Article by Chris Biro, all rights reserved.
Hello Gail,
> It was just at dust and I was transporting Eddie,
White-bellied
> Caique, and Stella, Black-headed Caique, to the house from their new
> aviary. Because I was late bring them in and it was getting dark, they
> were both nervous and squirmy. Just as we approached the back door, a
> grackle gave an alarm call and both caiques slipped out of my grasp and
> flew.
Welcome to the Overnighter's club! And glad to hear you and birds survived your
initial membership adventure. For what is worth, your experience sounded
extremely typical to me. I have done much of the kind of things you resorted to
also. With practice, you will get better at it - means you will get up a bit
later after you have done this a few times <grin>. Also, your story
prompts me to note that I have had more flyers get loose during transport due to
carrying TWO birds at the same time, than from any other condition I can think
of. Obee (Patagonian) was lost because I was transporting him and a Powder (ringneck),
one in each hand, and a bag of seed (or something similar). I had too much in my
hands and then did not properly react once he did get into the air - he tried to
land on me twice but with the other bird and the stuff in my hands, it was too
much for him so he took to the sky in search of a better landing spot. And it
took me a long 5 day search to get him back again. Willow (Blue Crown Conure)
spent the day in some trees while I did a full day of elementary school programs
because that morning while transporting her and again ringneck from motorhome to
school, Willow caught a strong wind and off she went. I found her again later
that afternoon after school was out.
After experiencing similar adventures to yours often enough, if the bird is at
all questionable about being allowed to fly freely at that particular moment, I
carry ONE bird and do so very carefully. Rarely do I let a bird stand on my hand
with fingers over toes in a questionable situation - by questionable I mean at a
time I do not want them flying or a bird I do not want flying. With practice one
learns to hold the entire foot and not just a toe or to hold the bird's body
against one's chest. Often this is accomplished with one hand while the other is
stroking and calming the bird. Of course once the bird is a seasoned flyer, this
is not such an issue since it is not as critical if they get loose. But there
are times that even these veterans get held in a "no escape allowed"
manner.
Parrots: More Than Pets, Friends For Life
Chris Biro