Hi Bill! Me again! This time it’s not about Sunlight, rather it’s my pidgeots newly hatched pidgey. I named him lucky after he survived a rather serious accident that left him grounded for almost 3 months. Now he’s all healthy again but he is terrified of flying higher than my shoulders, about 160 cm. Is there anything I can do to help him overcome this? I’d love to take him with me when I hike since his mama is getting up in her years and doesn’t have all the energy anymore.

Actually, the best thing you can do is let Lucky’s mama do the healing. A mother knows best how to coax their child into being the best they can be, and I have no doubt your pidgeot recognizes that Lucky is struggling. Let her show him that there’s nothing wrong with flying. The fact that she needs to take it slow will work to her advantage: it means her lessons will be slow and easy for Lucky to handle.

Above all else, be supportive and patient throughout this process. Let Lucky rest when he needs to, but offer words of encouragement and place him back with his mother when he’s ready. He won’t be ready to fly above your shoulder height within days, but perhaps over months, he’ll slowly climb in altitude until he’s soaring.

Best of luck!