Need your expert advice on rehomed blue and gold macaw

[Kevin]

Well, I was writing to a person who wanted to get a Macaw, but wasn't sure how to go about it as far as not hurting his relationship with his grey. I too, like him, have alway admired Macaws. At first I told him to seriously consider his thoughts, and not do something that he may regret. After giving it more thought, I told him that perhaps he should consider rehoming one and perhaps being an older bird it might be less likely to harm the relationship he shared with his grey. I told him that if it were clipped it may not mind sharing the same room with grey and he wouldn't have to worry about any damage being inflicted upon his grey.

 

Anyway, I took my own advice and did exactly what I told him to consider. Now I really need your expert help and advice. The macaw is five years old and is in good condition. He is being quarantined for now until I can get him to the vet. I got him last sunday and he has been in his cage until tonight. I opened the door and let him come out. He lets me pet his head only and rub his beak. He hasn't stepped up and seems very timid about it. He was $800.00 and his large California cage was included. I thought this to be very reasonable. Agree??? I have read all that I can find on the internet, and have looked at other forums for macaws, but none are like this one. I have not joined any, just read some threads. I have actually learned more from the grey forum than any other forum about macaws. Fortunately for me, he went back in his cage by himself, as I had no idea how I was going to get him back in.

 

Now, where do I go from here? How long do you think it will take until I can get him in his carrier to take to the vet? He is eating well, but has not eaten any fruit this whole week. His previous owner told me he loved strawberries, papya, apple and carrots. I gave him all those and he never touched it. He loves walnuts, peanuts and his seed, which comes from Walmart. He told me he won't eat any other seed. Today I mixed some of Abba Parrot diet with his Walmart food and it looks as if he is eating it. I would love to get him on a better diet. I am concerned about his lack of fruit and vegetable eating. Should I be???

 

I have put my hand in his mouth to show him that I am not intimidated by his beak, but truthfully, I AM! He takes his tongue and licks my fingers and has not tried to bite me hard. He doesn't want me to touch him anywhere but on his beak and head.

 

Please help me do all the things I can to make this an easy transition for him. There is hardly anything on the internet on how to help a rehomed macaw adjust. It's mostly ads for rehoming. He was being rehomed because the family was moving to a rent to own and needed the money for a deposit. I am not sure if that was truly the case, as I think it may have been that the owner of the house they're moving to told them NO MACAW. Not sure, but it's kinda a gut feeling. I inquired about his being to a vet and I was assured that he had been, but they were unable to supply me with any records. The boys mother was out of town and they could not remember the vet's name. I know this was a red flag.... but being that the bird looked healthy and his environment was very clean and the relationship I saw between the macaw and boy was strong and loving and there was an abundant supply of nuts and food and clean water I felt that he had been well taken care of.

 

I will have a full workup done on him when I am able to get him to the vet, but just am not sure when that will be. Any thoughts.??? Dorian is aware of his presence, as he has heard him squawk...Scared the crap out of me when I was in the room he's in and he let out one. OMG, I jumped a mile high. It's something that I wasn't expecting, but I was prepared for the loudness, as I know macaws are loud at times and that is not a problem for me. I love the sound, as it reminds me of being in a jungle. He doesn't squawk often and it's not a problem even if he does...

 

Thank you in advance for your guidance and support. Any insights and advice is very welcomed. I feel that I have researched so much but just haven't found many good answers. I know I will here.

 

Kevin

 

P.S. Yes, I will post a picture of him and his name is Sunshine. He came with it and I'm not going to change it.

[crysmom]

Congratulations! I have no advice to offer but enjoy your new Macaw

[Barbara2]

I saw a video once on getting a bird to go in a carrier on their own but it would be time consuming. It involved leaving the carrier in a place they play in, putting treats in there, letting them go in and out on their own.

 

Here is a link to the video:

Edited October 30, 2010 by Barbara2
added link

[Kaleah]

It might be best to work with him on stepping up,(if he doesn't know how already), makes it easier to get him from place to place. Once that is going good then begin to get him acquainted with the carrier. Make it a fun place to play around! When he's comfortable with it start placing toys and treats inside so that he has to go in after them. Eventually he will learn it's an o.k. place to be and nothing bad is going to happen to him in there. As for his diet I would just relax. It may take him awhile before he starts to eat anything but his familiar seed mix. Offer a variety of things for him to try and it helps if you eat some with him. Makes them more interested in it. As for the strawberries, I wouldn't suggest giving them to him. They contain a great amount of pesticides and could make him sick.

 

Best of luck with Sunshine. I'm sure he's going to be great! Sounds like he's in good capable hands.

[Kevin]

I don't think he'll mind getting in the carrier or need to adjust to it. That's how I got him home and when I bought him he had no problem going into it. My problem is getting him onto my finger or hand to get him in. He went easily to his previous owner's finger without any problem and enjoyed riding around on his shoulder. It's just that he is unfamiliar with me and won't let me touch him yet. Just wondering how long it will take him to trust and relax with me so that I can get him into the carrier to get him to the vet.

[Kaleah]

It's hard to say how long the adjustment period will take. All birds are different. With mine it only took her a few days before I could hold her without being bit and probably another week or 2 before I could touch any part of her body freely. You need to work with him on stepping up for YOU. He obviously knows how but that doesn't mean he will since he's not completely comfortable with you yet. There is no set time for this sort of thing. You have to establish some trust with him first. Let him get to know you. When he's in the cage sit by him with the door open and give him treats. Each time he takes one from your hand praise him and move the treat back a little father until eventually he has to lean over your arm. Keep doing this until he finally has to stand on you arm in order to get the treat. Eventually he will learn that being on your hand/arm is not so bad and good things happen when he's there.

 

If you need to get him to the vet a.s.a.p. your other option may be to towel him, but I wouldn't suggest it. If it scares him enough it will set the two of you back. So just go slow with him and do things at his pace. Patience is the key here.