Adopted a B&G Macaw

[Birdbrain91]

Hi, I'm new to the form. I'm a volunteer at a local parrot rescue and that is were I found Wesley. He is a smart active 13 year old B&G Macaw that has a lot of stinker in him lol. We hit it off right away and I was the only one he would step up for. After the 2 month adoption process I brought him home and thought we were off to a great start. It has been a long 7 weeks and I think I've gone thru a big box of band-aids. It was like we were starting over from the beginning I don't know if that's common or just him. He came from a loving family that couldn't take care of him anymore. He knows his colors and loves to sing, dance and play ball. So I have 3 issues going on. First, at the Foundation I use to be able to give him head scratches and give him treats through his cage. When ever I put him in his cage I would give him a nut. When ever I do that at home he would rather bite me then take the nut. I'm trying to make going in his cage a positive thing so now I give him one right before he goes in. He can't bite with a nut in him mouth. I can't even give him head scratches through his cage. Is he getting cage aggression of just bossy? Second thing, he doesn't know he can fly so he walks all over the place up the stairs down the stairs. At first he would attack us when he was on the floor. One night I was sitting on the floor and he came running with his wings up and mouth open. Silly me thinking this was a bluff it was not. He is now for lunging. I have to wrap a towel around my arm and wear an oven mitt to get him to step up (he hates towels). I need a dog attack suit lol. I did notice he only acts like this at night. During the day we can play on the floor and will step up with little problems. Why at night does he turn into Dr. Jeckle? Lastly, and probably my biggest concern is he is regurgitating a lot. He has regurgitated for the curtain rod, a rock, the carpet a lot and on my daughters bed. He has even done it on his tree stand. This can't be good for his body. Has anyone else experienced this before? He likes to follow the lines in our hardwood floors with his beak. Is he getting over stimulated? Thanks in advance

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, welcome to the forum, and MANY congrats on adopting Wesley!

He is a GORGEOUS B&G!!!

The behavior you describe sounds quite hormonal to me, especially the excessive regurgitation, AND the attack while he's on the floor.

How does he behave while he is on his playstand? Can you easily pick him up from there, or does he lunge then, too?

He might be tired in the evening, and a tired mac is a cranky mac, and a cranky mac is much more likely to lash out than a well rested one.

It's also possible that the "honeymoon" phase is now over, and Wesley might be trying to see what he can get away with. The are MASTERS of manipulation, and they will very quickly learn if they can intimidate someone.

 

[Birdbrain91]

Thanks Wendy, he is getting much better on the play stand. Now he will lift his foot when he wants to step up. Before he would do this and then lunge. I know he was testing me but after getting bitten so many times I'm sure he could sense my hesitation. I'm just trying to find that fine line of not forcing him to something and not letting him think he can boss me around. I have a feeling that will be a life long quest. If you could move this to the Macaw section that would be great. Thanks again.

 

[JerseyWendy]

How is it going with the B&G????

 

[gizzygirl]

My camilla gets cranky and nippy at night. He has a cage time of 7:30 p.m. or lookout! Lol

 

[Birdbrain91]

Last night he was really good playing on the floor (it was dark but still early).I was putting

books away in my daughters room and he walked up and climbed onto my lap and just

looked at me. I was so excited it made me think he was trusting me more. This morning

he's being bossy this morning.

I was thinking about him being hormonal and am I doing it to him. When he is in a good

mood I'll give him a hug and pet his back. If I walk around with him I'll put my hand on his

back so he doesn't fall off. Not to sound like a sicko but am I touching him wrong. When do

most Macaws get seasonal hormonal? Or is it an age thing? I've seen 2 different documents

that list different ages. So he could be 10 or 13.

 

[JerseyWendy]

At either 10 or 13 he very well "could" be hormonal.

Instead of holding his back, may I suggest you simply hold him on your arm, and very close to your torso? That way he will feel secure, and won't topple off. Some folks put their thumb on their birds' feet to keep them in place. I sometimes do this with Ripley, my Green Wing, especially if he persists on perching on my head.

As long as your new boy is "moody", I would not allow him to roam on the floor. Be persistent, and keep putting him back on his playstand and/or cage.