Adopted first macaw.. Need some advice!

[Tyler2691]

First I'd like to say, I'm new to the forum so hi everyone!
I recently got a Catalina macaw from an exotic bird adoption. She had been there for around 4-5 months and did not receive very much attention from her previous owner..
After owning several cockatoos and cockatiels, I decided to get her!

I'm having some issues with getting her to step up and not bite..
She will bow her head and sway her body side to side and make cute noises and occasionally scream 'helloo' but everytime I will move my wrist in to have her step up she will quickly climb back into her cage. After 20 or so minutes of doing the dance inside the cage, she will again stand on the top of the door and start the dance all over.

Before, she would only stay inside her cage and if I tried to even move my arm in she would bite (I would not call it a nibble as she actually pierced my skin once..) but she has stopped that all of a sudden.. I work at home and I decided to keep the cage in my office so I could spend as much time as possible bonding with her.

I was only able to pick her up one time. I held her close to my stomach and rubbed her neck while her beak was pressed against my body till she nearly fell asleep! I did this for about 20 minutes and decided to put her back on to her cage. No luck since.. While at the shelter I took her out multiple times throughout my various visits (her cuddliness is why I liked her so much.) but since she has gotten home, it has been nothing like that..
I hope you all can give me some good advice as like I said this is my first macaw! Thanks a ton.

 

[MikeyTN]

Welcome to the forum!!!!

She needs time to adjust!!!! Have you tried using a perch? The main thing is get her away from her cage to train her. Do you have a playstand? Otherwise try to get her on your arms from the perch, sometimes they're better about going from perch to arm since she's been on your arms before. Play with her, talk with her, time will make things better!!!!

 

[Blancaej]

Hi Tyler and Welcome!

I adopted a greenwing macaw about a month and a half ago. I really started slow with her. She was cage bound and the owner didn't take her out of her cage everyday. So first I just talk to her from the cage for a few days and fed her treats through the bars. Then I started to open her door and just would sit on a chair and talk to her. I would offer treats and she eventually would come down to get them. Luckily she was stick trained and when I had to get her out, I used that but I really didn't do a lot of that at first to give her space and time to get used to me.

Once she seemed comfortable I got her out of the cage using the stick on a regular basis. Then I was finally able to get her to step up on my arm. One day I approached her cage when her door was open and she stuck her claw out and hopped right on. From that day forward, I am able to get her to step up on my arm. But she won't do it if she is hanging out on the outside of her cage. She is cage territorial so when I can I have her on a playgym and she is much more cooperative.

Before I adopted her I came on this forum and everyone was great with suggestions and help on how to transition her to her new home. My best advice is to just be patient and go at her pace.

Now that Savannah is comfortable with me I have been having her try new things and experiences. But she trusts me now, so I know she can handle it!

Good luck! She sounds great and I'm sure with a little time and patience she will be a great birdie buddie!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi Tyler.

Your new baby needs time to settle into her new surroundings. Everything is new to her right now. New people, new environment, new sounds, new everything. She may feel a wee bit overwhelmed until she realizes you are not out to harm her.

You need to earn her trust first. I would start with sitting by her cage, reading and/or talking to her softly (avoid eye contact if it makes her nervous), and then offer her some treats.

Getting her out of the cage with a perch is probably a GREAT idea, but first wait until she's comfortable in her new surroundings.

Each time you want her to step up on the perch, give her the "step up" command, so she will soon know what you want from her.

Time and patience will go a long way with these big guys and gals.

Best of luck, and don't hesitate to ask questions.

 

[Tyler2691]

Thank you all for the help! I fed her a banana and she instantly came onto a perch and from the perch onto my arm. Great ideas thank you so much! I will continue to post my progression with Avi

 

[Tyler2691]

You say reading would help? I would have never thought of that! But you guys have far more experience with macaws ill read some children books.
Another question.. She keeps letting out this quite little squak almost like a hello but very low and not really a hello haha

 

[JerseyWendy]

You say reading would help? I would have never thought of that! But you guys have far more experience with macaws ill read some children books.
Another question.. She keeps letting out this quite little squak almost like a hello but very low and not really a hello haha

Yes, reading/talking helps a LOT! Avi will get to know your voice, AND they understand a whole lot more than what many give them credit for.

Children's books are a GREAT idea. Many big macs respond well to a little "baby talk", if you know what I mean.

The noises you describe could be "lovy sounds", she is responding in a good way.

 

[MikeyTN]

They like to play peek-a-boo. Treat them like kids, laugh with them, be silly, etc. They like it!!!! Both of mine purrs like a kitty when I pet them.

 

[Tyler2691]

Hey guys! I recently discovered that Avi loves noodles.. I brought some into my office and the moment she saw them, she started dancing and making cute noises. Would feeding her by hand be a good way to bond with her? Could I use her newly discovered love as help with getting to know her? Thanks guys!

 

[JerseyWendy]

WOW Avi is GORGEOUS!!!

Yes, yes, yes....feeding her by hand is a GREAT way to bond.

 

[Blancaej]

Yes 1) Reading good, very good 2) Feeding her by hand good, very good

Your doing great. Keep it up!