Pernicious: Freeflying Cockatoo Parrot

Watch Rose Breasted Cockatoo, Pernicious, go from wobbly early outdoor flights to master of the sky. Though she came to us as a partially clipped baby with limited ability to fly she maintained her interest in flying. We started her outdoors after her feathers regrew and her interest in flying really took off. She is also known as Pinknicious, WeWu and Zoltar. Featured bird handlers Susan Hilliard and Chris Biro. Flight students shown: Nena McNulty, Trish & Richard Harris, and Kim Strong. Do not try this with your bird unless properly trained. To learn more about flight training or Freeflight Tours visit www.libertywings.com

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• moab
• parrot
• flight
• macaw
• cockatoo
• freeflight
• flying
• training
• fly
• chris biro
• susan hilliard

[polytelismedia]

Hi Chris:

I feel that you have a lot to offer re-establishment of wild populations of parrots. A great example is the Thick-billed parrot of SE Arizona and New Mexico. Its common range of course being in Mexico. You may be aware but in about 1988 several groups of Thick-bills were released but most were predated by raptors. These birds could have been taught survival and have been trained for months to increase fitness before leaving them on their own. Your methods would help immensely.

[chrisbiro1]

@polytelismedia Interesting that you should bring this up. You may find birdrecoveryinternational c o m of interest since that is exactly what I am working on doing. Chris

[polytelismedia]

Chris I spent 6 months in Australia doing nothing but filming parrots flying wild and free. At one point I surprised a flock of Galahs from the side of the road while driving and as I recollect even at about 50 MPH they pulled up right beside my vehicle and then with a burst of speed were over the hood and gone out of sight! Any idea just how fast your Galah can fly? They are incredible flyers and I it was great to hear your bird give those squeaks of joy like I heard wild free birds do!

[chrisbiro1]

@polytelismedia I wish I knew how fast they can fly. She is so hard to video because she not only flies fast but she also often changes direction at full speed. She flies right out of the viewfinder unless you are zoomed out more than usual. She is a delightful bird with the sweetest and most charming personality. I just love her and wish I had a reason to have a few more flying in the flock. Seems like flying a flock could be a lot of fun. Chris

[polytelismedia]

@chrisbiro1 Wow Chris what a fantastic offer!  Thanks a million! These days I am working 6 days out of 7 but would absolutely love to keep this invitation open if its okay to do so! and Yes I absolutely love filming parrots.

Nothing more fun that I can think of!

[chrisbiro1]

@polytelismedia Would you like to come film flying parrots in Moab? Sounds like you could be good at it and it has been quite difficult to be flying the birds and watching what is going on with them and be in the shots at the same time. Having a good camera person around occasionally to run the video camera could produce some great footage. And it sounds like you know your parrots. Could make for some fun conversations and adventures. Chris

[polytelismedia]

@chrisbiro1 Chris that is totally an amazing coincidence. I was totally not aware of your work with birdrecoveryinternational at all. I had followed the thick-billed parrot recovery program enthusiastically for years and of course was ultra disappointed in the result. When I saw your training methods I thought of potential success with thick-bills and also Spix macaw came to mind as well! Such a small world... grin. Great website and very informative. Thanks!

[polytelismedia]

@chrisbiro1 Chris having watched and filmed a lot of different species of wild cockatoos I would conclude that the Galah is the most exuberant flyer of them all. All of them enjoy flying but I have watched Galahs wheeling and turning and barrel-rolling a great deal of the time. They seldom seem to just fly from point A to B but flight is almost always done with extreme gusto. The other Cockatoos even the Little Corella and other small Toos do not seem to enjoy flight as much.

[polytelismedia]

@Nakka92 I have a short clip of cockatiels flying in the wild on my DVD series on Australian parrots. (not on youtube but in the at home DVD version) If you are interested in it simply go to my youtube channel or type in the words Australia discovering the world of parrots to learn more. and yes the ones I filmed and saw in the wild were unbelievably fast and agile.

[polytelismedia]

@Nakka92 Its no wonder that Galahs remind you of cockatiels. Recently cockatiels have been considered a extremely close relative taxinomically of the Cockatoos. Try this one on for size. An accidental pairing of a Galah and a cockatiel produced a chick that fledged called a Galatiel. Google it or even youtube it if you are in doubt. A beautiful little bird that looks like both species.

[Nenadjones2]

I would LOVE to do this, nothing like giving your bird a true sense of freedom... But I'm just too afraid to do so since she might fly away or the main reason - I live in Europe, and I see quite a few hawks around - they even have a nest very near to my house. If I had a big cockatoo no problem, but a cockatiel...

[zXIaDaMIXz]

Wish my caique could fly outside i live in yorkshire in the uk

[mouse264]

@chrisbiro1 Okay, maybe I'll just keep him inside. I'll go read your website- Thanks!

[chrisbiro1]

@mouse264 I recommend you read everything on my website first. Cockatiels can be taught to fly out doors but they are not the best choice for this. Chris

[mouse264]

So amazing! Can a cockatiel be taught to do this? His wings are clipped now, but when they grow back I think I might try this c:

[whitetiger123100]

wow, she is so fast!

[MrAndrewaaa]

i do this with my frill pigeon :)

i never trained him, all i did was hand feed him.

[chrisbiro1]

@LostxXxPage We are not afraid we will just fly away and not come back but they do sometimes get lost and we have to go find them. Congrats on the two baby eccies. Yes I would suggest you check our website for more info on flight training. We also offer flight training classes where we go into more detail than is on the website. Chris

[LostxXxPage]

I know you probably get this question ALOT, but dont you ever get scared they wont come back? Im getting two eclectus babies pretty soon and would LOVE to be able to do this with them, any tips and tricks? or should i just check out the website link i saw on the video? x)

[antiquebeak]

Was surprised (and happy) to see an RB2 in your vids. Absolutely loved it. I especially liked your including her progression of strength and agility - made it all the more interesting.

[nameofthepen]

A new video! SO glad I checked back. 'Nicious is a cutie!

[CaptUante]

Looks like Fun Chris! Glad to see the new video :))