Revisiting Macaws flying at Fisher Towers

We bring the Calico Macaw parrots and others back to Fisher Towers one year later for another fly in October 2007. Snicket (Sun Conure) and Siren (Calico) also make first flight in such environments. Do not try this unless properly trained. Freeflight training classes at www.libertywings.com

[@poppykok5]

WOW WOW WOW...I'm actually crying...Such a powerfully emotional piece...Thank You...

[@hankmacaw]

Your birds have the best of both worlds. The fun and freedom of flying and then the comfort, care and safety of people who care so much for them. I have two GW macaws, but neither will ever free fly, because they both have chronic lung/heart disease. I let them stay outside as much as possible and they love even that much freedom. My heart crys for my birds every time I watch yours fly.

[@chihuahuabulldog]

GORGEOUS! I also enjoyed the slo-mo. When you were calling Siren, it was as if she was saying, "In a minute, just one more time, I'll be right there...." This video brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your kindness to the birds, and for sharing.

[@johansen2004]

Awesome vid, awesome birds, awesome owners! This vid is truly great and was fun to watch! I never thought that these parrots would come back stright to you hands. You did a wonderful job with them. I am sure it is rewarding.

[@chrisbiro1]

Thanks for the kind comments. I am glad you enjoy our videos. Chris

[@shadowfaxx1]

It is fantastic that you allow them to fly free sometimes! What great owners you are!

[@chrisbiro1]

Some interesting things happen when you have flighted parrots. 1st, if they are raised flighted, they learn to use their voice for what it is for, to communicate over long distances. They don't just scream to scream. 2nd, you gain an appreciation for that voice after spend some time searching for loose parrots and wishing they would scream occasionally. Chris

[@bigbiemacaw]

I try encourage my bird to keep calling back by making a similar sound to him..so far so good he gets it he’s only 7 months so still has a lot to learn ..I hat flying him alone I’ll get a gw neaxt spring I’m not mad about the hybrid..he’s very different to any bird I’ve worked with he has no natural fear...so I’m curious to see if a green wing will be different..plus they’ll be able to watch each other’s backs..

[@chrisbiro1]

I have been flying parrots outdoors since 1993 and so far have lost only one. I fly about 12 parrots on a regular basis. The one I lost was due to my own mistakes. I let the circumstances cause me to miss some things I knew better than to miss. Chris

[@catalinabravo-vilches2686]

thank you. someone who finally free flies a bird! i strongly encourage free flying

[@chrisbiro1]

Occasionally we see hawks and eagles in both Moab and here in Washington state. They are a fact of flying parrots that we must come to terms with. Usually they are not a serious threat but there is always that chance that they will be. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

@33Blackswan Many people's parrots live at home in a cage while their owners are at work. They can handle this. If freeflight is part of their life then taking them out flying when you get home will be the highlight of their day and you will be that much more of a hero to them. You both will have something fun to do together that you both look forward to each day. Chris

[@KrisM2010]

i think this is so amazing. and your birds must obviously love and trust you guys so much to come back like that, they know where home is! it also must be sych an amazing experience for both you and them. best of luck to you guys. love from chicago.

[@ZomgieBec]

I love your videos and am a huge fan of what you are doing. I grew up with cockatiels who were affectionate and great pets but in no way flight/outdoor trained. I then decided to adopt an (adult) Indian Ring Neck parrot, and really enjoyed training him. As well as all the silly tricks I eventually got to the point where he was great at indoor free flight and coming when called. One day I would LOVE to be able to have a bird trained for outdoor free flight. Your website is great!!

