Can't Fly?

[mandii]

Hi all - its been a while since I posted - but just a quick question - I have a female parakeet - she is going to be 1 next month - she has never had the abililty to fly. She has a full set of wings and is healthy otherwise - she tries to fly, but will just fall. She flaps them constantly - but never goes anywhere. Will she ever fly? Or is this how she will always be? I was wondering if I clip her wings once and let them grow, could that help? Any thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks

[Michael B]

Sort of like shaving increases the hair's growth? Or mowing the lawn making it come in thicker? I don't think that's the way it'll work. Anyway, when the next molt comes around the I doubt the new feathers know that the ends of the old feathers were clipped. After the blood feather is no longer "blooded" I don't think it's really living tissue anymore (yes?).
I don't know the solution myself. I suppose you've studied her feathers, wings, and movements? Has she had opportunity for experience, or is she new to the out-of-cage world?

[mandii]

You are to funny! I didn't think that would work - that is why I have not tried it- but I thought it would be worth a shot. She is not new to the outside world - I have 4 birds right now - all fly except her - she has been out of the cage since I got her - which is about a year - when the boys fly around, she will get excited and try - and flop to the ground - she really can't even glide. My husband says she does not get a full wing beat - she only puts her wings up half way - it looks like they - I have tried to work with her and let her flap and jump off when she is really close to the ground - but hasn't helped. So at this point - I put ladders everywhere and perches so she can move around - but I would love for her to be able to fly some day!

[Sivin]

Hi Mandii,
This isn't by chance an English budgie, is it?
Sivin

[Michael B]

I suppose there are several options.
1. Take her to a vet to see why she can't fly. If she doesn't have the full range of motion, maybe it's some orthopedic problem. Perhaps a surgery could correct it? Maybe something easier? Perhaps she's weak from some kind of metabolic condition. Perhaps it's genetic (you don't know if she comes from a line of flightless budgies, do you? Did she have a great great grand somebody who was a dodo or a penguin?)
2. Therapy to help release the inner bird? Did she have a fall as a chick and fears flying? Does she have nighmares about rising out of a well? Did you ever give her positive attention when she wasn't flying? Aha!
3. I recommend yoga for increasing her strength, flexibility, and range of motion. The meditation can help resolve psychological hangups.
4. Clip her wings, and keep them clipped. (Instead of a failed flyer, she'll excell as a well clipped bird.)

[Michael B]

sivin said:

Hi Mandii,
This isn't by chance an English budgie, is it?
Sivin

Look at the photographs Sivin. I'd guess it's Cassie, right Mandii? You can plainly tell she's not English; - No umbrella.

[Sheila]

Hi Mandii, sorry to hear about your budgie not able to fly. I don't know the answer, but hope you do find out. She sounds like a sweetie! Best of luck!

[mandii]

Michael - you crack me up! ;D I have not addressed this with a vet as of yet - but will - I wanted to see if anyone had heard of this...........but apparently not!
Sivin - no she is not an English budgie. I got her at a pet store that only sells birds - I got her thinking she was a he - well she was meaner then sin - and of course the pink nose was a dead give away - I am thinking during the breeding - maybe something happened?!
Sheila - thanks for the words of encouragements - she gets around really good - she climbs all over everything and pretty quickly too - she has the run of the place - even if she can't fly!

[Sivin]

No brelly -- obviously not English. Silly me!

Ah well. I was wondering about the possibility of her being an English budgie because sometimes their weight prevents them from being able to fly.

[henryswife]

Hi Mandii, happy to hear from you.
We also have one budgie that doesn't fly very well, but is the most hyper hen out of 4. She will be 3 yr. this Jan. Every time she goes through a molt and grows out tail feathers & flight ones she always breaks them some how with her hyper playing around. She doesn't nap like the others, she just goes on and on climbing, playing with the toys etc.
Let us know what your vet has to say.
Keep in touch. Alice

[Sheila]

sivin said:

No brelly -- obviously not English. Silly me!

Ah well. I was wondering about the possibility of her being an English budgie because sometimes their weight prevents them from being able to fly.

I can relate....

[mandii]

Well thanks anyway guys - I will see what the vet says and let you guys know! She is a happy, heathly bird - so that I am grateful for - I would just like her to have fun flying around with the boys, but we will see!
Thanks Henryswife - its good to be back - I hope to be a regular again!

[Michael B]

5. Let her join the circus.
6. Buy a tiny electric fan and trap it to her back.
7. Feed her spinach (like Popeye eats to get strong).
8. Buy one of those bird harnesses and suspend her from the ceiling with a string.
9. Clip the wings of all your other birds.

[Sheila]

Michael you have missed your calling, if your not a stand up comic...

[henryswife]

;D ;D ;D ;

OK, can I send Micheal a 'Micky Mouse' cap with the properlor, put a harrness on him, and hang him from the ceiling fan ?

Micheal, love all your posts. Alice