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* Self-adjusting elastic cord leash lets birds fly in safety
* Included DVD video features training and use instructions
*See sizing and available colors below. Select from drop down above*
Let your bird safely enjoy the benefits of outdoor flight. Unique, one-piece flight harness and attached elastic cord leash offers your bird safe, escape-proof flight. Unlike most flight suits and harnesses that feature multiple buckles and clips, the Aviator's single plastic buckle design helps prevent injury to your bird during use. Plus, it is easy to install - simply slide the harness over your bird's head, gently pull his wings through the harness body, and pull the lead to tighten the belt to your bird's mid-section. Harness is made of supple nylon for added comfort and fewer pressure points when compared to other flight harnesses. Elastic, bungee cord-style lead helps prevent injury if your bird flies to the end of the leash. Features a wrist-loop for convenient, drop-free use. Includes a DVD instruction video loaded with helpful training and use instructions. Recommended sizing is below. Please specify size and color.
Petite
Parakeets, Small Indian Ringneck, Cockatiels, Small Conures (Green Cheek, Brown Throat, etc)
XSmall
Quakers, Senegal, Doves, Medium Parakeets, Rainbow Lories, Rosella, Noble Macaw, Large Conures (Sun, Jenday, Nanday, etc.)
Small
Amazons, Timneh Grey, Yellow Collar Macaw, Small Cockatoos (Goffins, Major Mitchell, Galah, Lesser Sulfer), Large Parakeets, Chattering Lori, Pionus
Medium
Eclectus, Medium Macaws (Severe, Red Fronted), Large Amazons (Double Yellow, Yellow Nape, etc.), Umbrella Cockatoos, Congo Grey
Large
Large Macaws, Triton, Small Moluccan
XLarge
Moluccan, Green Winged Macaws, Hyacinths
Features
* Easily fits a wide range of birds from small parakeets to large macaws.
* One piece design reduces the multitudes of dangerous buckles and clips that distract and injure birds.
* Elastic leash safely absorbs impact shock and keeps birds from being injured if they unexpectedly fly to the end of the leash.
* Elastic leash cording reduces the total harness weight - especially on small birds. Some harnesses can weigh as much as the bird!
* Fewer pressure contact points on bird. The Aviator is made of the least amount of material of any harness.
* Specially engineered collar hugs the neck keeping the strap from sliding toward the wing and annoying your pet. The Aviator special collar design is the only harness that allows birds to safely wear the harness with food in their crop.
* Self-adjusting leash changes orientation as bird moves around handler. Automatically adjusts from the chest to the back as the bird climbs and flies.
* Includes DVD showing:
o How to easily install and safely use the Aviator
o Training your pet to love the Aviator
o Teaching an old bird new tricks
o Teaching your bird to fly outside with the Aviator
o Positive personality changes to expect
Use Instructions
The Aviator will improve your companion's life experience for years to come. Take time to read, understand and follow instructions to ensure a positive experience. After reading instructions, view the DVD version. Take your time; your efforts will be rewarded for a lifetime.
Do not show your companion the Aviator until you completely read and understand the introduction phase and installation process. Proper introduction of the harness to your bird is crucial to the success of The Aviator.
NOTE: Even though you can easily install The Aviator on most young birds it is important to follow the introductions. Sometimes young birds reluctantly allow a negative experience several times before they start to resist. At this point, it can become very difficult to change his mind. You may not know you made a mistake until it is too late. ONLY use the Aviator when your bird will be having a fun experience. If he is having fun, he will soon forget the harness and associate the Aviator as a positive experience. Do not put the harness on to get him used to wearing it. He will get used to wearing it while having a rewarding experience.
Preparing your pet to meet The Aviator
1. Most birds allow the owner to pet under the wing but few birds experience their wings being held up when nothing else is going on. Birds normally do not like this position, they feel vulnerable to predators. Work with your pet until he allows you to hold his wing straight up for a few seconds. The exercise will progress faster if you gently pet his side when doing this exercise. As soon as he resists, let the wing down. Try this several times a day, a few seconds each time.
2. Most birds never had anything placed over their head or around their neck. Practice wrapping your hand around his head and neck as though you are slipping the harness over his head. Using a toy that is familiar to your pet, approach his head touching and rubbing his beak, head and neck. Start with a favorite toy. Once he freely accepts the exercise try different toys.
3. Do not attempt to put the Aviator on until he is familiar with it. Introduce your pet to the harness in the same way you would introduce a new toy. This is easy for birds that look forward to new toys. For the others the slow approach is necessary and can take several days.
Suggestions:
* For difficult pets place the Aviator in sight and slowly move closer to your pet over a few days.
* Wrap harness around your wrist or neck when you are with your companion.
* Lay the Aviator on a table or the top of the cage where the bird will end up standing or walking on it.
* As you play with your pet alternately lay the harness and leash on and around him.
* Hang the Aviator in the cage just as you would a new toy.
Placing the Aviator on your bird
The first few times you put on the Aviator will be a learning experience for you and your pet. The biggest inconvenience he is likely to experience is being pushed off balance while you learn to tighten the belt. If the experience begins to get frustrating for you or your pet, stop and try again later.
1. Expand the belt of the harness, pulling leash through, slide to a diameter large enough so that after you slip the belt and collar over the bird's head, you can pull one wing through the space.
2. Place the bird in front of you on a stable surface. Right-handed owners face your pet to your right.
3. Orient harness assembly so the back of the harness is on top and the expanded belt loop is directly in front of your bird.
4. Move harness assembly toward bird passing the belt loop first and the collar second over your bird's head until the belt is around the wings and the collar rests on the neck.
5. With collar in place around the bird's neck, pick up left wing and pull through space between belt and collar.
6. Pull the belt to the right side of the bird until it is tight against the left side. Pull the right wing through space.
7. Tighten belt by pulling leash through slide. Tighten until belt is snug around the waist leaving just enough space to insert your index finger, between the bird and belt, on a medium size bird. Space is necessary for the bird to breath and for the slide to rotate from the chest to back.
Using the Aviator Harness and Leash
Most birds need to learn two things about the Aviator. First, he will catch his toes in the belt as he tries to grab it with his foot. Second, he will need to learn the concept that there is a limit to the length of the leash. With a little help he will learn to get his toe unhooked and that, the leash has limits.
Your bird can learn to fly in a circle on the end of the leash for extended distances. Direction of flight is determined by which side of the bird the slide is on. The slide should be on the side of the bird facing the handler when flying. This allows the belt to self adjust as the bird moves.
Never leave a bird unattended while wearing a harness.
