Oliver, blue and gold macaw Stewarts new brother

[oblivion]

Yeah, that sounds like regurgitation action to me. My grey does that as a 'good night,' but only through the bars. It's brief (never actually brought anything up) and just before bed, so I'm not too worried about it getting him too wound up, but that is something to keep in mind.

 

Aside from attempted flight, where I am, anyway, hawks would be my main concern for outside birds. Coopers and Sharp-shinned hawks are known as terrors of backyard bird feeders because of their agile low-level attacks between trees and buildings. Just one more thing to be paranoid about.

 

And of course in Oliver's case, there's the risk of sunburn. He really is a cutie - nekkid and all.

[murfchck]

Oh yes, we absoultly keep an eye out for hawks. And yes, sunburn is also something we keep in mind, hubby has a solar panel on top of his head so we have to limit both of their times in the sun. Lol We are never out in afternoon, just early evening and our front yard is for the most part shaded. In those pictures he was in our backyard but that was only his second time ever back there. We have a pool and a pond and the doggies are back there so it is not a traveled area for them. I always fear them somehow falling into the water.

Found out yesterday that he really loves to go on walks. Like i mentioned before, i live a bird neighborhood and after work everyone has their birds out. Oliver heard one and just started walking toward her. He walked two houses down, looked at her then started back went past our house and into our neighbors yard before he put his foot up for me to pick him up. When i did and we were walking back he picked his wings up, not fully extended of course but, started moving them like he was flying all by his self! It was so cute, and funny to hear our neighbors cheering him on.

Now to Stewart for a moment, he had 4 grown adults laughing so hard last night we were unable to talk. I had tears coming out of my eyes and my side it still sore this morning. Out of the blue, while we were all talking he coughed and then started laughing. The harder we laughed the more he did it, it was the funniest thing. Our neighbor was shocked which made it even funnier. He is really starting to open up now!

[Greywings]

As long as a dog is not able to reach him before you can as he cannot gain altitude to get away. I know someone whose bird tragically died when a small dog(Chihuahua) came up behind it and grabbed suddenly killing the bird. Caution caution caution... Very pleased to hear how well he is doing now. Try holding him on his back on your lap to sneak those nose drops in.

[katana600]

It is uplifiting to hear how both parrots are opening up to you and getting more active. Gilbert does the head bob feeding thing. When we first got him he was doing his droopy wing love coos for me and I would just carry him back to his cage and tell him no thank you and try to distract him with something else. In the past few days he tries to lick my fingers when I scratch his head. He isn't bobbing or making sweet love noises or anything so I am just watching to see where that is heading. I am so glad that Oliver is feeling somewhat better with the good vet care and your TLC.

Edited March 14, 2012 by katana600

[abieisert]

Murfchck,

I spent 30 minutes yesterday reading your thread. I cried. I smiled. My heart sank. I let out a vocal YEA! I just wanted to hug you, Oliver and Stewart! What a loving and caring person you are! If the world had more compassionate people like you, it would be a happier place. You are doing an AMAZING job! Thank you for such a wonderful thread for me to keep up with.

[oblivion]

Oh yes, we absoultly keep an eye out for hawks. And yes, sunburn is also something we keep in mind, hubby has a solar panel on top of his head so we have to limit both of their times in the sun. Lol

 

Heh, I've got one of those, too!!!

 

BTW, I hope it doesn't seem like I was second-guessing your decision to take them out. You didn't seem to take it that way, and I'm glad. I know we all do what we feel is best for our birds and no one online can know what that is. My point in mentioning these things is so that others who read the threads are fully aware of what the dangers are if considering doing the same with their birds. *thumbsup*

[murfchck]

Oh i didn't take it bad at all. I like input because God knows i am not perfect and sometimes over look the small stuff so reminders are always good! And i do have 4 doggies and three are chihuahuas one is a blind min pin so they are not allowed in the same room as the birds cuz as cute as they are i have seen them fight each other over a blanket and a stuffed bear! The blind one knows we brought something into our home but doesn't know just what it is. Funny i have a fake hanging plant basket and "that" is what she thinks is the birds. Kinda sad but really funny to see her stretched as far as she can trying to sniff this basket, and we are not going to tell her anything other either! I will try and catch a piture of that!

My Oliver story for the day is that i have now figured out what has been making him so darn active when he is on his stand! I have a coo coo clock right near him and it coocoo's every 15 minutes. He sways with it and screams at it. I shut it off and he calmed right down. I am just not sure if he is liking it or hating it, now he is just staring at it. Ahh, another process of elimination. Lol

[Malikah]

When we were walking back he picked his wings up, not fully extended of course but, started moving them like he was flying all by his self! It was so cute, and funny to hear our neighbors cheering him on.

