to clip or not to clip?

Hello. I have a Blue Front Amazon about 26 yrs old. Right now the bird
is flighted. He's free to go just about any where he wants to in the
house, though he chooses particular places. He lets me handle him at
most times, is actually very affectionate, though when I try to put him
in his cage when I'm about to leave during the day, he gets very
aggressive. Years ago when he had a different owner his wings were
clipped. Then, he went to another owner who chose not to clip him, and
finally to me and when I got him he was still flighted. I've had him
about 10 years. My vet told me to have him clipped, mostly for safety
purposes, ie, flying out open windows, doors, landing on the hot stove,
etc, which he has never done any of these things. Last week when I
tried to put him in his cage he lunged at me and bit me hard on top of
the ear. This is the first time he has ever done this. Of course, I was
angry and so was the bird. I finally did get him in the cage, though
the scene was not pretty. What I'm wondering is if I have him clipped
will this lessen his aggressivity? Will he start to self-mutilate and/or
pluck? Will he turn into a screamer? I've read on the Internet that
clipping is a form of abuse. After all, he is a BIRD and he is suppose
to have flight. Will this affect him psychologically? I am hoping
someone can give me some insight into this situation. Thanks.

<honkytonk_lady DeleteThis @webtv.net> wrote:

> Hello. I have a Blue Front Amazon about 26 yrs old. Right now the bird
> is flighted. He's free to go just about any where he wants to in the
> house, though he chooses particular places. He lets me handle him at
> most times, is actually very affectionate, though when I try to put him
> in his cage when I'm about to leave during the day, he gets very
> aggressive. Years ago when he had a different owner his wings were
> clipped. Then, he went to another owner who chose not to clip him, and
> finally to me and when I got him he was still flighted. I've had him
> about 10 years. My vet told me to have him clipped, mostly for safety
> purposes, ie, flying out open windows, doors, landing on the hot stove,
> etc, which he has never done any of these things. Last week when I
> tried to put him in his cage he lunged at me and bit me hard on top of
> the ear. This is the first time he has ever done this. Of course, I was
> angry and so was the bird. I finally did get him in the cage, though
> the scene was not pretty. What I'm wondering is if I have him clipped
> will this lessen his aggressivity? Will he start to self-mutilate and/or
> pluck? Will he turn into a screamer? I've read on the Internet that
> clipping is a form of abuse. After all, he is a BIRD and he is suppose
> to have flight. Will this affect him psychologically? I am hoping
> someone can give me some insight into this situation. Thanks.

Well I also have a blue fronted (male) amazon. I got him with his wings clipped, and he was aggressive. He now is fully flighted and has gradually become very tame and now never ever hurts me even when he is annoyed (he just growls or flies off). So I don't think the clippping has anything to do with the aggressiveness. All I can think of that I may have done to make him tame is give him lots of attention whenever he wants it, and shouted at him when he hurts me. I've never caged him, he is loose all the time, and doesn't get into any trouble. I have covered up some things he's been interested in though, like electrical cables.


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Sheep would be too obvious.