When you get your hood, we suggest dampening the edge of the gape with a little water to help mold the hood to your bird's face and trying the hood on your bird. Make sure that it's pushed all the way back on the head, firmly seated and not on the bird crooked. Make sure the hood closes all the way in the back but isn't too loose. The hood should clear the cere and gape, but not let any light in. If you wave your hand (or a feather makes a good substitute if you're nervous about getting grabbed should the bird be able to see) around the bird's face, it shouldn't react at all. If your bird jumps, it can see at least some light. By dampening the gape you can mold it in to shield it from the light or out if it's touching the gape slightly, as needed. When you take the hood off, be sure to check inside the hood for damp spots which would indicate the hood is touching the eyes and is too small.
Here, you can see some of the variablitity in birds. All three birds take the same size hood. However, even though it's the same hood, it fits each bird slightly differently. The first picture shows a nearly perfect fit. The cere and gape are nicely cleared, but it's a close fit so there's no chance of light getting in. The second picture shows a different bird wearing the same hood. It fits tolerably well, but not quite perfect. The bird can't actually see out of the hood, but the gape IS riding a little high. Too much higher and the bird WILL be able to see out which is a problem.
Whether your hood fits your bird perfectly or needs a slight adjustment or even needs to be replaced, we would very much appreciate any pictures you would care to send us of your bird wearing it's new hood. The more feedback we get, the better our hoods will become. We're always striving to improve our hoods and make them as perfect as we possibly can :)
Whether your hood fits your bird perfectly or needs a slight adjustment or even needs to be replaced, we would very much appreciate any pictures you would care to send us of your bird wearing it's new hood. The more feedback we get, the better our hoods will become. We're always striving to improve our hoods and make them as perfect as we possibly can :)