RE: [Freeflight] Free Flying versus Fully Flighted

[Nate Waddoups <thoughts@n...>]

On Fri, 3 Jan 2003, Emily wrote:
> At 03:55 AM 1/2/2003 -0800, you wrote:
> 
> >This makes me wonder if other people with "adult fledglings" find that
> >their birds are reluctant to fly, or just not interested in flying.
>
> I have trained five highly skilled outdoor freeflying Cockatoos. 
> None were fledglings when they started. [....] None were at all
> "reluctant" to fly. [...] I wonder if the reason that some birds
> don't respond this way is sometimes species-specific, possibly related
> to body size to wingspan ratio.

Or maybe it's a matter of personality? (Which is also somewhat
species-related, I guess.) Phoebe is very laid back, and doesn't get
excited about much. Taken in that context I guess it's to be expected
that she doesn't get very excited about flying. 

> I also heartily agree with Mona that having skilled flyers around
> definitely inspires the newer flyers. My birds are so competitive
> that when they see one do something, they often have to try it too. 
> This has been a big help in improving skills and confidence.

A couple days ago Phoebe finally got to see the Steller's Jays that I feed
on my back deck. 3 or 4 came by, calling to each other, and Phoebe called
back. It was only the second time she has ever issued a screech while
sitting on my shoulder, and the first time I'd heard her screech twice in
quick succession - probably because the jays call like that. They are
incredible flyers, hopefully she'll be inspired by them. Unfortunately
they're probably the closest thing she'll ever have to a mentor.

-- 

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA
http://www.natew.com