Written by Chris Biro, all rights reserved.
> Let me introduce myself and ask a question. I am companion to two
flighted
> birds, a grey and an umbie. I don't, however, allow flights outside
for
> fear of predator birds. We live in a rural area and are situated in a
> hollow surrounded by woods. How do all of you outside flyers handle
this?
This is a common question from new list members and it seems we may need to post
some of the responses to this "predator threat" question to either my
website or to the shared files at ONEList - I suspect some people may not answer
the question as quickly for tenth time LOL. This is not to imply that you are in
any way "wrong" for asking.
So now to answer the question from my own stand point. I have thus far not
had any serious trouble with predator encounters - some on the list have. I have
come to feel the "potential threat" is outweighed by the reality in my
own case of seven years of flying parrots and no problems so far. Though I
recognize the threat as being very real and very dangerous, I also have come to
value the much higher quality of life my flyers live than would be available as
clipped or indoor only birds. In my own mind I have come to accept that
"taking the risk" as being worth what is "actually gained"
by my birds and by myself through the the outdoor flight experience.
While I write this, there are five flighted parrots hanging out outside on this property - Cosmo (Blue & Gold Macaw), Red Claw & Frisbee (Mitred Conures), Scooter (Sun Conure), and Obee (Patagonian Conure). They have been out since about 10:00 AM this morning - I let them out for the benefit of guests who were bringing me another "castaway" female M2 this morning. The flyers will likely be out until it gets close to dark. They were out all day yesterday also.
I spend quite a bit of time just standing and watching them play in the trees or on the other cages (sometimes IN the other cages) and I cannot express how wonderful it is to watch them dangle from a tiny branch by one foot while holding on to for chewing a piece of branch with the other foot. Their flight antics and aerobatic maneuvers are amazing and spectacular to say the least.
And when I stop and think about the threat of predator attack, I realize that this threat is also a natural part of the wild parrot's life. Should I so dramatically limit their lives by sheltering them from a natural threat? If so should I also attempt to shelter the wild parrots as well? And if not, what is the difference? Do I think that my bird is more valuable and precious than the wild parrot? Or is it just that I don't know the wild parrot as well as I know these pets of mine? These are very personal questions since they have very personal implications. Each person who owns a parrot must come to deal with this question of predator attack on his own.
I for one feel confident that my birds not only can learn to avoid or evade
predator attacks, but also if given the option they would choose to have the
freedom and fullness of life the freeflight experience offers them, regardless
of the risks they and their wild counter parts must face.
This is not to say that I do not take various precautions - I hardly ever fly
them if I see a hawk in the area and I am extra careful about turning them loose
during and just after a long storm or extended snow cover (less food available
for hawks during such so they are likely much more hungry during these periods).
I also attempt to encourage them to not sit on top of the other cages, out in
the open - no that they all "listen" to me in this respect. But
other than that, there is little I can do about the issue. I must trust that
they can learn to deal with the threat, just as they would in the wild.
Remember that some wild parrots fail this particular "survival skills
test" also.
Parrots: More Than Pets, Friends For Life
Chris Biro