Wing Clipping

Wing clipping is the trimming of a bird's primary wing feathers so that it cannot fly fully, a condition that lasts until the bird molts, sheds the cut feathers, and grows new ones. It is typically carried out by avian veterinarians, pet store employees, breeders, or the bird's own owner, most often on pet birds such as parrots, and is also practiced on domestic chickens. Performed correctly it is painless and is distinct from pinioning, which removes part of the wing by amputation, though wing clipping is not harmless: it can lead to injury from falls and has been linked to psychological distress in the bird.