Link to pictures

[Amanda]

Hi all. Here's a link to some of my FIDS pictures.

http://community.webshots.com/user/eeveep

[Jenny]

How CUTE! They all look really fun! :D

[Mrs.Birdy]

Awwwww. Soooo Cute. Keep us up-to-date

:)

[dlaura]

What a neat bunch of pictures - all birds are so adorable! I especially like the new addition to your flock. Can you describe some of the character traits it displays?

Also, I like the flight suit - how does it attach to the bird?

Thanks,
Diane

[Amanda]

Hi Diane,

Rio is still a baby (only 14 weeks old) and he is very docile. We have had him home only since May 16th, but he has adjusted to the move pretty well. I think the fact that I visited him all the time and socialized him while he was still being handfed at the store helped make the move much easier for him. He is completely comfortable here at home and knows my voice from the rest of the family. He squawks (but quietly) everytime I speak to him.

Yes, the flight suit attaches to a special leash that came with it. I find it very good because I can sit outside and have Rio with me without getting worried that he'll fly off. Rio's wings are clipped but I've heard of stories of birds flying off (when there's a gust of wind) even when the wings are clipped.

[birdgirl]

they are all so cute.

[dlaura]

Hi Amanda,
Thanks for the info on the flight suit - I haven't taken my bird out much as I also worry about accidentally losing her. Therefore, my interest in flight suit - does it go under the wings and around their backs? How does it fasten?

Angel is about three years old and hopefully I can get her to adjust to wearing one.

P.S. - Welcome to the site - it is a lot of fun to be able to connect with others owned by birds.

Diane

[Amanda]

Hello Diane,

The flight suit goes over and above the wings ... and this allows the bird to be able to flap or extend their wings even when they are wearing the flight suit. It closes in the back with velcro (and the lanyard leash attaches to the back as well).

Rio struggled with the flight suit only the first time I put it on him and I had to ask someone to help me hold him. The second time, he struggled a little but I was able to put the suit on him by myself. Everytime I visited Rio and took him out of his cage, I put the suit on him -- this way, he was able to identify the flight suit to mean he can come out of his cage and socialize with me. After about a week, he was completely used to the idea and I've not had a problem since then.

Since Angel is 3 yrs old, maybe you can go slow in introducing the suit. The flight suit recommends that it should be introduced to the bird slowly ... for example, putting the suit outside of the bird cage (but where the bird can see it) for a couple of day, then slowly move the suit closer and closer to the cage, after a few more days, maybe hang the suit on the outside of the cage. It has also been suggested allowing the bird to beak it and play with it so they'll know that it's nothing to be afraid of. I know of 2 people on the Amazon board that decided to buy a flight suit for their "older" Amazon and after about 2 weeks, they were able to put the suit on their birds. I think one of them really likes it, but the other one is not really thrilled to have it on. I guess it depends on the bird ...

I'll try to take pictures of Rio wearing it (from different angles) and post the pictures so you can see how it looks.

Ann