[@chrisbiro1]

@VLS1998t We take them through a serious of locations that helps them learn to keep their focus on our location. The Fisher Towers road area we are flying in this video is only level 2 of 5 levels in that process. Once they master each level we are pretty confident in their abilities. Chris

[@putopat]

those birds are realy happy! thank you for sharing this. peace

[@chrisbiro1]

Absolutely we notice differences. The flight trained birds are much more active and capable of thinking on their own to handle problems. Of course our guys get lots of fly time so this may be more a function of the time they get to spend on their own rather than their actual flight skills. But the life style we offer them creates a very different bird from what most people keep as pets. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

They are very similar in my experience. Bother conures and macaws are eager to work for their favorite goodies and are smart enough to quickly figure out what you are asking them to do to earn that goody. As to my preference for outdoor flying, that would be with macaws due to their larger size, thus increased safety from predators. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

@opussucks Our approach to dealing with hawks is physical fitness, peak flying skills, flying as a flock, and good rally point recognition and return skills. Essentially we let them deal with the hawks with the tools nature provides wild parrots. Our job is simply to insure they have the full set of skills and they are practiced and refined. We recognize that at some point will loose birds to hawks but it has not happened so far even though we have seen numerous hawk encounters since 1993. Chris

[@SurroundedByGreen]

What an amazing video!!!! I so wish I could do this with my Macaw! I want to build her a corn crib style outdoor cage so she can climb limbs and be a part of the outdoors. Amazing trainers you are!

[@chrisbiro1]

Thanks. Glad you enjoy them. Chris

[@lambchoprmajg]

So beautiful to watch AND they came back. Love seeing such big birds have a big fly must make them so happy made me happy watching. :-D

[@1monikae]

Your videos are beautiful!! Thank you for sharing them!

[@chrisbiro1]

@majorhorsenut Well part of how I train them is to work with them at the same age they would learn to fly in the wild. But just because you raise them from babies does not mean they will not fly off. There is more to this process than just raising a baby bird and letting it loose. Some people have done that and been lucky. But if we get serious and look closely at what needs to happen, we can help set them up to be successful and dramatically reduce the risks. Chris

[@neofuture]

AMAZING, ive kept birds before and have decided to ger a green wing the amount of people who say "its cruel they should be free" well your video prooves the fact they can be free... if these birds wanted freedom then wouldnt come back !!! to there owners, i hope one day i can free fly my green wing, who knows !! THANK YOU for such an amazing video, and showing exactly what i wanted to see... freedom and companionship !!! and more importantly understanding ! Inspired

[@chrisbiro1]

@kritas01 Lost tail feathers will certainly restrict how well she can slow to land and will affect her ability to maneuver but I doubt it will slow down her interest in flying. As the tail feathers grow back out she will simply become a better flyer. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

Thanks. There is always some tension with the first flight outdoors, you never do really know what will happen. But if you have done your training correctly up to this point, the bird is only outdoors because you know it is ready. The bird has already mastered the skills it will need to make those first short flights and most of the skills needed if it takes a longer than intended flight. So if you do it right, there should not be much worry for those first flights. Chris

[@Tagurrit]

Amazing. The Blue throats look very much like my Blue and Golds and they sound EXACTLY the same! I have a Quaker named Snicket (her mate is Remeny). My three Sun's are Joey and (2) Mango's. All are rescued as well as most of our other 15 birds (only one isn't a rescue). I wish I could free flight them. I'm building a large aviary this year so that they can fly some but I'm limited to how big I can make it. We don't clip wings so they all can fly.

[@Macawsarepeople]

in the early days, because ours is a little brat, she would fly into trees and stay there all day while we developed stiff necks. she always came down before sunset but she was prissy about it, but crows would heckle her at first, he pinched one really hard and now they basically abandon the branch she's on.

[@chrisbiro1]

I don't know if you mean to caution me or someone else, but I have been flying parrots out doors since 1993. Flying away is the last thing I worry about. I can train to prevent that problem. Hawks, power lines, dogs, other people, etc. Those are the real threats we have to worry about. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

Hawks a threat we must take into consideration every time we fly. Wild parrots are not heavily predated by hawks and neither are our pet flying parrots. Over the past 20 years I have witnessed my parrots out fly over 30 hawk attacks but no fatalities. When you consider how much flying we actually do, this is a small threat potential. The actual danger of injury or death from predation is serious but the chances of injury or death are slim. Think struck by lightening. Serious but unlikely. Chris

[@thespectra]

beautiful people, beautiful birds

[@chrisbiro1]

Watch the Buckle video and note the ages listed. Of course flight training is an ongoing training project that never is completed. Chris

[@ultramaximusreviews]

I'd love to train a Blue and Gold but would be too afraid of him getting hurt or lost - very majestic!