Wonderful! My naked little conure and i would play the flying game. She would sit on my shoulder and I would make short runs and she would flap as if she was flying too. She loved it!

[murfchck]

Watching him fly in his own way just puts the biggest smile on us and brings such warmth to our hearts. His first flight made every tear we had shed for him worth it! For now they are happy tears!

Now a question about the aloe spray. I fear getting it in his eyes but direct spray is not an option for him, okay not an option for my fingers or hand really. Can i aim it over him like a mist? His little toes are nice and soft, that is all i get to spray, lol.

[Malikah]

I spray Kito with it all the time and although I avoid spraying her face, I have never seen her eyes get irritated. Your mileage may vary.

[oblivion]

I have a coo coo clock right near him and it coocoo's every 15 minutes. He sways with it and screams at it. I shut it off and he calmed right down. I am just not sure if he is liking it or hating it, now he is just staring at it. Ahh, another process of elimination. Lol

 

He's probably staring at it thinking, "Man, this is the longest 15 minutes EVER!!!"

[Malikah]

He's probably staring at it thinking, "Man, this is the longest 15 minutes EVER!!!"

LOL!!! Oh now I have the hiccups!

[Luvparrots]

Now a question about the aloe spray. I fear getting it in his eyes but direct spray is not an option for him, okay not an option for my fingers or hand really. Can i aim it over him like a mist? His little toes are nice and soft, that is all i get to spray, lol.

 

My three love to be misted. I use a very fine sprayer and spray upward. They always open their feathers and get really soaked.

[murfchck]

LOL!!! Oh now I have the hiccups!

 

You have hiccups, i snorted laughing, now Stewart just snorted!

 

I just had the "insert bad word here" scared outta me. I really need to remember Oliver is feeling better and the sick quiet bird is no longer. As always this morning i opened up their cage door for them to come out and play. The cage is only closed at night. I have a screen at the doorway so the dogs can't get in but when i leave the house, i shut the big door to the room cuz if the birds wanted out, no screen door would stop em. Stewarts cage is right to the right of the door, Olivers is across the room kiddy corner to Stewarts. Okay, picture painted of the room lay out? I had to run to the store so i shut the big door and when i got back, really a few minutes later, i opened the door and there was this big bald scay bird in attack position staring me down on top of Stewarts cage. My first thought was that he ate Stewart but then i saw him on the side of the cage. I went to get Stewart and he just laughed at me. I assume when i opened the door it scared Oliver because they were both as happy as could be after i calmed down. What a shocker that was. A macaw is really an active bird, i just didn't know how active! It has taken me about 45 minutes just to write this because he kept climbing in his water bowl trying to bathe, i figured what better time to mist him with the aloe. Yeah, no way. He then got mad, kicked Stewart off the stand running to the other side and he was destroying the perches with one chomp on the way there. He has been non stop today! His new attitude is " i am macaw, get outta my way and listen to me scream!" I don't think i like this new tude very much! Lol. I liked the old one of, i am macaw, love me please! Lol Oh no, a fly is on "his" window now, assume attack position! Gotta go get this fly before he decides to really attack it and go thru the window! Lol

[oblivion]

Glad I amused you guys. Your Oliver stories have very mixed effect on me - they make me want a macaw even more, but REALLY make me question if my wife/marriage could handle one.

[murfchck]

Did you have one before? I only had Stewart a few weeks before Oliver came into our lives and an umbrella before them. I will say, i have read on this site that greys need alot of special attention but nothing like Oliver! I have anxiety attacks watching Oliver because he is just a little kid who acts before he thinks, Stewart on the other hand thinks ALOT before he acts. I swear too that Stewart studies Oliver and knows the outcome of his weird actions and takes precautions to avoid any backlash! And this is only the first week with this booger feeling better, i'm in trouble! Lol I will add that Oliver loves to be loved as they say b&g macaws do and is so very tender. My grey drew some blood on hubbys finger tonight and when he was holding Oliver and he spotted it he was so concerned and then without warning put his beak on the boo boo trying to clean up the blood. I have never heard of a bird doing this, just goes to show our love is returned!

[Greywings]

Sweet boy busy boy he has made himself quite at home in your hearts already. Stewart will start telling on him soon I think.

