We have noticed lately that Cosmo has got quite long claws. We have natural branches in their cage, so I'm not aware of anything more I can do about it. He seems okay in the cage, but out of the cage his claws will snag on anything, like if he's on our shoulder he'll always get caught on our clothes etc.

 

Am I better off just leaving it, or should I try and trim them? Or is there something else I haven't thought of?

I would like to see a photo of the birds feet,I have never had to trim the toe nails on a budgie,post the photo & you will get comments of what to do.

Do you have different width perches, so his feet can't wrap all the way around. I also used to have a thick one running up from the bottom of the cage to a perch, so mine used to climb up it to get to the top. Also, if he enjoys cleaning the perches up thus making them smooth, you can swap them around to include some rough ones again... You can trim their nails, although I've never had to. Be carefull of the quick, and just take of the very tip if needed.

I one budgie in the aviary who has the longest claws I have ever seen. If she was a human, she would have to be one of those stereotyped old asian women with those incredibly long finger nails.

 

I am actually going to have to trim them as they look like they are going to be a problem perching. No other bird I have had this problem.

lol Dave! love the imagery there

 

Macka - I'll try to get a photo, although it's hard to get a close up of his claws.. he's a bit obsessed with the camera ever since we replayed him a video of himself, he's fascinated and always flies onto it if I get it near... so I'll see what I can do.

 

maesie - yes we do have varying widths of natural branches in the cage. They're not all smoothed yet.

 

I don't particularly want to clip them but I just wanted to know what was recommended as I've heard of it being done.

okay here's photos... it's the left front claw that is super long, the rest look normal to me.. what do you think?

 

 

 

 

Was so hard to get these, as he kept stepping up onto the camera

You could trim a little off if

you want to but be very carefull

not to cut back to short.

 

I would get a emery board/

nail file & file it back or just leave it.

Merlin's are long too, personally I don't trim his at all, they use the hooks to hold on to the perch etc...

I think only if they are very curled where it stops them from doing this.