Oscar Wilds Free Flight!!

[Dlong88]

I have been working with Oscar for some months now and I finally felt confident enough to free fly him outside. This thread is posted for the bird owners that can appreciate the technique and dedication needed achieve free flight. This experience is extremely rewarding because the exercises and training allowed Oscar to be prepared for many of the obstacles he would face in the wild. I say this because I know this forum has a track record of bird owners bashing other owners for different bird owning methods. I didn't post this thread to be critisesed or verbally abused, but I know someone will still feel the need so.... go ahead

Just keep in mind Oscar has been trained in many ways so that he is prepared for the outdoors. I didn't just bring him out and let him loose. I have flown him in large areas that are enclosed first with high ceilings. I have also introduced him to unfamiliar birds and let them fly around to let him get use to not leaving me to chase them. In the videos you can see stray birds and it doesn't phase him at all. I have read many articles and training exercises from experts and consulted with them personally before I did any free flights. I only take him to wide open fields, and make sure no predators are in the area. You can see in this video Oscar enjoys the outdoors and feels comfortable being there. I take this process seriously and take the proper precautions to make the free flight safe and enjoyable.

Here are a couple of videos. I hope you enjoy!



And Here are a couple of pics.

[kab6193]

I think he is beautiful and even more so flying around like a happy bird. I'm glad you feel comfortable doing this because I'm sure he loves it. I don't think I would ever be able to let Ollie do that...

[Dlong88]

Thank you. Glad you think so.

[millamang]

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[Dlong88]

Haha! Thank you, I guess, for the compliment nested in your thick sarcasm. Sad part is, people will feel this way for real about me free flying Oscar.

[tupchurch27]

Wow millamang wow. LOL

[Marrie]

David, there is a long thread from Shanlung about his free flight birds - everyone has enjoyed his, so as long as proper precautions are taken, I don't think most people have a problem with free flight. Just remember anyone reading this thread, do not try it without A LOT of training before hand and your bird coming back to without fail on command.

Oscar is a beautiful bird and I am sure you both enjoy your flights.

Everyone please be respectful in this thread. It will be monitored. (disagreeing is fine, being rude is not)

[Jenny P]

David,
I think free flying is a wonderful opportunity for your birdie - I'm impressed w/your willingness to put the time & effort into researching & then training your bird for it. I have a question about predators: it looks like Oscar always flies pretty low - is this just his natural tendency to stay close to you, or have you trained him that way so as to avoid predatory birds?

[Dlong88]

Good question! These videos are the first couple of free flights we have done, and Oscar was still getting use to the open space. Him staying low like that was natural, but he has gone high once or twice now that we go out all the time. I don't think he likes to go high though. I never practiced anything that would make him think he couldn't fly as high as he wanted. Like you said it is his tendency to want to stay close to me. I have seen many free flights and this seems to be a natural tendency when you are doing a solo free flight. When you introduce a flock of 2 or more is when they seem to take to the skies which is ok because predators are not as much a threat when there is a flock.

[Marrie]

I imagine the lower they are the less wind force there is as well, for a captive bird it's probably more comfortable to fly a little lower until they build their muscles up to compensate.

[Dlong88]

I took Oscar out today and tried to notice anything in particular as to why he is flying low. He actually started flying higher than I have ever seen him go before. I think you are right about them flying low because they are out of shape, but now that he has been flying many times he is starting to push his limits.

[millamang]

Marrie I got a bird bone to pick with you misses!

[Marrie]

A bird bone? :o poor bird! I replied to your PM

David - I am glad he's getting a bit braver. Must be beautiful to see him flying free the way a wild bird would.

[sweetnsour924]

I'm very very impressed with both you and your bird. He sure is a very happy and well trained bird.

[britany]

Your bird must really love you!
I wonder how long it would take me to train my bird to do that but I'm not thinking of it I'm just thinking that I'm going to tame my birds by hand feeding them so thy get used to my hand
Bad thing that my birds have already had some free flights in my house cos now they are all over the cage trying to find an area to escape!

[britany]

And my budgie Green she's not as fit as my male budgie you can tell straight away it looks like she's having a hard time flapping her wings campared to my male budgie Jeff....

And tips on how to get your birds to trust you more David??