As the owner of a five year old Senegal parrot named Kendra, I quickly noticed that my bird could qualify for an Olympic medal in digestion. Although a small bird (less than 120 grams), Kendra can conjure up a green pile of digested matter once every 20 minutes, on average. As a bird who spends a significant amount of time on members of my family, the poop problem posed some challenges.
We tried the FlightSuit out to see how useful it could be for some parrot owners. The FlightSuit is shaped like a jumpsuit with elastic straps and velcro to help position it on your bird. It comes with a package of “diapers” that looks like rounded tea bags. These diapers can be changed easily and are absorbent and seem to hold approximately 20 ml of liquid.
The FlightSuit is a fashionable accessory with an array of colors. It comes with a matching leash that makes taking your parrot outdoors with you a safer prospect. However, we had a very difficult time convincing our bird to put it on. The procedure for dressing your bird in the FlightSuit requires that you slip the suit under its belly, pull the wings through the elastic, and close everything up using the Velcro tabs. Only the calmest birds will allow their owners to do this, and it would be a good idea to introduce very young birds to this suit before they develop an attitude, and sharper beaks! Thank goodness we toilet trained our bird early on, and don’t need this accessory.
From a very early age (approximately 12 weeks) we observed Kendra’s routine and began to understand her body language prior to a release, and the triggers that were likely to provoke an asynchronous episode. She would be held over a piece of paper and when she went, we would say the word “poop” and praise her excessively for her achievements. Within a few months, Kendra was almost completely toilet trained. Although the odd accident still occurs, when we pick her up we immediately place her over a piece of paper and give the command. Patience is needed, but it’s not difficult to toilet train your bird. In closing, the FlightSuit may be useful for bird owners who wish to allow their birds freedom of the house. Only young and highly trusting birds will let you put this suit on them. It may be easier to toilet train your bird instead.