Top Ten Reasons to Clip Wings

You are NOT cleared for take-off

To Clip or Not to Clip? That is the question. This simple question is often debated and probably one of the topics that comes up most frequently on bird and parrot related forums. Though some people feel very strongly about trimming or clipping wings. The decision is ultimately a personal decision that each bird or parrot owner must make. Some of the "reasons" detailed below may not make much (if any) sense but these are the most frequently given reasons given by those that decide to trim or clip their pet bird or parrot wings. You'll also notice that some of these "reasons" to clip or trim wings aren't even true or logical but they're still frequently given as "reasons" to trim or clip wings.

If you're interested, follow the Top Ten Reasons NOT to Clip Wings link to see the other side of this debate.

1. Clipped wings prevent them from flying into closed windows and getting injured or killed.
2. Clipping their wings makes the bird easier to tame.
3. Clipped wings prevent them from flying into water and drowning (toilets, sink, mop buckets, etc).
4. It reduces their mobility so they can't get into any trouble or danger throughout their surroundings.
5. Clipping prevents them from flying into mirrors and getting injured or killed.
6. The whole house isn't bird-safe so it's easier to clip their wings than it is to make the whole house bird-safe.
7. Clipped wings prevent them from flying into ceiling fans or other fans and getting injured or killed.
8. It limits the distance they can fly if they get out an open door or window.
9. Clipping prevents them from flying onto stoves and getting burned, scolded or killed.
10. A veterinarian, friend or breeder recommended that the wings be clipped.