Adopted a severe macaw,need advice

[Mariar]

My 22 year old Amazon passed away on Mother's Day. I'm still so sad to a point I have a hard time eating. Anyways saw an ad on Craigslist for a mini macaw,at first I said no then realized this poor thing has no toys,always in the cage and is on wild bird food diet....sooooo my heart said yes! They think it's a girl,she has a small vocabulary,doesn't step up or like the stick to step up,her reaction indicates maybe stick abuse,he nails are overgrown and she has flight feathers,we have a flight cage and she had no problems flying lol.
I need advice...all I can get...my doolie was amazing and easy..she's going to be a challenge but becuz of her age I need to start right away with training and talking. Pictures are on my profile..please have a look

 

[Flboy]

This may help,
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/WLA_cma_Suit_of_armor_c_1530_steel.jpg

But you'r doing a great thing!

 

[akrrm]

Congrats on your new family member.

 

[Mariar]

That's cute flboy...she hasn't bitten me yet but I'm sure it will happen

 

[Birdman666]

I've done some posts on severe behaviors. They are the most challenging NAC out there in many ways. I would definitely start with a towel wrapped around your arm...

 

[RavensGryf]

Congratulations. I know your heart is still far from healed, and I hope things go well for you and your new little guy. Best of luck as you get to know each other . Yes, read Mark's posts on Severes.

 

[Mariar]

Thanx for the advice..where can I find these posts? So far she HATES my boyfriend and she's real nippy, but I have managed to pet her head a little.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here are some threads where our Mark (Birdman) posted:

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/52787-severe-macaw.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/52055-new-severe-macaw-mommy.html

 

[Mariar]

After reading those posts I'm starting to rethink this bird..I mean I say that but I'll probably keep her anyway...so I guess my boyfriend is really going to have to do his part otherwise she will just like me...I just miss my doolie...he was easy compared to this one lol

 

[Mariar]

I also could use advice on diet, I mixed a healthy blend of pellets with her wild bird seed (that is what they fed her not me) and she seems to love fresh fruit and dried bananas..what else should I try..what kind of veggies?

 

[Doublete]

Go to the food section of the board and search "chop" it'll give you a list of veggie and fruit options.
Just avoid the toxic ones... Everything else is fair game!

 

[Mariar]

Thank you..I need so much help with this bird..she's so mean. I'm not use to this. This morning she did eat what I put out but definitely went thru the bowl and threw out the things she didn't want..lol

 

[Flboy]

Thank you..I need so much help with this bird..she's so mean. I'm not use to this. This morning she did eat what I put out but definitely went thru the bowl and threw out the things she didn't want..lol

Reading your other post, I understand your hurt! This little gal isn't mean, just very scared. The bigger the front, the bigger the back!
And I am sure she wants to be boss! Definitely a tough situation for you both. Remember, tho, she is a Mac, and yes, you are bringing her out of a bad situation, but she lost everything she had as a bond too, so she is also hurting!
Scared + hurting = attitude! Being a Severe Macaw to begin with makes it adventure-sum, but a well earned bond/love is deep.
You had a great relationship with Doolie, and my daughter, vet tech, cringed every time an Amazon was brought in! She could handle any but.

 

[Birdman666]

Well, as I said in one of my earlier posts, Severe's are the one bird that initally react to change by being just generally PISSED OFF AT THE WORLD and behaving like little stinkers.

You have to start over with them from square one. And they generally need to be re-socialized from square one. And they are quite opinionated and short tempered little birds...

Just start over from square one, act as if this is a NOT TAME bird, and you are starting from scratch with basic step up, no biting, and touch training.

Overbonding is a huge deal with these guys.

Obviously, I'm biased, and I'm not a fan.

 

[Mariar]

Thank you for all the advice..today was rough for me but I do understand that I have to start over with this new bird..haven't figured out a name yet..some new words came up and we have determined that her other parronts were always fighting.. And really neglected her, she has never been out of her tiny cage and me being me ..lol am pushy and her being her is pushy..this is going to be a challenge..and she bit me tonight but I told her it was ok and she told me..no it's not...(for real.) I'm making chop tomorrow..she seems thin to me when I touched her belly...my new journey begins,she's so beautiful, I sit outside for hours with her..she deserves every chance I gave my doolie when he first came into my life. That said I still will take all advice ..lol

 

[Doublete]

Good! No other animal ever compares to the one you have lost. Good thing we as animal lovers have huge hearts with lots of room!

 

[Dopey]

Ok - I will speak up. I have three Severe's now and I love them all. They all have different personalities but friendly is front and center of them all. However, I love the big macs, just don't have one because of the weight of them.

I have learned when they have an attitude to leave them alone. When I walk away they usually call me back. They all do the macaw lunge while in their cage or on top of the cage. But put them on your lap or in your arms and they are your buddy. Mine all hate the phone and the camera on the phone. I have one who given the chance will bite the phone or pick it up and throw it. Seriously, she will leave the remotes right next to the phone alone but not the phone...she has to bite the phone.

Mark is right. Start from scratch but it probably won't take as long. Two of mine scream when they see the towel come out and I use it on my newest one everyday (he doesn't scream when he sees it though). The other day I laid a towel on my lap just to see what Jingle would do. He came down and played with the towel. Made tunnels with it and had a really good time. The next time he saw it he screamed like I was killing him. Once he's in it...he settles down and lets me cuddle with him. I want the towel to be a good thing for all of them.

I totally get it if this isn't the bird for you. I'm the same way with Amazon's. It doesn't make you a bad person it is what it is. But please try it for a few more weeks. And yes - my favorite has bitten me but when he bites...he lets go right away. We are learning together what the boundaries are.

Good luck and PM me if you have any questions. I'm around...I'm just trying to keep my mouth shut.

Jingle is a she not a he.

 

[Mariar]

Thanks I hope I don't bother you to much with questions..lol..today we did have a break thru..I got her to eat sweet potatoes,broccoli with honey,raw spinach, and granola with fax and chia seeds..and she played tug of war with a box with me . This little girl needs me as much as I need her..I'm not going to give up, it's just been a big adjustment.i keep a towel near her and show it to her all the time ..her nails are wicked long and I know I have to cut them soon..arrgg.

 

[Mariar]

My new macaw had her first wing clipping today..it looked like her last owner tried to cut em,but she sooo good!! I laid on the floor with her afterwards and she climbed on top of me, she's becoming quite a character! I still need to try and get her to eat new things other than sunflower seed. I made chop but she's not into new things yet.

 

[LeaKP]

I'm so happy to hear you're making progress. They are such amazing creatures.