Which group of birds is less likely to be stressed by having their wings touched?

The group of birds that tends to be less stressed by having their wings touched is poultry. These birds, such as chickens and ducks, have been domesticated over many generations, which typically makes them more tolerant of human interaction, including handling of their wings. Domestic birds have adapted to living in close proximity to humans and often exhibit a level of comfort with being handled that is less prevalent in wild species.

In contrast, birds of prey, columbiformes (such as pigeons and doves), and passerines (like sparrows and finches) generally have more instinctual behaviors and heightened sensitivity to handling. Wild birds, including those in these groups, often perceive wing handling as a potential threat, invoking a stress response as it can relate to vulnerability and loss of control. Thus, poultry stands out as the group that exhibits the least stress response to wing handling due to their domesticated nature and reliance on human caretakers.