is WING CLIPPING proper??

Question
Hi Meatyard.
First of all thanks for solving our problems.\
Sir my question is that i have owned a CONGO AFRICAN GREY PARROT  two days before. I wan't to have it's wings clipped but someone told me that it can b fatel for AFRICAN GREYS as they can be very frightened. They can die because of fear. I wana ask it it true? or i can clip it's wings?
         Thanks for listening to my question.
            God bless u.
Bye

Answer
Hi, Kami.  Thanks for posting!  Also, thanks for allowing me to help you solve your bird problems.  

Most parrots are frightened when they get their wing flight feathers clipped.  It isn't because the clipping itself is the problem...the problem comes from the process involved when clipping flight feathers, depending on whether this person knows how to handle a parrot and whether this person knows how to clip the feathers.  It isn't just african grey's that become frightened...most parrots fear having this done (as well as having their toenails trimmed).  Some parrots even have seizures when handled by their human because they stress out so badly...the stress results in a seizure.  

In order to clip a parrot's flight feathers, the bird has to be restrained.  This is the part that causes the problem for the birds.  Birds don't like to be restrained.  They don't like to have their wings immobilized...their wings are their way of flying away from danger, predators, etc.  Also, if the person doing the clipping doesn't know what they are doing, the clipping can be too severe resulting in problems for the parrot afterward.  A person can injure or even kill a bird that isn't restrained properly...it's usually necessary with a medium- to large-sized parrot, to have 2 people involved in the process.  I've seen parrots' necks become broken (and the bird died on the spot) from someone not restraining a parrot properly.  I've seen broken wings as a result of not properly restraining a parrot, etc.  This is why it's important to get a parrot used to being handled and also important to get a parrot used to having it's feet, toes, wings touched/handled (feet and toes for nail clippings).  

I cannot emphasize to you enough the importance of knowing what you are doing if you clip flight feathers yourself.  Visit my website for some links on how to properly clip flight feathers.  You should see a paragraph on clipping feathers.

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Please come back if you have further questions.

Chrys