Adopting a Scarlett Macaw

[Bijan.parandeh]

Hi guys!
I’m new to the forum- and realized I double-typed the t in Scarlet after posting...
Got involved with large parrots 15 years ago volunteering at A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife in Chicagoland and fell in love since.
I have experience with large macaws and fostered a military for a while who was a grumpy one but eventually I tamed her down and stopped biting.

I am adopting a Scarlett from the Bay Area SPCA in four to six months. She is not a biter but a bit cage aggressive.
My concerns are that when she was relinquished she came in with chlamydia and a skin infection. They have cleared but I know chlamydia can stay latent.
The adopting fee is $800 which is significantly cheaper than any other bird I’ve ever adopted from a shelter/refuge but I have my hesitations due to her health history. She’s also 35 years old.
Any thoughts? I’ll probably be posting frequently once I’ve brought her in to update. Pic below!
Thanks!
Bijan

 

[SailBoat]

Very sorry that our Macaw group have missed your Thread. Sadly, it happens from time to time.

So you are a lover of the big guys!!! And, have taken-on a demanding one or more. We work solely with Amazons and then only the older ones, commonly ill and more commonly abused with no want to ever deal with another Human again. When they come to our home, which of course, they quickly claim as their own. At that point we are faced with regaining their health, with all that is entailed in such an undertaking, it is a very deep hole to recover a relationship from. Love and understand, plus working at their pace just works..

Now on to the Mac you are considering:
- The picture would suggest you have meet the Mac, Yes? If so, did s/he try to kill you or just sat there with some interests in you? If the latter you effort will be easier.
- It appears that Mac has very seriously over-clipped wings! That can be a problem for the Mac as they begin to close back-in.
- As with the issues stated, there is clearly a fair amount of body feathers missing as well.
- The cost likely defines the issue still faces this Mac and the fact that most "I Want A Mac Chasers" want a much prettier Mac!
- Also, the group that has the Mac are not well known for their understanding of Avians, let alone a big one, and want to move s/he as quickly as possible.

If I was a Mac Guy, which I am not, I would have the Mac first to a Certified Avian Vet (CAV) and then Home, ASAP!

Why? This 's/he' has been though the ringer and wants /needs someone to love and be loved by. My most needy have been my biggest lovers.

Do You Current Have Parrots??? You need to confirm the issues surrounding chlamydia as I really need to reintroduce myself to that one. A local CAV can quickly provide you with detailed information and requirements.

For us, it has never been a question of should we, its always been a question when can we get s/he to our CAV and home. Remember that Mac's can live until they're in their 80's, and this one is yet to hit middle age. Yes, sick Parrots can also die quickly and you are left heartbroken. We strongly believe in its is Better to Have Loved and Lost -- than to have Never Loved...

Hey are you a Windy City Guy or a West Coaster, now!!!! Questioning people want to know!

Find an CAV in your area!!!
Get going you have work to do!!! And a joy just in front of you!!! So, what are you waiting for!!! If you are still questioning this move, simply have that Mac Bonk you a hard one on your head...

 

[SailBoat]

Okay, it took me a few seconds to find and update myself regarding:

Chlamydia psittaci

You need to find a CAV like right now! Once you have found such a Avian Professional, you need to let s/he know that you are considering a 35 year old Mac with Chlamydia psittaci. The Bay Area Group should have a detailed medical record of this Mac and such be 'fully' willing to provide a copy of the document to your Newly Claimed CAV and yes, you should be willing to pay the CAV to review the Mac's records and provide a report to you. FYI: That record should have a DNA test as part of it plus original and recent full spectrum Blood Test results.

Two: You need to contact you Personal Doctor and inform your Doctor you are considering bring a Mac (large parrot for most Docs) that has confirmed Chlamydia psittaci. Based on your medical records, your Doctor(s) will provide you with their opinion based on your current health status. Your Doctor will reference any past issues you may have /had and recommend you consider a medication, if needed.

It is likely that you maybe required to have your Mac full blood or specific blood screen every 'X' number of months or quarters of a years. It is standard practice with us and we just roll it into the our budget.

All things being neutral, I would still be a player. But that is just me!

FYI: Any pre-costs you incur, I would reduce from their asking cost... And, there is no shame in asking for a lower cost if you are looking at regular 'required' Avian Professional visits.

 

[Bijan.parandeh]

Thank you!

I'm visiting her (apparently a she) next week but had some lengthy (and probably to them irritating) discussions with them over the phone where I basically drilled them on her background and how she was being taken care of lol.
She prefers men (which is a plus but honestly I don't take it into account too much unless the bird is extremely sensitive) and has not bitten anyone yet expect once gripped onto someone as she fell off her arm. Also apparently substantially quiet than other macaws- we'll see what happens when her personality blossoms a little. Which to me sounded bizarre and dreamy, but hey- maybe I lucked out.

Yes I don't plan on clipping her wings- so will be good for her to be able to get those feathers again. Apparently she came from quite a rough background and is transitioning onto a pellet diet right now. I look forward to expanding that bandwidth to an even healthier diet- she's on the chubby side.
I'm looking forward to bonding with her but I agree, I'll get them to take to her a vet ASAP. Or I will if they don't.
It didn't occur to me to take myself to the vet if she had been cleared of Chlamydia but that is an EXCELLENT idea anyway. Thank you!

Yes I'm actually Canadian, born in Vancouver. I grew up in the North Shore of Chicago which is when I was affiliated with the Refuge for Saving the Wildlife (which is a GREAT shelter for anyone who needs boarding in Chicago or just wants to help out). I wanted to volunteer at Mickaboo here in the Bay but they never got back to me.

I'll take a video when I visit and post here. You guys can do all the analyses!
Bijan

 

[SailBoat]

Thanks for the update!
Look forward to the video.

Wow, you been traveling. Welcome to Southern Canada!

Enjoy!

 

[Laurasea]

Welcome! Thank you for taking one of the many parrots needing a new home!! Whoo hoo! So fantastic!!!

The Chlamydia psittaci, if treated long enough with antibiotics should be no problem. Many parrots are exposed to this and clear in their own, or clear and become carriers. But if treated should be fine. You can ask for a culture to see if she still has it, then treat again.

Look forward to hearing if your journey Togo.

,

 

[Bijan.parandeh]

So visited her today,
They exaggerated a little over the phone. Very curious and loves being pet but no understanding of stepping up and uncomfortable just standing on cage in terms of stability.
Very sweet but will require a lot of work. I was tempted to just grab her feet but didn’t want to risk a bite the first time I met her.
Also EXTREMELY small for a Scarlett. Like tiny.
Apparently prev owner had her for 30 years and never once let her out of cage so fact I was able to pet her was pretty fascinating.
I had to constantly interact with the macaw in the cage next to her to get her jealous enough to come back out of her cage. Otherwise she was too nervous.

Went well, they asked to give me some time to process my app but apparently everyone else who is interested has no experience. I was also pleasantly surprised by her set up- pretty large cage and lots of attention constantly for her.
Apparently they Towel her whenever they have to get her off cage and then she is more willing to step up.
And predictably she was receptive to treats thank god.