you won't make that mistake!) can be very serious, even fatal, as it's like a straw with blood pouring through, and once it's *pulled* correctly, the bleeding stops.

http://www.wingwise.com/cominjury.htm

Go there, click on the left for common injuries, and then click on broken blood feather. It often helps to twist a bit before and during the pulling. You must properly restrain the bird and you must be calm! You don't want to break it again, but pull it from the follicle, like pulling a hair from the hair follicle.

I won't allow anyone to care for our birds who does not know how to do this.

So far, it's never happened, by the way.

~ Shirley

Hi Shirley,

I don't know how I miss your post. Thank you very much for so caring. I truly agree with you that until I know what I am doing, I will pay someone to do a good job on my birds. I have been working so long hours recently. But the nice thing is I won't have to travel away from my birds any more. I look forward to seeing and holdng them every morning and evening when I arrive home. It is so rewarding to have them in my life. You are incredibly supportive and my gang are very grateful!

Lana, Joey and Oliver :heart:

[Shirley]

:heart: You are so very welcome, Lana! :heart: :tighthug: