Tias

I can join this club! My Joker loves to draw blood...and if you cry/yell he laughs......My Tia, she began today....while I was giving treats, but she only pinched.

This is me These are my kiddos

In a previous post I started I was going to attempt to get my CAG(Tia) and my Mini Macaw (Joker) somewhat aquainted....I tried our banister and it it ended how I expected....Joker being a bully and Tia running up my arm.....Well this evening I was sitting in my chair, Tia sitting on the back of it happily getting her head scratched.....and Joker, heading my way...Up my leg to the arm of the chair preening himself, this time they tolerated each other for awhile because I was keeping both hands busy scratching heads...no one being bullied...Its a start;)

I just saw it, read it...and really didn't know what to think of it...Main reason why I posted it...Thank You for all the input (I do not live in Denver, or even in CO)...

I think I am going to wait for second attempt after I get a play stand...

Well first attempt didnt go good.....I'm not sure if its because Tia was in Joker's usual spot, or if it was because he is moulting OR if he just wants to be a Butt...(I believe its the latter) He was hesitant at first...but it really didnt take long and feathers ruffled, beak open...heading her way...maybe its a territory thing...I dont know I just know first attempt ended with me saying NO, Joker ruffling his feathers and pecking at me (like" how could you") and Tia scrambling up my arm (in "SAVE me" mode)

Tia is in Joker's "old" cage......Today while cleaning cages, I finished putting a new swing in Tia's cage, Joker came off of his cage, to the floor...up my pant leg and onto Tia's cage......Defending it while Tia sat patiently on a chair close to her cage.....I think he was upset/jealous of the entire situation..(I believe he proceeded to tell me all about it on my shoulder as we walked away allowing Tia to return to her perch on the cage)... I am still going to try the banister and see what happens, however with the new "territoy" issue I'm going to try to "ignore" them both....With Tia still settling in, hopefully Joker wont be too overbearing...

It seems as though you are starting the right way, and getting into a routine is wonderful!! I was gonna ask if you decided to put his rock on the outside of his cage yet? If so, does he go to it when he is out? I know the shooing thing too...first couple of times I had to do that with Tia, BUT found a good incentive to get her back into her cage....shelled unsalted peanuts....Its also her treat while I am training her to "step up" (only if she's up for it though) I give her in the shell peanuts in the morning for as lil something to do and keep her content when I leave and three or four shelled at night. I let her see the container and I make sure she sees me put them in her dish.....she is happy to go in for them....As she goes in, I tell her goodnight...and ofcourse she says "Goodnight Tia" I wondered about the rock because if you have put it on the outside of this cage and he sits on it still....maybe you could make sure its inside the new cage....I just switched out Tia's swing...she had a lil tiny one that she would often fall asleep on and ultimately fall off..most evenings, SOO what I did was place the new swing on the bottom of her cage, bringing it up each time I cleaned the cage, further to the top..Today the other perch left, and her new more sturdy perch in its place...I actually had both on there for a couple of days and today when the cage was taken outside and cleaned...it didnt return with the old perch...she doesnt seem to be missing it, she actually is more interested in the new bells and seems content... Hope things keep going well and Grim keeps settling in!! Good Luck!

Peanuts are the treat of choice if I'm training....Apples are the treat before bed.

This weekend I'm going to try the banister....I decided I am going to place Tia on the banister and open Jokers cage......I will let you know tomorrow how it went I will be home all day so that if something happens I'm right there

So I know this may be an unpopular post here but I thought what the heck, when you have a good exp. share it! I was looking for a macaw for almost a year and a week ago I walked into a shop called "the african grey". While I was there looking around and feeling a little overwhelmed (they were very very busy) I saw a couple come in and inquire after a bird that they had apparently dropped at this shops door about 3 months previously. I was shocked! Apparently this Amazon parrot was sick and they had no money to feed it or care for it so they called the shop manager and asked if the manager would take it in and help it. I thought to myself " I would never do that" But then I listen a little more and what I found out made me sick and then made my heart warm. This bird had been through seven overs and had been sick with a very bad crop infection when the people aquired it from CRAIGSLIST from someone who claimed this bird was "young and healthy". They weren't prepared for the cost of a sick bird or the cost of trying to help the bird become social and heartbreakingly had no one to turn to when the old owners never returned the phone calls or emails. When they turned to this shop the manager totally put the birds health and welfare above all other concerns and took this poor creature in and made a bad situation a little better. Later after the couple left I asked if they took in birds often or if it was just amazons and she smiled and said that it really didn't matter what manner of bird weather it be a budgie,cockatiel, african grey, macaw or cockatoo she would rather that any bird in need had a warm comfortable spot to sleep, good diet and the medical care they might need than to be stuck cold, alone, sick and misunderstood somewhere in the world. She also had no problem disclosing to me why that bird had an adoption fee and what medical treatments it had had and I thought to myself " 400$ fee for a bird I know is healthy now and one who has so much going on thats so good for it is great, how many have I myself looked at on craigslist that were 1000, 2000 and sometimes more!". I was massively impressed. I bought a wonderful macaw from that same manager and love that bird very much. He lights up my world. They also included more information on his diet and care then I ever could have hoped, lifetime support and lifetime FREE grooming! I cant say I could have ever found a better deal. Moral of my story I suppose is just that good people still are out there and that maybe just maybe more of us should try to do just a little more for our fellow creatures. I am sure that many of us can do more than we do but I am so glad a few of us can step up and do what they are doing. Oh and they do also have younger hand raised parrots as well as consignments ( they explained that when someone cant keep their bird they often take it in and help them sell it) as well as just about every food and toy imaginable. I would say give them a try, never hurts to look. they are located at 974 monaco parkway denver co I think their phone number is 303-333-4101 but i am sure they have a web page as well. good knowledgable staff too and I was told they take drop offs 7 days a week from 730 am to 5pm and have a 24hr staff member for after hours needs. I dont know personally as I have never thank god had to drop anything off! I can however say that the birds I saw were all healthy and well cared for not to mention fresh fruits and veggies in the diet as well as BOTTLED WATER for the birds! Pretty awesome.

This is some great advice!!!....here is my next questions for you.....where/how do I introduce them? Do I set Tia on the banister and let Joker out? What should I look for as body language if they do not choose to tolerate each other? Neither one of my birds are flighted...Joker was the last bird from a retired pet owner, so he has been around other birds....Tia came from an only bird household...

Tia came from the home of an EMT...needless to say I often listen to dispatch....the only thing I can make out is "over" lol but its quiet funny

The banister is our "play stand" for the time being...they can run along the entire length of the living room...Jokers cage sits close enough to the banister he can jump right on and head to the couch..or wherever. Tia has been on the banister and I have left Joker in his cage..She will not even go close to his cage, Joker as he sits on the my chair he observes her and her cage... I just don't know where would be the best place to I guess let them meet...or even if its a good idea to let them get to know each other. I didnt want to "personalize" a playstand for only one of them, I would want one they could both enjoy together...I just don't know how to get from..strangers to possibly being able to sit on a playstand/tolerate each other. I see so many people here who have several different birds with pictures of them all together...sitting on play stands....I wanna be one of those people! Lol..Just need some ideas to get there. So IF you are one of those bird charmers....could you please send a lil magic this way

I have only had my AG for a few weeks and I have had my mini macaw for awhile....I had an issue begining today, and I need some advice.... This morning I opened both cages as I always have done (they sit across the room from one another) Tia (AG) has always sat on her cage talking, laughing and whistling....and Joker (Mini Macaw) always climbs down from his cage...comes over and climbs up the chair to my shoulder and proceeds to tell me how his night went...The chair sits about smack dab in between the two....Today was different......Today it was a race to see who could get to me first....This is where I'm havin a issue....I have never had the 2 close enough to do anything to each other..Never had one on my shoulder while I talked to the other...I'm a little concerned about it. Tia is not a biter...if she wants you to leave her be she bites but nothing serious...Joker laughs if he draws blood..and he is molting so he's a lil more upset...I put Joker away, went and retrieved Tia who was now on the floor headed my way....Should I wait until Joker is done molting and maybe try to put them on the banister together...or the chair with me...or the floor?? PLEASE help!!! Should I even try to get them to be a little more sociable with each other?

Thank You Sam for the wonderful intro, and detailed post! I recently "aquired" a grey from a similar situation, I have had her for nearly a month....and honestly what has worked for me so far....routine....dont change too much too quick..I was not fortunate enough to get a cage with mine...however the one Tia came out of was about how you described that you brought home. I think I would put the rock back....let Grim get comfortable in his new surroundings...dont move his cage, don't change whatever routine you want him to be on...When I first brought Tia home, I had a cage waiting BUT I managed to get her dishes (I had bought new ones ofcourse but I wanted her to be ok with the new cage)...I dont leave her without some noise (radio/tv) because I want her to be comfortable with different voices...and maybe to teach her that other voices shouldnt scare her. She is in the dining/living room...where she can see everything going on, when I wake up, I uncover her, open her cage and if she comes out fine...if not I still get her fresh water& food..before I leave I give her a treat...she will actually go back in her cage now when I put my coat on and wait for her treat before I leave..When I get back home...I check her food and give her fresh water (usually she bathes in the morning:) and I leave her cage open, I talk to her and I dont push..she seems to regress if I do... I try to do everything I can around her...The other day, I had my first breakthrough...I was sitting next to her had put a chair close enough that she could climb down from her cage...she seemed more interested in my phone than me..BUT she came to me..she climbed on my arm, said hello to my phone (looking at it waiting for another ring I assume) and then climbed onto my shoulder. I about could hardley contain the excitement..It took 3 weeks...and I just made sure it was her choice...Like I said if I push she fights...This is my experience...and I am NO expert, but it worked for me. I hope whatever advice is given helps you in your journey...Good Luck!

Welcome Wingy! I can only go from my experience on your questions...As far as big bird/beak....I have a Mini Macaw (Beautiful colors minus the "Big" part) and an AG, I got the AG to keep Macaw entertained while everyone was away, I also leave radio on while I'm at work....sometimes switching to tv for the day...As far as poo shooters...I've never cleaned poo off the ceiling from either one. Hope you find all the info you need to make a good decision! Good Luck to you!!!

I remember Atari....and 8 tracks...

I just think it would be fun and uplifting to have somewhere you could post amusing things your feathered family does!

Its actually kinda weird.....My Mini Macaw (the pre-spoiled one) took to them right away....My AG...looked at me like I just ruined her day....

As you may/may not know I have had Tia for only a few weeks...Today I was playing with Joker (mini Macaw) for almost an hour...wrestling, chatting, laughing.....as Tia (AG) watched and had very little to say....I put Joker away so that he would relax and maybe take a nap...(yeah right lol)...I then went over to the computer near her cage....leaving an extra chair near her door....She became very curious as to what I was doing, and got onto the chair!!! I was shocked(she has never willingly left her cage) I continues to speak softly telling her that I thought she was a VERY big bird for doing that on her own....she came down to the arm of the chair and stepped right down on me! I was overjoyed, I finished my work on the computer and came over and sat down on the couch, she didnt try to fly back to her cage or anything!!! She even gave me kisses!!!! I was just so excited I had to share it with someone!!

Thank You all so much for the warm welcome!!

Welcome and Thanks for the great intro and pics! I am also new to the forum but have learned so many things already! Hope to hear more from you and Rico as well!

I have read so many things that about pellets, I have seen the difference first hand between pellet food and seed food. Both my AG and my Mini macaw are on seed food because I was reluctant to change EVERYTHING....Now they are dry and irritated...My mini macaw will not even allow my to go near running water with him....My AG would prefer a nice cold cup to bathe in...I have seen how well the AGs at our local pet store happy and NOT dry;) I have decided that pellets are gonna be the way to go....Wish me luck as my mini macaw was COMPLETELY spoiled when he came to me INCLUDING Pop, Tea, Crackers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...just to name a few of the laundry list of things he was fed before I got him home...Since he has been home I have gradually weaned him off of the deadly foods.....and instead offered healthy choices...now I am adding the pellets, hopefully I keep all my fingers next time I get him out