The AVIATOR Pet Bird Harness and Leash: Small Red

I waited a few weeks to write the review to really test it out.So I bought this for my 3 month old double yellow headed Amazon thinking I would try it out after trying out 2 other types of harnesses on my other birds. I thought If nothing else I would use it to get him used to wearing it while he was young and if he chewed it up while learning that would be okay, because I would buy another when he is full grown. The one I ordered had said it was right size for yellow naped Amazon, so I figured it would fit him for a few more months since double yellow heads are a bit bigger...Boy was I wrong. In just the 2 weeks from the time I received it his head has already grown too big to fit. This is by no means the sellers fault in this, but my own.In the past I had ordered different types of harness for my cockatiels and although I liked the other kind of harnesses the each lacked the durability that I wanted for a larger bird. As for the fact this one is all one piece when others I had were harder to put on. This one is durable at least the harness itself. It is a very thick material and I feel like it would take a long time for him to chew it up if he ever wanted to, although I plan to teach him not to and so far he hasn’t tried to chew. The leash part think could be a little thicker. It’s thick enough and I would trust it for one of my smaller birds but for one like him I wouldn’t trust it not to last through a good chewing session. At the same time I don’t plan to have him in it without constant supervision to let there be a chew session, and I always have back up such as a bird carrier backpack. I also know I wouldn’t leave him unattended long enough to chew.I also love that there’s not all these complicated parts that make it take even longer to get it on as others I have tried out. And for a bird who still isn’t full grown I felt like this was much safer then others in being against the crop. It doesn’t pull in the chest area which I appreciate.We did have a blast the first time I got him in it and was able to take him for a walk around the yard to check the mail and it was nice to finally get him out without being in a carrier. He had fun talking to neighbors passing by, charming them with yelling out “hello” to them and he had me laughing with babbling away excitedly whenever he saw something new. I can’t wait to take him out again.He wasn’t too happy when I first put it on him even if we had been getting him used to touching his wings and being wrapped up with a towel. He did enjoy being out and now he doesn’t mind us draping it onto him while formula feeding, since his head doesn’t fit that’s all we can do with it now.I will be buying a larger one soon. This is great to have if you have the time to spend to get your bird to wear it, and it is probably the best made easiest one to put on of those I have tried.

I have been using the Aviator Harness since 2008. My birds all have clipped wings,but to keep them safe,the harness is the best option when taking them outside for a walk.Right now, it will take about a month to receive your order. It is worth the wait.My birds learned to wear the harness quickly and don't mind wearing their harnesses.

Update: Boo played with the clasp and somehow tightened this around his chest. When I loosened it and attempted to get it back over his head, he panicked. Now he's scared of this harness. It just takes once- so practice on a stuffed animal if you have to!I got an Aviator for Misha our Moluccan cockatoo, and it is MUCH easier to get on a larger bird, and 1-2 inches of looseness don't mean the difference between escaping or getting tangled like they do a smaller bird.When we were younger (10 years ago or so), my goffins cockatoo Boo, used to go out with me everywhere. I decided to purchase this harness after letting his wings grow for the first time and seeing how much fun he had flying around our bird-proof home. I can't bear to clip them so severely short again. I also read some horror stories on FaceBook and thru a local parrot rescue about clipped birds being stolen while out, flying off in gusts of wind, getting spooked and running into streets, etc. With the warm weather, I could tell that Boo was missing going out to eat and for walks like we used to.I purchased 2 grey Aviator harnesses for Boo and our adopted goffin, Arthur.The DVD didn't work with my Mac system - it appears to be formatted for TV sets without the option to play on a computer.Arthur is an exceptionally large goffins (around 400 grams, he is heavy boned and muscular), and it didn't seem to fit over his head very easily. I never did get it on him. He freaks out when his eyes are touched, and this couldn't fit over his big head with enough room to spare without touching his little bug eyes. I still have hopes that after he sees Boo getting so much attention with it on that he will tolerate it being slipped over his head. I might try the larger size.Boo, the goffins who I've had my whole adult life (13+ years) is smaller/more normal sized and the harness *did* go over his head. Once THAT was out of the way, this was easy to get on. He bit at me while I tightened it up, but it was quick to get on so serious damage to my fingers :-)Boo plucks, and he picks at this harness. I think he would pick at anything, though. At least he cannot get it off!Walking is awkward but not impossible with the way the leash hangs off the side/bottom. We're getting used to that.Getting it off his head is also a little awkward.As of this review, I've had it on Boo twice. Although he doesn't like it, he's accepts it, and I was pleasantly surprised that he let me put it on him again (and it was easier, the second time).He really had fun going for a walk and screaming at people in their yards, so hopefully that positively reinforced his experience. It was just like old times, except that he wasn't able to jump on strangers so easily! The second time he picked at it less than the first, so I hope that he'll start acting more normal with it on. Both times really tired him out like nothing else, and it's nice to have a quiet calm cockatoo! I really can't wait to start going out with him more regularly (Arthur will be jealous, and might learn thru observation).I would totally recommend this harness. It's quick and relatively easy to get on, and gives you amazing freedom to safely include your companion bird in more social activities.

I just took outside my lesser sulphur crested cockatoo for the first time in his life. I've always handled his wings and his beak and rubbed his tummy so getting the harness on was simple. The head opening has to be pulled over his beak and over the eyes. Then the wings go in with the harness extended with as much room as possible. Looked great--pretty blue on white bird. The construction of the harness is very good and I'm glad I didn't get an inexpensive one. So we went outside for the first time in his life. By the way, he's 60 years old.

This was a bit of a silly purchase. My bird hated it, she's a rainbow Lori. I will give three stars because it was a quality product, but it was very hard to put on. It was also very hard to take off. I don't really recommend it for those reasons. I'm sure if you could train your bird to use this, It's great. But it's not something I have patience for.