Avian Restraint

by Diane Wanamaker BS LVT Real Macaw Parrot Club Member

 

Before removing any bird from its travel carrier: Make sure all doors and windows are closed. Turn off ceiling fans and cover any open containers containing any liquids.

Equipment: Towel appropriate in size for species
 1) Paper towels for canaries, finches and budgerigars  2) Wash Cloth or hand towel for cockatiels, lovebirds and conures
 3) Bath towel for Amazons, Cockatoos and small Macaws  4) Beach Towel for large Macaws

 

Procedure-small birds
 1) Dimming room lights helps to calm excited birds  2) Remove top or bottom of enclosure if possible; if not use enclosure door

 

3) Position bird with towel so it is facing side or back of enclosure

  4) Best time to grab bird is when it is biting the enclosure
 5) Grab from back of head with thumb and forefinger on either side of mandibles  6) Small birds can be restrained with one hand placed over the birdís back and placing head between the second and third fingers.
 7) Pressure must not be exerted on the sternum. Birds must be able to move sternum to breathe freely.

 

Procedure- large birds
 1) Have owner remove bird if possible and place bird on table top or floor.  2) A small perch or dowel positioned cranial to legs to encourage bird to step up on to it and remove from enclosure.
 3) Hand tamed accepting birds will often step up on to out stretched hand when placed firmly against the abdomen.  4) Dimming room lights will help calm excited birds.

 5) Untamed or frightened birds can be physically moved from enclosure.

a) Remove top or bottom of enclosure if possible or use door.

b) Position bird with towel so it is facing the side of enclosure.

c) Restrain from back of head by placing thumb and index finger on either side of mandibles*.

*African greys and Macaws will bruise if restraint is applied to bald areas of face. Restrain by placing fingers below this area.

 6) Sternum must be free of pressure to enable bird to breathe freely.

 7) Towel used for catching can be wrapped cape style around the bird, restraining wings and feet in towel, second hand gently restrains birds wings against its body.

a) Edge of towel should be even with birdís upper eyelid or just below the nare so beak is visible.

  8) Large bird can be cradled between technicianís arm and body. Lower forearm can be used to press wings gently against birdís body.

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