All bird owners have faced this at some point. You think you’ve tamed and trained your parrot, you take it out of its cage and… in the blink of an eye, it has flown away! And it won’t come back…
Discover in our special file on parrot flight how to prevent it, and many other things as well.
Why do parrots fly away?
There are two scenarios when a parrot flies away. The first is that of wild parrots, and for them, flying is instinctive because they perceive humans as potential threats, and as you know, parrots are at the bottom of the food chain, so they are more likely to fly away.
The second scenario occurs with pet parrots, and there are several reasons why parrots might fly away. These may include:
- The parrot is still untrained or untamed;
- Lack of security;
- Loneliness;
- Lack of toys and equipment;
- A stressful environment.
Of course, parrots can fly away simply because of a fragile or poorly locked cage.
Untrained or untamed parrot
This is the most obvious reason why a parrot might fly away and escape. As an owner, you can provide your bird with everything it needs: food, security, etc. But the problem is that untrained parrots do not see this and do not understand why they live in a cage with another living being that could potentially attack them one day.
Thus, the instinct of an animal at the bottom of the food chain will be stronger, and every time you approach the cage, it will fly away; at least until you tame your parrot.
The parrot may wait for the opportunity to escape and fly away, and some even learn to open the cage by themselves, which happened to one of my grandmother’s African greys who escaped from its cage after breaking it with its powerful beak.
Insecurity
Security is an important issue for the parrot, and even tamed parrots can sometimes feel vulnerable, especially in large families with other pets like dogs and cats. Socializing your parrot with a family member can alleviate insecurities stemming from family members. However, it is much more difficult to address insecurities arising from other pets like dogs and cats.
So, naturally, the instinct will kick in, and the parrot will develop the desire to escape from the house.
Loneliness
Loneliness is another issue that parrots often face, especially as pets. You might think that parrots can feel fine if their owner is present for 2 to 3 hours a day, but that is completely false. Parrots need to stimulate their brains to maintain their mental health, and the only thing they have to do this is to interact with the owners of another cage mate.
Loneliness can also affect physical health and lead to refusal of food and feather plucking. And if the lonely bird has the opportunity to escape, it will seize it without hesitation. So be sure to interact sufficiently with your bird to strengthen the bond and loyalty between you.
Insufficient diet
An insufficient diet can lead the parrot to search for food outside, and when the opportunity arises, the parrot will fly away even if it has been tamed and socialized. This problem is very common with pet parrots, and you need to ensure you provide your bird with a varied diet containing seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
This issue can also lead the parrot to develop serious mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and aggression.
Poor environment
The most important thing when raising a parrot is to provide it with an optimal place to live. A place where your bird will be safe, stimulating, and clean. The living room of your home is an ideal place for your parrot’s cage or perches. But make sure it is completely safe.
On top of that, the temperature must be optimal; you don’t want your parrot to get sick from the cold or heat. 27 degrees Celsius is the best temperature for most parrots.
How to prevent your parrot from flying away?
By addressing the reasons mentioned above, you will considerably reduce the possibility of a parrot flying away. However, parrots remain exotic and wild animals, and their instinct can catch up with them at any moment.
Here are 5 ways to ensure your parrot does not fly away.
#1 – Use a sturdy cage
A sturdy cage will prevent parrots from flying away, even if the previous reasons exist. However, it is not healthy to rely solely on the cage without addressing the problems the bird may be experiencing.
#2 – Train your parrot to return
This training can fail, and the parrot may fly away forever. However, if you succeed in training your parrot, expect to have a parrot that can fly outside and return when called by its name. And this shows the optimal bond between a parrot and its owners.
#3 – Use a harness
Using a harness is also a good idea for parrots that often go out with their owners. And it is also a good thing when you plan to keep your parrot un-caged, which is possible after certain training.
#4 – Trim your parrot’s wings
Wing trimming is very common when the parrot is untrained and the owner is willing to train it. However, this can injure the bird, and it takes experience to avoid trimming too much and only cut what can prevent the parrot from flying.
Furthermore, trimming is not really practical if you want to do it solely to prevent the parrot from flying away. Only do so when you want to tame and train your parrot. And if you don’t feel up to making this cut yourself, take your pet to a pet shop or a specialized veterinary clinic.
#5 – Make its environment more engaging
It is essential to clean and secure the place where you put the cage, and if you can add toys, treats, decorations, etc., it can help the parrot bond and connect with that place.
Can you take your parrot outside?
Yes, you can take your parrot outside, but it must be tamed and bonded to you, and preferably trained not to fly away. Otherwise, you can use a parrot harness or a portable cage that you can use to board planes and travel.
Do parrots come back when they fly away?
If the parrot is of an intelligent breed, that it is bonded to its owner, and that it has healthy and tasty food, it is possible that the parrot will return because it misses its home and still remembers the way back. But this is rare, and most parrots fly away and never come back because they feel lonely or for one of the reasons mentioned earlier.
Can pet parrots survive in the wild?
This is a question that owners might ask when their charming friend accidentally flies away, and the answer depends on the breeds of parrots. Some parrots live widely in many areas, like quaker parrots that live wild almost everywhere, which increases their chances of survival after flying away.
Other breeds, like cockatoos and macaws, may struggle after flying away because there are no wild flocks they can join and continue to live. They may find food, but in most cases, it won’t be enough. Besides safety, which may diminish after flying away.
In fact, pet parrots will struggle to survive in the wild after flying away, but nothing is impossible!
How to retrieve your parrot
If your parrot has flown away, do not lose hope. Some parrots understand that they return when they are hungry, not specifically to come back to you, but they land in any area similar to their own home (i.e., your home) to find food. You can make an announcement and preferably a printed photo in the surrounding neighborhoods in case the parrots have landed in a nearby area.
You can place your parrot’s cage outside your house, in the yard, or in an open area that the bird can see if it flies over the area, hoping that the parrot will recognize its home. You can put food and treats inside the cage in case the bird gets hungry.
In conclusion, parrots can seize any opportunity to fly away for many reasons, such as lack of security, food, social interaction, diet, boredom, and many more. And the best way to prevent this is to enrich the parrot’s environment by providing it with everything it needs, such as toys, food, treats, social interactions, and training, preferably from a young age, as parrots raised by their owners from a young age are extremely loyal.
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