[@majornewb]

Birds are so good at flying, I wanna be one

[@The72challenger]

Smart...taking 'em to fly where there's no trees and miles of open sky...macaws and a conure in Moab...that's the first time that's happened in at least...oh I'd say a billion years....my fave is the lil conure snicket. But man those are all some of the most Godly beautiful birds in the Universe.

[@freemancarl]

Beautiful Birds! Awesome Trainers! Cheers! :)

[@gtrfghjy]

This amazing! I'd like to allow their macaw so fly free. But once my gw macaw was scared crow that flew. And my Martin flew away from me very far. I looked for him for many hours. Thank God - I found him! But since my macaw tied behind his paw while we walk.

[@maryelizabeth1345]

my conure loves watching this.

[@chrisbiro1]

Calico macaws are a cross between a military macaw and a greenwing. The shamrock macaw is a cross between military and scarlet. Chris

[@SurroundedByGreen]

@chrisbiro1 Thank you! Your aviaries are great, as are your birds! Thanks again!

[@chrisbiro1]

@MrFrank440 Thanks for the comment and interest. You begin by reading everything on my website - libertywings com Ff you are really interested in learning the science behind what we do, you take one our flight training classes. Chris

[@italpe1]

@Mr291229 The only difference is although macaws have one powerful beak with lots of psi, a hawk has two equally damaging "beaks" with 500 psi on each leg which aims for the neck and have longer reaches.Known as talons. But I still love Chris Biro's work

[@Sadie8D]

that is so completely AMAZING

[@chrisbiro1]

@RickyRazzel We train them at the same age they would learn to fly in the wild. There are some other early developmental processes I want to make sure are addressed properly so I like to get them a bit sooner. At about 6 weeks is what I consider ideal. Chris

[@lareinadelasaves]

I love macaws I have 3 macaws Chris ans Susan are my idolos! congratulatioms!!!!!

[@mzbs17]

Gorgeous!

[@Giordani25]

wow this is so cool! And beautifull backgrounds./landscape. I would really like to visit USA In Holland we call the Macaws...Ara Greetings from Amsterdam

[@mattxr2i]

I so want to train my macaws to do this. I have 2 blue and golds and I would love to see them fly... and then come back lol.

[@chrisbiro1]

Yes maroon bellies are smart enough to learn to fly well in the house. But as small bird they are more at risk to predators because there are more predators out there that hunt such small birds. They would be much more safe if flying in a flock so there are more eyes watching for trouble. But they would make great indoor flyers. That small size means they can get in lots of great flying in the house, unlike a large macaw. Chris

[@hankmacaw]

Magnificent! Both of mine have compromised respiratory systems and they will never be able to fly. Makes me very sad, but seeing yours makes up for it a little. Niosy devils aren't they?

[@tolimx]

Beautiful

[@manjelatari-best3333]

Cool hybrid macaws

[@notoriginals]

Amazing vids and work!! Beautiful! :D

[@MegaBelych]

Птицы суперские. Им надо летать.

[@chrisbiro1]

@MrDKkelly I don't use a harness nor do I recommend you do. I prefer to approach the training such that a harness is not needed. Over the years I have worked with a lot of parrots. I currently fly about 25. If you approach the training correctly, you can have them flying outdoors within a few weeks. If you really want to learn how to do this I would encourage you to read everything on my website and if possible take our flight training classes. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

Many were given to us. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

@Mr291229 Hawks are always a threat to consider. The larger Northern Goshawk can take a macaw. But more likely to be an issue of concern is the hawk taking up chase and not catching the parrot but scaring out of the area. Unless your bird is well trained in how to find its way back, this can be a serious problem. Over the past 17 years of flying I have watched my guys out fly about 30 hawk encounters so far, with no fatalities yet. it is probably just a matter of time though. Chris

[@tuib]

Thrilling. Terrifying. I forgot to breathe!