[katana600]

This thread is just a discovery of joy of the recovery of Oliver. I am so happy that he is being a nusiance to you... and I mean that in a good way. LOL. I can't begin to imagine where he has been in his life and don't want to think of him anywhere but with you. Thanks for keeping us updated on his shenanigans. He and Stewart are keeping you very busy and I have a feeling you wouldn't want it any other way.

[oblivion]

No, I have never had a macaw. My TAG, Spencer, is my first 'big' bird. I first held a B&G at Disney World when I was about 6 and was pretty enamored. Then in my teens my parents had some friends who had an amazon, scarlet, hyacinth, and Sulfur-crested and rose-breasted 'toos and that's when I was truly hooked. I've been researching and debating since then (I'm 38 now - that's how seriously I take bird ownership) but the time has never been right. We're at a point in our lives where we're trying to figure out how our human family is going to round out. Once that settles and I get a firm buy-in from the missus, I'll start visiting the local rescues in earnest. Honestly, I only have Spencer now (never planned on a Grey) because my budgie had died and he needed a home. The same COULD happen with a macaw and I'm sure we'd get along fine, but for marital harmony I should stick to my plan.

[Malikah]

I just love this thread. And this is my favoritest picture of Oliver. I copied it to my desktop. He is just sooo happy and proud looking.

[Life is Greyt]

Agree!!

[murfchck]

Thank you all so very much, it really means a lot to us that you care so much to read about our days like you do!

I must say though, today i feel like a bad mama! This week has really thrown me for a loop. I have been keeping my niece from 8- 5 during her spring break and my days have not been on any type of schedule. Today started normal for the fids, Friday is scrambled egg with a green in it, broccoli was it today so we started off good, but to me it went down from there. Most of today was spent outside the house shopping for plants that Olivia wanted to grow, then coming home and potting them. She is 10, and like any 10 yr old she takes her own sweet time doing things, lol. Before we knew it, it was 2 pm. Although my boys were out of their cage, they had not been out of the room all day. Then hubby came home and said i needed to get out and do something, so he wanted to take me to dinner. Really, couldn't turn that down! Dinner turned out to be nacho's and video poker at our local "cheers", which meant dinner was a drive thru. I know the guys had their pellets and seed but this was our first dinner apart, ( and the fact that now when i leave i have to put them in their cage because of Olivers

adventures) my heart was breaking! I finally got the nerve up to ask Pat if when we went thru the drive thru, we could get the birds

something. He just laughed and said we are going to McDonalds.. I didn't know what to get them there, if there was anything i could get for them.. Now here is where bad mama comes in.... Chicken nuggets! This is the first time i have not cooked something for them and it ends up being this??? Now i have to say, they both hated the nuggets, wouldn't touch them at all, yeah i thought, but then they spotted the big mac and on the way to get a taste they discovered the fries! Bad mama... : ( it was just that i couldn't say no!!! Weak i tell ya, i was weak! And know they know it too! I'm in for it now! Lol

We are making Oliver a cedar perch tomorrow so he will be safe outside, i will post some pictures tomorrow! ( my guilt is good for them i guess!)

[murfchck]

Mark- you are smart to wait until you both are ready!

We were unable to make the outside perch yesterday, rain delay. We did get to plant the boys their very own garden. Red chili peppers, string beans, brussel sprouts, sugar snap peas and more, that should be fun for them! I think that the rain brought something in with it that makes my birds looney. They were super hyper. Not stressed just busy bees. Oliver went thru a whole roll of paper, just pulling and tossing. We even caught him heading to Stewarts cage again, when he spotted us he went right back up to his cage and looked at us like, "what, i am not doing anything wrong!" We swear he was smiling.

Found another food like too. Inside of a egg roll. ( didn't give him the crust ) His head was buried in his bowl for the whole dinner. He has alo started putting his zupreem pellets in his water now, what a mess. I have his roudybush and zupreem in one bowl and how he is so accurate with just picking the zupreem is beyond me but he will fill his mouth with them and walk right to his water, set them in there and then one by one eat them. My husband actually asked me why i haven't been changing his water lately, that he has had to do it. I showed him what he was doing and then i got a big, 'Ohhhhh, sorry'. I can change his water 3 x's a day and it still looks nasty! ( he has a second bowl on the top )

[oblivion]

Ha, yeah, Spencer is a dunker, too. Loves his Zupreem pellets slightly moist, but leaves quite a bit behind in the water bowl.

[murfchck]

I noticed the other day, but didn't put much into it, Oliver is acting like he is going to up chuck every so often. I have seen this a few times a day for the past couple days now. Is this some what normal? When i put these two new habits together, dunking his food in water and "gagging" now just puts some worry in my mind. Plus his air sac again blowing up again...