Aggressive B&G Macaw

[michell448]

I currently have a neighbor who adopted a B&G(17). He was nice the first week of them having him(they have 3 small children). After that he bonded with her and he won't let anyone near her and if he is out he spreads his wings to show you how big he is. And attacks people. Anyone in the house. They have asked me if I would take him. I currently have a 22 year old B&G I adopted and I have no problems with her. She really only likes me, but she is not aggressive. Just give a warning nip to others. I also have an TAG and an IRN. I am thinking about taking their B&G in, but I have to have my whole family agree on taking in an aggressive bird. Any thoughts or ideas? I know they can take him back to the parrot rescue and I know that the parrot rescue that they adopted him from will be fine with me taking him because that is where I adopted my B&G. Just trying to make the right choice before turning the poor birds work upside down again. So any help or ideas would be great!

 

[pamcor57]

I currently have a neighbor who adopted a B&G(17). He was nice the first week of them having him(they have 3 small children). After that he bonded with her and he won't let anyone near her and if he is out he spreads his wings to show you how big he is. And attacks people. Anyone in the house. They have asked me if I would take him. I currently have a 22 year old B&G I adopted and I have no problems with her. She really only likes me, but she is not aggressive. Just give a warning nip to others. I also have an TAG and an IRN. I am thinking about taking their B&G in, but I have to have my whole family agree on taking in an aggressive bird. Any thoughts or ideas? I know they can take him back to the parrot rescue and I know that the parrot rescue that they adopted him from will be fine with me taking him because that is where I adopted my B&G. Just trying to make the right choice before turning the poor birds work upside down again. So any help or ideas would be great!

Wow..they adopted him, now they want to get rid of him already. I think they should give him a chance to settle into his new home. HE has been threw alot. I think he is just trying to settle in and figure out who is who. I own two B&G's. I think if "you" decide to take him in right now he will be more confused. But if you give him a chance to settle in for awhile at your house I think he will have a good home with you. Remember, he has been threw alot already, he needs to feel safe number one, and he needs to know someone will love him, they can sence that. I think he will be fine when he stops being scared. I hope he never returns to the rescue, because everytime he goes from one person and surrounding to another it hurts him personality wise. Good luck to him, and to you if you save him.

 

[michell448]

He has not lived with them long about 5 weeks. I know it took my TAG about a year to love and trust me. I am just unsure of how to go about handling his aggression. I have never had an aggressive bird, but I don't want him to go back to the rescue. I also have 5 kids the youngest being 13. So I don't have little one like they do. They are great, but they have so many birds! And 4 is my limit at my house and if I take him that would be 4 for me.

 

[MikeyTN]

A lot of the big parrots are one person birds. I don't think its right for the family to adopt him then get rid of him when he's only been with them for 5 weeks. They didn't do their research to begin with. There are ways to still have the bird even through aggression to everyone else but you, only means you just place him on a stand near by you when you watch tv. Have him out on you when your alone and such. My macaw is a one person bird and we have no issues here! I got him as an aggressive bird that attacks everyone but his previous mom that hand raised him. He's always been fine with me except during his hormone period....IF you want to adopt him, give him a try and see what happens as its harsh to move the bird from home to home, especially in such short period...

 

[RescueMe]

Some birds with aggression are manageable in a family setting, while others can be plain dangerous. Has the woman over bonded with the bird? You may have some success if you work to have a bird that will tolerate all of the family even if that means not lunging at everyone. Many times management is the issue, light exposure, dark places available to the bird, ect. Aggression can be a hard cycle to break, so it must be a full commitment from everyone to change the behavior. Target training is a good way to bond and give purpose to a bird and behaviors like going to a perch and staying can be good for a bird who is aggressive. Good luck if you decide to take him on.