[@chrisbiro1]

@cero815 Snakes are not much of a concern. Hawks are of concern but if the bird is properly trained and in peak physical condition, it can do as well avoiding hawks as its wild counter parts. In flying parrots since 1993 I have observed my birds out fly over 30 hawk attacks and with zero fatalities so far. Chris

[@cero815]

GREAT !!!! That's what I love to see: birds flying!!! If I had parrots I'd also love to do this. But arent you afraid youir parrots land near a snake or of a preybird attacking from above?!

[@mysweetybird]

Wow, these are fabulous birds. Loved the video very much. I have a sun 2yrs, an M2-16 yrs, U2-4 or 5 about 30 small birds. I love to let them fly indoors or I clip and let them play togher. Lots of ladders etc. They love the outings very much. I would love to be able to let all of my friends fly free like yours do. Usually, just short outdoor flights=gliding in my backyard. Do you take in rescues? We do fairly often. Great video and will look up your how tos. People need to see videos like this

[@mattxr2i]

@chrisbiro1 Will do. I actually have 3 bg's right now. One of them is a foster from Wings Over The Rainbow here in Dayton, Oh. I love them so much :-) I would really love to see my babies do what they were intended to do. Open their beautiful wings, and fly :-)

[@chrisbiro1]

@slash74537 Please read every article on my website, especially those related to clicker training. Also read a small book called "Don't Shoot The Dog" by Karen Pryor. Clicker training is very simple but there are a few things you need to understand. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

Lets talk about it when you are closer to getting out of the military. One never knows what might work out. Chris

[@krainekraine]

This is absolutely amazing. How long did it take you to flight them? They're beautiful birds.

[@thefirstlegendsarchive7648]

I love macaws

[@chrisbiro1]

@sangam061289 Many species of parrots are disappearing from the wild, and for many reasons. But not due to our having hand raised baby parrots. We raise each baby ourselves. In some cases the only reason the species will survive will be due to people like us who have pet parrots and raise them. What we are learning from keeping and training these birds to fly the way we do will probably help put domestically raised parrots back into the wild to help save them from extinction.

[@chrisbiro1]

@kritas01 The song is my creation. When I first switched to Mac, I spent the first several hours playing with software it came with called Garage Band. This song was the result. It is the only song I have created though. It is nice to hear of your birds flying success. I hope the info on my website libertywings com will be helpful to you. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

I would encourage you to learn about clicker training. The idea comes from the science of Operant Conditioning. Every behavior that is reinforced is more likely to reoccur. So if I make nice friendly behavior reinforcing to the bird, that is what I will get more of. This is also how we train our birds to fly. We use the same rules for flight training that we use to tame the birds. We reinforce good behavior with favorite treats, security, and friendly behavior of our own. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

for outdoor flight, the noisier the better! Chris

[@MrFrank440]

I would really like my blue gold macaw Ralphie to experience this. Amazing video. Looks like they are enjoying flying. Where do I begin?

[@leslieramanismith]

super cool!

[@rachelpaige7765]

I WISH I HAD A MACAW BUT THEIR SO EXPENSIVE

[@sohrabian4984]

i love macaws

[@bossman762x39]

absolutely amazing . great job . just curious i dont own birds ive only delt with them when freinds had them but have u had any situaitons of like other wild birds trying to get close to ur birds or attack them? or snakes ?

[@tylergreenwood15]

I love how good you guys are with your birds!! i have been thinking about try this but kinda nervous. any tips? and have you ever lost a bird ?

[@souravmishra906]

I like this 😘😘😘

[@chrisbiro1]

@roxile7 We did not buy our Calicos, they were given to us by a breeder who no longer is breeding birds. Chris

[@chrisbiro1]

@SurroundedByIdiots07 You can see photos of our birds in our 30x100 ft aviary by visiting our website libertywings com, go to the photo page and then following the flicker link. This may give you some ideas. Chris

[@pattyinla]

Im hooked on your videos,your birds are awesome. I have never heard of a calico macaw...is that a cross between 2 hybrids?

[@DAAC86]

awesome video i most say and i really love all of your birds and its really great what you do whit them i would love to do the same whit my red lored amazon but alittle hard when i live in a little land and in a town.

