When adopting a parrotlet and keeping one as a pet, you may be faced with the possibility or thought of doing a parrotlet wing clipping.
There are some people who realize the value of this practice. But for some, they do not consider this as kind. In fact, it may even be viewed as cruel or downright mean.
Either way, it is a short and quick process. It can even be done in just a few minutes when performed by a qualified expert such as an avian vet. But the question is in doing it in the first place or forgoing this decision.
So, if you are unsure about the best route to take, consider reading this post to understand just what this entails. Let’s jump right into it.
Is Parrotlet Wing Clipping A Necessity?
The most common misconception about clipping a parrotlet’s wing is pain. Many people assume that it can be painful and uncomfortable to the bird. But the truth is that it is not at all painful. This is why there are people who do not feel bad about doing it to their bird.
But the main reason why some owners do this is because of fear. They realize the dangers that come with knowing their pet bird has escaped from their cage. There is a high risk of the bird not coming back and perhaps getting killed along the way.
So, if you are thinking about a way to ensure the safety of your pet, then parrotlet wing clipping is an option. Even if you have a bird that only stays in the cage the entire day or occasionally goes out, then you would not want it to fly away and possibly run into some trouble.
After clipping the wings, your parrotlet will not be capable of flying at its full capacity. They may be able to glide for a short distance but it is not enough for them to actually fly. This is why it is not possible for them to escape.
However, do keep in mind that clipping their wings should only be done when you are serious about keeping and raising your parrotlet. If you do not plan on doing so, and you intend to send your bird in the wild eventually, then clipping the wings can only cause emotional strain and stress to the bird.
When Is Parrotlet Wing Clipping Bad
Although there are some possible benefits to clipping a parrotlet’s wing, there are still some disadvantages. For example, this will prevent your bird from exercising as much. They may be able to continue fluttering a few feet up in the air, yet they are not able to fly like they used to.
Hence, this will cause the muscles to weaken. So you should make an effort to take your pet out of the cage regularly when you have its wings clipped. This is a good way to make sure your pet can get rid of some pent-up energy and eliminate boredom.
Again, we would like to stress out the fact that clipping the wings of your parrotlet does not come with pain or discomfort. It will not lead to infections when done the right way. But there are those who accidentally hit their bird’s blood vessels when they have clipped the wings farther than they should. This Is why it is ideal to take your pet to an avian vet and get it done by a specialist. Otherwise, you run the risk of hurting your pet if you accidentally do it wrong.
Think of clipping a bird’s wings like declawing your cat. In this case, only a small portion of the bone is taken out. This means that no nerve endings are affected but just the feathers.
Hence, clipping the wings of a parrotlet is painless and can even save the life of your pet. Since there is no pain, and there are advantages that come with it, there are people who seriously consider clipping their pet’s wings.
First, you can have an avian vet show you how it is done. Or if you are not too confident doing it yourself, then have the vet do it. Then, you can always try it at home when you are certain that you know how to do it yourself.
The rate at which the wings grow back is between 1 and 2 months. So, it may be necessary to take your pet to an avian vet every couple of months when it is time to clip the wings once again.
Furthermore, you will have to clip your pet’s wings every 6 to as much as 10 weeks. This is why you should keep doing it as recommended. There are also many things to keep in mind when clipping the wings such as the age of your bird.
Never clip your bird’s wings before it learns how to fly. Doing so, it can impact the brain, bone, and muscle development. For instance, when you clip a baby bird’s wing, this will only keep it confined in the cage. Hence, bones, motor skills and vision can be negatively affected. It will not be able to exercise and explore its world.
Read More: Are Parrotlets Loud? What You Never Knew About These Birds!
Wrapping Up
There are a few reasons why some people choose to clip their bird’s wings. It may be as a way of protecting them from danger and making sure that they do not get hurt in the event that they accidentally flee from their cage.
But there are also some downsides to this practice, particularly if you have no plans of keeping your pet longer. In this case, it can lead to emotional distress and pain, which does more harm than good to your pet.
With all these things being said, you should study carefully the benefits and drawbacks of parrotlet wing clipping and then make an informed decision whether you should clip the wings or not.