Bicki hates flying - good thing or bad thing?

[bickitrainer]

Bicki just hates flying. He is so hesitant when I call him to fly on my finger. And when he does start flying he chirps his head off and tries to drop on the ground!

I think maybe he's just not confident enough so I've been trying to train him. He climbs our flight of stairs 5 times a day (he loves doing that) and I call him to fly on my finger from short distances.

His wings have never been clipped.

So, is his hatred of flying a good thing or a bad thing? Flying is really good excersise for birds, so I'm worried about Bicki's health. But birds also do get into trouble when they fly.

Should I encourage flying or be happy that he hates it already?

[Karen]

I'd just let him be. If he doesn't like to fly then I guess you'll just have to respect his wishes.

[silvercloud]

I agree with Karen. If he's happy not flying then I reckon it's a good thing, easier to keep an eye on him ;D

[bickitrainer]

Ok, but how would I encourage excersise?

[barkingowl]

I would not worry about Bicki not flying, Bicki might just need confidence before he takes off. Just be wary where he is at all times and make sure everyone else is aware that he just mite take off with out warning. Well done with the harness. It is good to see a responsible owner. I would just get Bicki to climb branches for now for exercise i.e. trees that you can get to for the rescue for the little man. He is one happy little man.

[silvercloud]

Does he ever hang onto the perch and flap his wings madly? Most birds do and it gives them great exercise. ;D Otherwise as Bec said, just let him do lots of climbing and even running around in a confined area.

[Jane]

If you were really keen to teach Bicki, (now this is just an idea I have no claim to being a bird trainer ) maybe put two long ladders in a V shape between 2 chairs or something and ask Bicki to climb down one and then up the other for a reward and maybe Bicki will get sick of the 'long way' up and down and get the reward quicker by flying accross the top
If not the climbing will be heaps of exercise

[courtzrocks]

I would say just leave it, it's a good thing! Trust me LOL! Even though I love how Matches flies to me and flies around, she also lands places that she likes to try and chew so I am always on the go getting her off lol. Matches is big on flying, she will fly rather than walk (cos she's a bit of a clumsy walker) so most of my training involves teaching her what to do if she gets outside.

Like flying to me, stay, flying down...she has pretty much aced flying down, we have very high ceilings with rafters and she flies up there sometimes and because I taught her to fly down from other places she does it from there too.

Beetle is clipped so I'm a bit nervous how she will be flighted if she is co-operative or not...

I think you're lucky bicki isnt big on flying, I'm sure with all the tricks Bicki does then he would get a good amount of exercise anyway.

[zooyouthben]

if bicki has never flown he may not have enough muscle mass to fly long distance, hence why he is only happy flying short distances.

I would let me develop as he wishes, or chuck him in an aviary full of other lovies, he'll catch on lol

[bickitrainer]

Haha lol, thanks everyone!! Apparently when Bicki had just been weaned, he was flying lots and lots. I went to the Philippines for 3 weeks and Bicki was in my older sister's care. She said that he was the best of the best flyers.

Lol it's so funny when they just flap on their perches madly!!

I think Bicki's best training is climbing up the flight of stiars. He use his wings and feet!

Lol I've kinda given up on the bird harness. He just hates it.