A bird’s ability to fly is an inherent characteristic that protects the bird and keeps it from harm. Here’s everything you need to know about birds flying.

How do birds fly?

Those little twiggy things that protrude out of the end of a bird’s body are the first birds flying component that are necessary to get a bird off of the ground. By twigs, we are referring to bird legs. A bird’s legs are made of hollow bones, which give the bird more strength to push off for landings. It also helps the bird absorb shock when it lands.

Bird flying also requires immense help from a bird’s wings. The wings can be maneuvered in such a way to catch the air and give the bird lift. The breast of the bird carries enough muscle mass that it can pull the wings back and forth, which keeps the bird moving in the air.

Pet birds and bird flying

Pet birds can fly, but many breeders will recommend that you prevent your birds flying for the safety and protection of the bird. Pet birds are kept in cages for a reason. If they’re left out and are able to fly, they will get themselves into trouble. Houses are not bird safe. They have windows and doors that birds can escape from. They also have ceiling and attic fans, which can suck up or severely injure and even kill a bird.

The truth is, you’re going to have to let your bird out of its cage at some point. Birds need to leave the cage when it needs to be clean and, if you have a social bird, you’re going to want to take it out for visits. To keep from birds flying in the house when it’s out of its cage, make sure its wings are clipped. Clipping literally is a haircut of sorts for the bird’s wings. When the wings are too short, they can’t fly.

You can get your bird clipped at a pet store, by a breeder or at a bird store. You can also do it yourself if you want to keep birds flying from flying with they’re out of their cage. If you do it yourself, remember to wait to clip the wings until the bird is mature. As birds get older, they get a better sense of balance, which helps them reconfigure themselves after their wings have been clipped to prevent birds flying.