 

[michell448]

He loves her very much. She can handle him just fine. The problem is all of her kids are under 8 and when he lunges and bites he latches on. Her youngest is 2 so it can be quite dangerous for the kids. I don't have young kids. But I am scared of him. when I have gone over there he doesn't lung at me, but spreads his wings. I can't touch him at all. So if I were to bring him home would he need to stay in his cage for awhile before I let him out. Target training is a great idea I will do more research on that. I would like my kids to be able to be able to be around him without him lunging or attacking. The 3 birds we have are one person birds, but they don't attack or lunge. they just won't let anyone pick them up. 2 out of the 3 birds are my birds they let my husband pick them up, but won't stay on him. Is it right for me to take on a bird that I am fearful of? Would I be able to work with him? At the rescue he was fine. He let anyone hold him with no problems.

 

[RescueMe]

Sometimes it is a matter of management and environment. I use a lot of positive reinforcement that helps both the bird and the handler to gain confidence. I understand the fear factor, but if you are going into it with an arsenal of tools to help deal with it, you have a good chance of success. It may be worth a try, but is really a commitment that you have to be prepared for.. It certainly doesn't seem like a safe environment for anyone where he is at.

 

[MikeyTN]

Once he's in a totally different environment he will be different then the one he's in now. It's really up to you if you want to take on this task of rehabilitating him.

 

[michell448]

Well I think I will talk to my family some more and try to get my arsenal ready. this will require more research on my part. And I assume I won't want to put him in my bird room. None of my birds are friendly with each other, but they do talk to each other a lot.

 

[michell448]

My 16 year old said his cage could be put in her room and she would try to work with him. When he is ready then we could start bringing him downstairs on a stand? Does this seem like an ok idea?

 

[MikeyTN]

That works as long as she's able to keep up with the task. Not one day your in, next your out deal....

 

[QuackQuack]

My 16 year old said his cage could be put in her room and she would try to work with him. When he is ready then we could start bringing him downstairs on a stand? Does this seem like an ok idea?

It could be until the 16 year old fledges herself and isn't living with you anymore! Then...poor B&G will probably not be happy.

 

[RescueMe]

I think a quarantine period in her room is good, but the bird should really be in an area that makes it possible to be a part of the family.

 

[michell448]

I am going to be doing a lot more research and thinking about this long and hard before I make a decision. I don't want to jump into anything and then regret it later. My heart tells me to take him and my head is telling me think about it longer and do more research. I will listen to my head

 

[pamcor57]

I agree with MIKEYTN.....this Macaw has been in too many places already. The Macaws attitude reflects that. He needs a chance at security. I dont think he is a mean Macaw, I just think he is a nevous wreck from all the different sittuations he's been put threw. I hope you can take him from the person who doesnt want him anymore. Have his cage in a nice quite area in your home and let him be for alittle while, let him check out his surroundings. Let him trust one person at first. Let him get comfortable with you first. You sound like you want to help him, but on the other hand I can sence you dont want to take on another work -in-progress Macaw...am I right? you want to do the right thing for this Macaw....but in the end will you keep him? Are you willing to put in the work that will make him a happy Macaw in the long run? Cause it will take some doing. Please think before you act on this. I still cant believe your friend wants to give him up when she just got him. B&G's are wonderful, if givin the chance.......and time to heal.

 

[Tammy]

I only have an Amazon, but wouldn't hormones have something to do with his behavior? The first mating season Mr. Precious went through after he bonded to me was horrifying for the rest of my family. Not only did he lunge & bite, but would fly up a flight of steps to attack if he heard specific people talking (mainly my mom LOL) He would also fly at people, land on the ground & then chase them through the house. The last two mating seasons have not been anywhere near so severe. If this is his first chance to bond with someone in awhile, couldn't that be why he's being so aggressive? If so, would your friend be willing to stick it out another month or two & see if he calms down then?

I had Mr. Precious' wings clipped last year to protect my kids. Then I worked on taking back control & setting limits. He's back to flying now but is not nearly as snarky & unruly as before. Hope some of this helps.

 

[michell448]

I think they may try working on it for a little while. I have already suggested the hormones issue with them. I have been sending them information I found online. I have also ordered a couple of books to read through to try to help them. The book will benefit me as well I think, but I am doing everything I can do to help them keep him at their house. I am praying it works.