Hi everybody,
So my brown headed parrot, Basil is about 5 months old now. I have had him for about a month, and now I am trying to decide if I am going to let his wings grow in or clip him again.
I'm a student half the time, and the other half I am working full time (co-op program!), so I live in shared houses and townhouses. For any of you that has ever lived in student housing, you will know that even a five person apartment is not very large in the student ghetto. I'm not sure whether I should let him be flighted or not, due to the small size of my living quarters. Are parrots unable to fly in small quarters? Would there be a lot of danger of him running into walls, furniture, or windows? I don't think I would have a big problem with not being able to keep him tame, he seems to enjoy being with me, or being on the windowsill more than any food or toy. But, I also do worry about things that aren't safe in the house; I don't have complete control of what's stored in the house. On the bright side, there are no other pets in the house, and my roommates are totally comfortable with having the bird around.
So that's my dilemma! If you can, please give me some of your insight. I'm not too concerned about how Basil will react either way; he is happy without flight as it is, and its fun for him to be able to go outside with me. But I think flight is an ideal, and if its practical then I would gladly have him fly.