Little Critter Sitter

Little Critter Sitter

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This is Chucky. He was advertised on gumtree as a handreared clipped baby. (First thing to note here, as a lot of people have the same misconception, handreared does not mean tame.)

In my opinion - and experience - clipping a young bird is one of the biggest acts of cruelty. I know this will be a divisive statement.

In this video, Chucky is on my finger (a bit wet after a dip in water). This isn't voluntary; I was checking something, and by choice, he would be away from my hand. But he had nowhere he could go without falling. From the time I met Chucky to now, he has avoided my hand and shown signs of discomfort and nervousness when I have approached him (which I have done only when needed).

Many people believe clipping at a young age helps with bonding and taming by creating dependency. Which... when you think about it... is horrible. It's basically a relationship of fear; a bird that has lost a fundamental ability before they've even learned to properly use it, and hasn't developed the confidence to be independent and be able to explore properly.

Aside from affecting confidence, clipping at this age affects physical/muscle development. Many people have told me of birds they've had who have been clipped as babies, and never learned to fly properly even when they've fully grown back. Some of these birds are now with us. This young age is so important for them.

The best bond you can form with a bird involves trust, and positive reinforcement. Letting the bird learn their environment, learn their ability, and see that you're not a threat, but a trusted and loved member of their flock.

I am hopeful that Chucky's wings will grow back within a moult (a number of months probably) and he'll gain full flight, and build confidence.

But, please, reconsider clipping or buying clipped birds.

#accessibility video description: a young budgie flaps his wings briefly before returning to sitting on my finger, his front slightly wet. He does a little tail shake and bites around his foot. He shakes his feathers a little and is shaking slightly in general. I turn my finger to show his clipped wings, before gradually lowering him nearer the ground.

04/29/2023

This is Chucky. He was advertised on gumtree as a handreared clipped baby. (First thing to note here, as a lot of people have the same misconception, handreared does not mean tame.) In my opinion - and experience - clipping a young bird is one of the biggest acts of cruelty. I know this will be a divisive statement. In this video, Chucky is on my finger (a bit wet after a dip in water). This isn't voluntary; I was checking something, and by choice, he would be away from my hand. But he had nowhere he could go without falling. From the time I met Chucky to now, he has avoided my hand and shown signs of discomfort and nervousness when I have approached him (which I have done only when needed). Many people believe clipping at a young age helps with bonding and taming by creating dependency. Which... when you think about it... is horrible. It's basically a relationship of fear; a bird that has lost a fundamental ability before they've even learned to properly use it, and hasn't developed the confidence to be independent and be able to explore properly. Aside from affecting confidence, clipping at this age affects physical/muscle development. Many people have told me of birds they've had who have been clipped as babies, and never learned to fly properly even when they've fully grown back. Some of these birds are now with us. This young age is so important for them. The best bond you can form with a bird involves trust, and positive reinforcement. Letting the bird learn their environment, learn their ability, and see that you're not a threat, but a trusted and loved member of their flock. I am hopeful that Chucky's wings will grow back within a moult (a number of months probably) and he'll gain full flight, and build confidence. But, please, reconsider clipping or buying clipped birds. #accessibility video description: a young budgie flaps his wings briefly before returning to sitting on my finger, his front slightly wet. He does a little tail shake and bites around his foot. He shakes his feathers a little and is shaking slightly in general. I turn my finger to show his clipped wings, before gradually lowering him nearer the ground.

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