The Aviator Bird Harness & Leash

Taking your bird outdoors changes things for both of you — sunlight, fresh air, and a parrot that gets to see the world instead of a window. The Aviator is the harness most bird owners end up with, and the reason is how it is built: the body strap, the buckle and the elastic leash are one continuous piece. There is no clip sitting against your bird where a determined beak can work it open.

Why this one rather than a cheaper harness

• One-piece construction. No snaps or fasteners at the bird's body, which is exactly where budget harnesses come apart.
• Soft woven nylon. Light enough that a cockatiel still moves naturally, strong enough for a full-grown macaw.
• Elastic leash. If your bird launches, the leash stretches and slows them instead of stopping them dead. That matters more than anything else on this list.
• Eight genuine sizes. Fit is the whole game with a harness — too loose and it is dangerous, too tight and your bird will never accept it.
• Washable. Hand wash in mild soap, air dry.

Which size do I need?

Choose by your bird's weight, not by species alone — two African greys can easily sit a size apart. If your bird falls between two sizes, take the larger one.

Not sure what your bird weighs? A kitchen scale and a perch will tell you in a minute, and it is worth knowing anyway.

Getting your bird used to it

Almost every harness that ends up in a drawer was rushed. Take a week over this and you will have a bird that steps into it willingly.

1. Leave the harness near the cage for a day or two so it stops being a strange object.
2. Let your bird touch and chew it while you hold it. Reward that.
3. Practise slipping the loop over the head only, then removing it straight away. Reward again.
4. Once the head is easy, add one wing, then the other.
5. First outings: somewhere quiet and enclosed, for a few minutes only.

Never leave a harnessed bird unattended, and never tie the leash to a fixed object.

What you receive

One Aviator harness with the elastic leash attached, plus the printed fitting and training guide.

Questions we get asked

Can my bird still fly in it? Yes — short flights within the length of the leash. The design allows normal wing movement, which is the point of it.

Will it damage feathers? Fitted correctly it sits clear of the flight feathers. A harness that rubs is usually a size too small.

My bird is clipped. Is it still worth it? Very much so. A clipped bird can still be startled into a fall or a gust-assisted flight, and a harness is what brings them back.

Which colour should I pick? It makes no difference to fit. Black is the most discreet on darker birds; red and blue are easier to spot if you drop the leash outdoors.

Shipping is free on every order, worldwide, and every parcel ships with a tracking number. You'll get the tracking link by email as soon as your order leaves us. Insured shipping is available at checkout for $4.95 if you'd like added cover.

Most orders arrive within 7 to 14 business days. The estimate shown above this section is for your location.

Returns are open for 45 days. If something isn't right, email support@farooze.com and we'll sort it out. Full details in our shipping policy and refund policy.