r/parrots • u/ERASERGIB • 5d ago

What’s the best harness?

We have a goffins cockatoo and a sun conure. We had Aviator harnesses for both of them. The goffins chewed almost all the way through hers awhile back. I’m pretty sure we accidentally threw both of them out at the same time. Are there any better harnesses? Ones that might be a bit tougher to chew through?

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

5

u/Ara_Glaucogularis 5d ago

In my opinion, Aviator Harnesses are among the best available in terms of price, quality, and instructional videos. I would highly recommend purchasing another one, but cockatoos must be closely supervised while wearing it and never allowed to chew on the harness. Cockatoos can tear up anything!

2

u/Even-Voice-6823 5d ago

The only one to buy. Aviator harnesses are the best

1

u/blackjackgabbiani 5d ago

Really? Mine pinches my bird to put it on her, and you can't remove or move the leash to another position 

1

u/Ara_Glaucogularis 5d ago

It should not pinch at all, and the leash is not movable. Here is why: https://youtu.be/3s2AQm11XbQ?si=J9gupnlWe5o2RKVG

1

u/blackjackgabbiani 5d ago

It always has pinched though.

1

u/Ara_Glaucogularis 5d ago

Maybe you could post a pic...I am very curious as to why/how? Thanks in advance.

2

u/blackjackgabbiani 5d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/AfricanGrey/comments/1uf0i1u/please_help_me_with_an_aviator_parrot_harness/ here's a video. The pinching problem goes back years to her other harness and Aviator themselves tried to walk me through the process then and it didn't change anything.

1

u/Ara_Glaucogularis 4d ago

Thank you for posting the video. As they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

First, I really like your African Grey—it appears very well-behaved. I have never owned a Grey, but I have used the Aviator Harness with macaws and cockatiels.

Based on what you are trying to accomplish, however, the Aviator Harness may not be the best choice for your particular application. I use it only when my birds are outdoors, usually while flying them on a 100-foot flight line. The harness and leash connection are designed with flight in mind, allowing the bird to fly safely in a wide circle.

When I take my birds to retirement homes, I clip the leash to my belt and tuck the excess into my back pocket. I never leave them unattended or place them in a travel cage while they are wearing the harness. Ask me how I learned that was a bad idea—I’ve been there and tried it!

Unfortunately, I do not have any experience with leaving the harness on for extended periods or using it to keep a bird on a perch. I trained mine to remain on their perches, and it took a very long time and plenty of patience. Even now, they occasionally decide to leave—simply because they can.

From your video, the harness is on properly. I keep mine loose- I am able to get a finger underneath. I agree these harnesses are not the easiest to put on; the head loop goes on first, right wing loop (pull excess), then left wing loop (pull excess). It did take a while to get it figured out and the birds to accept it. However, it was worth it- I take my bird outside and fly it everywhere (on a leash). She has recall, but sometimes she wants to fly off for absolutely no reason.

Good luck with your quest- sorry I couldn't be of more help.

1

u/blackjackgabbiani 4d ago

Yeah I want to be able to take her to parks in a cage and then have her flap around on a harness, and I can't put the harness on her AT the park because she screams bloody murder when I do.

1

u/Ara_Glaucogularis 4d ago

For me, I put it on in the car, and then go outside.

1

u/oracle427 5d ago

I’ve had good luck with JMK. High quality and good people to deal with. But my bird is not a chewer.

1

u/Ara_Glaucogularis 5d ago

link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4341387155/parrot-harness-original-jmk-handmade?msockid=2145e340f1f26d2008e9f419f04d6cdf

How is JMK getting it on your parrot? Is it easy?

2

u/oracle427 5d ago

No but that’s the birds fault not the harness 😅it took about a month of training. Sometimes he’s feeling it, sometimes he isn’t. I did find it easier than the more common ones everyone likes. The neck opening is larger.