At 5 weeks old can handfed pacific parrotlets fly?

Question

not as strongly as adult birds of course, but are they able to flutter around?

Answer 1

I believe parrotlets usually fledge between four and five weeks.  They should be allowed to really perfect their flight skills before their wings are trimmed (if they will be trimmed).  Many breeders then clip the two outermost feathers on each wing, allow the bird to get used to it for a couple of days and then clip another two feathers on each wing.  They continue in this fashion until the bird can glide comfortably to the ground (rather than drop like a stone).

Colette

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