[@chrisbiro1]

@mkzen777 I have watched my birds outfly hawks on several occasions. Most prey birds CAN out fly a hawk IF they see it soon enough to get up to speed. People often have the wrong impression about predators ability to kill their prey. Most predators rely on killing the weak: very young, elderly or the ill. If the predator could so easily kill healthy prey then there would be a burst of predator numbers until there were no prey left. For our birds full skill development and peak fitness is key.

[@33Blackswan]

you guys are amazing trainers! I'd like to get another bird one day. How much time do you need to spend with your bird in a day. What is a safe amount of time to leave them alone when you go to work?

[@chrisbiro1]

@bossman12334 No snake problems but I have witnessed over 40 hawk encounters with my birds. Just last week we had to peregrine falcon incidents, the first our birds chased the falcon from the valley and the second the falcon chased 4 of our birds. All our birds came back unharmed. But we know that it is possible for the predator to win and we may someday lose a bird to such an incident. I personally think the rewards are worth the risks so that is why I continue to fly them every day.

[@candypaint9603]

AWESOME ! ☺

[@aguavirtual]

great video thnks

[@arvinbhangu]

I got scared there for a munite, I thought you were letting your birds go. I wish I could train my macaw to do that without flying away. Not gonna take any chances!

[@aboudqadi]

beatifull

[@RickyRazzel]

What age do you start your flight training...I think what you are doing is awesome.....!!!!!

[@RickyRazzel]

@chrisbiro1 I think this is an awesome thing you are doing...Keep up the good work some people know nothing about what they are saying...Pesimistic people suck...:-) Good Job...Thumbs up for sure!!!!!

[@ofins]

hi i think its amazinge how the macaws can fly so far and come back i was wondering how do you get the to come back because i had a cocatiel and it flew away and it came three days after

[@PinkSaltire08]

this was lovely to see ppl should'nt have birds cooped up in cages and the house, but it did make me nervous lol i was thinking Siren would'nt come back but he did , good job, hows this done?

[@chrisbiro1]

@yukio2121 Your bird sounds like it is not yet ready to be loose outdoors. It sounds like he needs to spend more time in a cage outdoors but with a place in the cage to feel secure and hidden. That way he can come out as he is comfortable and ready. I might put a cardboard box in the cage such that he can hide inside the box if he likes or to out observing the environment inside the cage.

[@MrDKkelly]

Damn man how much birds do you have...and how long have you been working with them...im looking into getting a BG myself and i dont want to clip his/her wings how long did it take for them to actually go out there without a harness in that wide open space and come back to you??

[@spdjag]

Hi! Im a fan of your free flying birds here in the Philippines! You and your birds are great! Me too have a free flying sun conure. im planning to own a macaw. Im just wondering if its possible to a blue and gold macaw to be my sun conure's flying buddy. Will there be any conflict? Will they fight? By the way the macaw that im going to get is about 5 months old. Hope you can help me on this. God Bless!

[@animalkindness]

I have a cockatiel that I am hand raising ,its about 3 months now and I have taken it to parks for the past month to fly free, it Does fly and it gets on top of tree branches, When I call it, it always comes, but I have to scream really loud, and thats kind of embarresing, I just wanted to know if I could train it to listen to a silent Dog whistle, or can only dogs hear that?

[@VLS1998t]

How do you know when birds are ready to fly like this? I have a Cockateil and she flys freely out side my house (when im there of course) and im special occasions we let her fly around our local park. The Never seems to Go anywhere but I dont know what she would do in a valley like that. Do you just have to trust them enough?

[@shnookey1979]

Did you train your birds with a leash and harness at all for thier first trips outside? I have a Miligold and Green Wing. Hope to have a Calico and a few others in the future. I've always wanted to train free flight. But sooo nervous about the idea of them flying off! At what age do you usually allow thier first real outdoor flight?

[@kpkumquat]

i have a maroon bellied conure and he does short flights (15 feet) between my husband and i indoors and outdoors. his wings are kept mostly trimmed. do you think the maroon belly conures are intelligent enough to follow the training recommended (i.e. clicker and positive reinforcement) that may lead to more free flight? i notice the smallest bird shown trained in your videos is the sun conure.

[@beckylara9606]

Way cool! Do the macaws still live around here? We're at Rock Castle and just saw 5 of them hanging out in the trees.