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As the others have already mentioned clipping a birds wings is not advised. Many people do it - including those in the pet trade - and do it incorrectly, leading to wing damage. Also, clipping the wing (one not two) can still enable the bird to fly enough to carry it away with the added help of wind. Yes, it also increases the chances of predatation by cats, but I would hope that you wouldn't leave your birds unsupervised in an open area anyway. The most common problem with clipped wings is by birds injuring themselves by not being able to fly. The imbalance of having one clipped wings causes birds to fall, crash and sometimes flip over. They cannot fly out of other household hazzards such as basins, in between furniture or out of the way of a human's foot, and unfortunately has led to the death of someone's beloved friend.
Then there is the other problem - not clipping their wings. I understand that you want to let your birds have their freedom, but no matter how "tame" your birds are they will fly if the oppertunity takes them. Many people say "Oh no, I take it outside everyday and they never fly away" and then you see them again and it's "where's your bird?" "Oh, it flew away". You SHOULD NOT release any captive bred birds into the wild, unless they are from a specialised breeding/recovery program. Pet birds can carry and spread diseases into wild populations. Also, you can add to the ever increasing problem of populations of feral native species in pocket populations - for example the Corella's and Rainbow Lorikeets in Perth. Galah's are very hardy birds, and once released into the wild will usually survive and flourish, whereas other birds such as Budgies and Cockatiel are easy prey for raptors.
There are a couple of options open to you if you want to enjoy your birds company and let enjoy the "outside" world. There are leashes available for all sizes of Parrots & Cockatoos, from budgies to Macaws. They are very good and the birds do not mind wearing them. They fit like a brace over the rump, under the belly and across the shoulders (kind of like a bra!). Make sure you get one that has a swivelling lead so that the bird does not become entangled. As far as I know you will have to check the Avicultural Society or Austrlaian Bird Keeper Magazine for these. They allow the bird freedom to move around and have adjustable lengths to allow for flight. The second option is to build a movable flight - they're good for budgies and cockatiel, but to make one for a Galah it may be too bulky and big to be feasible. Otherwise you can just make your whole yard an enclosed avairy! Yep, many people have done it and it lets the human and bird have full interaction, while keeping out the cats - but that's the extream. Another option is to have a house-bird and let them have free-run of the inside of the house (but there are so many other precautions to be taken with this that will need another thread!).
I hope this has been of some help to you, and I know the prediciment you are in, as I have had the same moral problem. good luck to you and your friends!
Quarrion
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