Flight Restriction in Birds

Policy

NZVA approves of the use of temporary flight restriction by veterinarians or by persons under veterinary guidance. It does not approve the use of permanent flight restriction e.g. the use of pinioning, tendonectomy or patagiectomy, except in circumstances in which conservation efforts and/or outdoor display in zoological parks make permanent restriction the only option.

Explanation

Flight restriction is the use of one or more techniques to prevent rapid and sustained flight in captive birds which could otherwise escape captivity. Specifically, the restriction should aim to:

1. eliminate the possibility of upward flight, and 
2. still allow some horizontal and gliding flight as part of the bird’s normal interactions with other animals in its immediate environment.

Flight restriction may be permanent or temporary. Permanent restriction is most commonly applied to waterfowl as part of conservation efforts and/or outdoor display in zoological parks. Any method of permanent restriction is a significant surgical procedure requiring due attention to anaesthesia, analgesia and animal welfare. Temporary restriction might be used during the rehabilitation of a sick or injured bird, irrespective of the site of treatment, in order to prevent escape while promoting as wide a range as possible of movements by the bird in the time before it recovers sufficiently to be released.

The main actual or potential disadvantages of flight restriction are:

1. an increased possibility of injury to the bird as a result of less efficient flight;
2. an assumption by humans that there is no possibility of the bird escaping by other means;
3. an increased vulnerability to attack by cats, dogs and other predators if the bird does escape; and
4. a delay in the release of a temporarily restricted bird (especially if a raptor) until clipped primary flight feathers are replaced.

A comprehensive document detailing methods of flight restriction can be found on the Wildlife Branch section of the NZVA website (http://www.vets.org.nz/NZVA/SIBs/Wildlife/wildlife.htm).

Policy Files: 

11a - Flight Restriction - 23May07.pdf