Spring has arrived! (At least the birds seem to think so!) It's time to prepare by doing some basic 'bird chores' like making sure your bird's wings are trimmed. As people start opening doors and windows to freshen the inside, it's important that you protect your bird from escaping outside. You cannot rely on your bird not wanting to explore what's beyond that open door or window, in fact, it's best to be prepared for the fact that your bird will most certainly try to 'fly the coup.' After trimming wings, be sure and do a flight test to test that the trim adequately limits upward flight. A good trim will allow your bird to glide downward and not gain lift. If you are not comfortable trimming wings, contact your vet or ask our Lost/Found-Rescue Committee Chair, Amber, for assistance.

It's a good idea to have a list of numbers to call if your bird does get out. That should include anyone who your bird is comfortable with and will come to and of course, the Lost/Found-Rescue number, 351-2762.

Make sure all windows and doors have screens. If you can't afford to put screens on the doors and windows, consider hanging a section of screen or plastic as a way to put a barrier between the bird and the great outdoors. Pretty much anything that slows the bird's escape and buys time to catch the bird before it gets out, could work. Be as creative in escape-proofing your home as your bird is at figuring ways to get out.

Another activity is to teach your bird to call out to you and to come to recall. On a recent Lost/Found bird retrieval, the Amazon that escaped out an open door was located at the top of a spruce tree because it called out and responded to people calling its name. The May membership meeting will be clicker training. Using this training technique and others to reinforce recall is another way to increase your chances of a successful recovery if your bird does get outside.

Now is the time to prepare any outdoor enclosures or cages. Be sure and check welds, latches and hardware. Make sure that the structural integrity is solid, there are no entrapment hazards, the perches are solid and any doors are secure. It's a good idea to make sure there is a solid cover on top of any enclosure to prevent wild bird excrement from contaminating the enclosure. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission also. Ensure that the location of any outdoor cage or enclosure is not susceptible to predators, such as cats, dogs, other birds, etc. You will also want to consider the placement of any enclosure to minimize the risk of bird theft. It's best not to 'advertise' your bird's presence to the entire neighborhood, even though your bird may have other ideas!

If you take your bird on outings, make sure that your travel cage or kennel is structurally sound as indicated above. You should have harnesses, an emergency kit, cell phone, and contact list in your car or physically on you when going on out. When traveling in the car, make sure your bird is secure in a travel kennel (not loose in the vehicle) and that the cage or kennel is belted in. Never put a harnessed bird in a cage or kennel while traveling, as they could get hung up and injured or worse. Always place the bird in the harness or travel kennel while in the closed car and not out in the open.

By preparing for spring and following some basic precautions, you and your birds should have a fun and safe spring!

-- Leanna Rein, President

The Alaska Bird Club • P.O. Box 101825 • Anchorage AK 99510
akbirdclub@yahoo.com