Harnesses can be a safe stepping stone between indoor recall and true free-flight. Not every bird will take to it, but for many, it’s the perfect compromise. The 3Ts to Remember: - Tiny Steps → Break it down, never rush. - Time → Sessions should be short and end positive. - Trust → Your bird decides the pace. Step-by-Step Training: 1. Desensitise → Place the harness near the cage or play area so your bird sees it daily. Reward curiosity. 2. Touch & Treat → Let your bird touch or beak the harness, reward instantly. 3. Over the Head → Practice slipping the loop over the head briefly, treat, remove. 4. Wings In → Slowly guide wings through loops one at a time, reward. 5. Short Wear → Let the bird wear it briefly indoors, increase duration over days/weeks. 6. Indoor Sessions → Encourage recall and flight with the harness on. 7. First Outdoor Exposure → Just sit outside with the harness on — don’t fly yet. 8. Controlled Outdoor Flight → Start with leash extension or flight line for semi-free-flight. Build confidence gradually. Recommended Harness Gear: - Aviator Leash Extension → For safe extra range. - Aviator Flight Line → Semi-free-flight practice outdoors. - Trainer’s Pouch → Hands-free, fast rewards. - Easy Perch Holder → Portable outdoor “home base.” Tip: You don’t need them all. Start with just the harness — add gear if you want more freedom or convenience later. Resources Barbara Heidenreich’s Harness Training Video Barbara’s Blog on Harness Training Get the Aviator Harness Here Remember: Harnesses aren’t for every bird — and that’s okay. If yours doesn’t take to it, there are other safe ways to train for outdoor confidence.

Free-flight is beautiful, but it carries real risks. This checklist blends parrot training, falconry insights, and aviation-style risk control. Work through it before every outdoor session. 1) Foundations - Flock bond: Your bird sees you as flock and safe base. - Recall: 100% reliable indoors; whistle or cue paired with marker (“good!”/click). - Feeding strategy: Indoors/crate/home = pellets + veg (e.g., Harrison’s). Outside = nuts/fruit only for recalls and voluntary returns. - Health baseline: Vet cleared + weekly weight log to spot trends. 2) Outdoor Acclimation - Regular crate/home time outdoors until bird is calm: eating, preening, relaxing. - Crate/home always stocked with fresh water + pellets/veg so it feels safe and rewarding. - Gradual noise exposure (cars, kids, dogs, wind, distant crows). 3) Site & Weather - Home base: open sightlines, low canopy, away from roads/wires. - Wind/thermals: Light breeze only; avoid gusts/mid-day thermals. - Temperature guardrails (falconry-inspired): generally 5–28 °C (colder = calorie burn, hotter = overheating). Adjust by species. - Sky scan before each flight (hawks, crows, dogs). - Dusk rule: Always finish ≥2 hours before sunset so returns happen in daylight. 4) Session Flow - Pre-check: Bird keen & responsive, environment secure, weather within limits. - Short & calm: Early sessions = 2–5 minutes of hops/recalls. - High-value pay: Nuts/fruit only outside. Pellets/veg = crate/home meals. - End on a win: Invite back to crate/home → stocked with pellets/veg. Close calmly once inside. - Never chase: Stay at home base; let the bird return by choice. 5) Risk Controls - “Never one more try.” Stop before fatigue or frustration. - Stress signals: panting, shaking, frantic scanning, refusal to eat = stop now. - Distraction ladder: Empty field → light breeze → distant people/dogs → new-but-similar site → busier park. Only climb when recall is rock-solid. - Flight log: Record date, site, wind/temp, reps, recall %, behaviour, lessons. - Buddy system (optional improvement): When possible, have a second person — one flies, one scans. Not always doable, but safer when available.