Macaws

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 11:02 am

Does anyone here have one (or more)? I'm a new, first time owner ... well a month tomorrow. I have a couple questions and I can't find any good websites or books to answer them.

I love my B/G Macaw Smile

He's a sweetie. He's 14 months old and didn't start life out in a good way so he has a couple behavior issues.

His last owners would use a shower as a punishment. Now I can't get him to shower or let me spray him with a grooming spray without him going nuts. I know he's scared, so I'm taking it as slow as I can to assure him it's not a bad thing and I'm not out to hurt him. All his vet will tell me is that I need to show him who's boss and make him take showers. That just seems mean to me.

Also his last owners treated him very rough. When I took his home they told me that if he gets nasty just grab his head or beak and hold it till he stops. Again this just seems mean to me. So of course his already natrual reaction to bite seems to be worse when people want to pet him because of course strangers want to pet the top of his head. I've been slowly introducing him to lots of people so he can get use to having lots of strangers and movement around him. I don't let children near him since I don't know what he'll do yet.

For me he's a great bird. Always quite when I'm sleeping. Even if it's the middle of the day and I crash on the couch he doesn't make a sound. But as soon as I sit up he says Hello about a million times Smile

But for the family it's a different story. He is always biting on my son. Nothing serious yet, but I know it will come soon. At first all he would do is sqawk and shy away from my hubbie, but a month later he can almost pet the bird.

I've owned small birds before and didn't think it would be this much of a difference for a large bird. But I'm learning as much as I can, as fast as I can ... so any direction you can lead me would be very helpful! Very Happy

Site Admin/Owner Joined: Aug 27, 2002 Posts: 17088

I love them and if we had a larger house I would have both a Macaw and an African Gray! I have owned several cockatiels over the years and even a Sun Conure. The Conure was the most adorable little guy and so animated! He had been hand raised an I got him when he was very young. He would let you hold him in your hands on his back and scratch his belly. We had to give him away because the one most notable trait is their ear piercing shreeking Laughing

. I posted a story for you on the front page Wink

Client Joined: Apr 15, 2003 Posts: 466 Location: FL

I don't know if this will help or not, but I did find this site that has forums for bird owners. Only registered users can see links on this board! Get registered or login!
Hope you get your answers, I agree that some of that stuff just sounds mean. I only have a little cockatiel, he loves the water! I started him out on showers by taking him to brush my teeth with me (he now makes the "brushing" noise) and worked up to turning on the shower and leaving it running while I did other things, then I perched him on the shower bar while I showered. Didn't take long for him to follow me in.
I love birds, they are so cool, and most people do not realize how affectionate they are.

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:12 pm

Well I started with the same approach with my macaw. When I take a shower or bath he's in the room with me. At first I felt like I had a little voyar in the room with me and oh man did he squawk up a storm. Now a month later he doesn't squawk nearly as much, unless I try to get him wet. I'm starting with his feet and lower feather. Not even close to his head. The grooming spray is slightly better and his skin isn't nearly as dry, but he doesn't like the taste of any of them and he won't preen afterwards.

I know what you mean by affectionate. Everyone told me that macaws where not affectionate and don't like to be cuddled. I think mine must be confused then. He always sticks his head under my arm from me to give him hugs. He learned that trick real fast from my son. My son would sneak up and put his head under my arm for hugs.

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 4:17 pm

I think once you hae him more aclimated to your home and affection this will all work out.
My little bird loves the water now, he yells when he hears the shower going if he is not in there. And as soon as he hears it turn off he lets out a wolf whistle. He likes to see skin, LOL. He doesn't care who's skin either, tho he does whistle louder for me than the hubby.
I think you probably saved this bird from a life of misery. Sounds to me like they didn't know how to handle him so just "winged" it (pun intended). I'll keep looking for info as I wander the net. I know Macaws are more devoted to one person than the next, so looks like you are the "mom".

Subject Matter Expert Joined: Feb 23, 2004 Posts: 358

Hope some of this helps...

http://home.att.net/~MacawMama/
(of interest might be 'ask MacawMama')

also, there is a Macaw webring here:

http://r.webring.com/hub?ring=macaw

I lived in Caracas Venezuela for an entire summer when I was a lad... I will never ever forget the wild Macaws everywhere. Magnificant animals, you are blessed. Best of luck in the 'net research. The Macaw ring should have just about everything you need...

PHrEEk

Court Jester Joined: Sep 20, 2003 Posts: 106

I know that birds are highly intelligent and can figure things out, and that these birds are highly advanced. They remember things, and the only way I know of to make the fear go away is by showing them what they fear shouldnt be feared. continue showing the shower, and perhaps set up a small mister (its what we used in the desert alot, and it attaches to a hose) and then lay by it, eventually, or perhaps soon, the bird will stay with you by the mister, and get wet. then move up from there along with the showers showing it how it wont hurt.

It is a quick learning bird because it picked up the hug tricks, so it could catch on quickly. Also, a small sprinkler system head that makes a tiny low pressure shower (you know, the little things used in yards for delicate flowers and such) might be a good idea if you have a place for it. very gentle and quiet, and perhaps calming, whereas some showers are very noisy and akward for an animal.

As for other problems ALWAYS re-enforce ANY good behavior, and lightly scold with bad (leave the bird alone for "time outs", they will get it). With positive re-enforcements all the time it will realize quickly that its better to do good things for attention, while avoiding bad things because it causes time outs.