BGM Aruba

[TexDot33]

I was told by our vet that there is absolutely no useful information on those
bands. I am sure that you could try to figure out the code if you found the Rosetta Stone but other wise, it's a waste of time.

There is no centralized data base for breeders that you can look for their information on your bird's band ... I am sure, however, that you could track down the breeder easily enough. These big shops usually only have one or two suppliers ...

 

[Alsquared]

Any tips on finding those out?

So, Tex, the leg band is only useful if she flew off and I had to identify her...that's fine with me. I'd like to ask the vet to microchip her next time I bring her in. My cats refuse to wear collars so they're both 'chipped.

 

[TexDot33]

Any tips on finding those out?

Google it ... "bird suppliers for ___________ " who knows what will come up?

So, Tex, the leg band is only useful if she flew off and I had to identify her...that's fine with me. I'd like to ask the vet to microchip her next time I bring her in. My cats refuse to wear collars so they're both 'chipped.

Unless you have a bill of sale that shows that band number being sold to you it's useless ... I would suggest that you have the band removed and have Aruba Microchipped ... I wanted to have my two microchipped but they aren't big enough (they need to be at least 125 grams to microchipped) ... I think that the bands can cause more issues with getting caught in their cages and getting hurt ... I personally don't like them.

 

[Alsquared]

Another question: Aruba's lower mandible seems to be occasionally flaking off at the upper edge - thin vertical flakes. Should I be concerned?

Re: the leg band thing - I'm working on it.

As always, thanks for the advice!!

 

[TexDot33]

Another question: Aruba's lower mandible seems to be occasionally flaking off at the upper edge - thin vertical flakes. Should I be concerned?

Nope, normal ... unless it's a lot of flaking ... that can be a sign of vitamin A deficiency ... but I am sure that that is not the issue here ... if you are feeding everything to Aruba that you listed, it's not an issue at all ..

 

[Alsquared]

Thanks, Tex, I'll try to post some macro shots of her beak. I'd send them to my vet as well but my emails get bounced back to me and we're still tyring to figure out the problem.

AND yes, of course, a couple of other questions: will she learn to talk clearly? I know she's just a baby and BGM's aren't the best talkers but she seems to pick up on the tone or lilt of a repeated phrase easily (i.e.:"are you ok?" 4 syllables w/upward lilt); "I'm OK" 3 syllables w/downward lilt).

The other question: I have repeatedly told hubby not to let her on his shoulder. He says she's more comfortable and physically stable there than on his wrist and forearm. I refuse to let her on my shoulder. Yes, this is a mixed message, and I don't punish her for trying to get to my shoulder (I just raise my wrist above the level of my head) but is it possible for a bird to learn that a behavior for one person is acceptable but not for the other?

 

[TexDot33]

AND yes, of course, a couple of other questions: will she learn to talk clearly? I know she's just a baby and BGM's aren't the best talkers but she seems to pick up on the tone or lilt of a repeated phrase easily (i.e.:"are you ok?" 4 syllables w/upward lilt); "I'm OK" 3 syllables w/downward lilt).

There is no guarantee that any bird will talk, even a amazon or a grey ... but it seems that parrots acquire human language the same way a child develops language, by talking to them, using words in context, evolving them in conversations. Also the 1-year age seems to be very important too, it seems that at one year old there seems to be a language explosion. So it's still kinda early to tell with Aruba

The other question: I have repeatedly told hubby not to let her on his shoulder. He says she's more comfortable and physically stable there than on his wrist and forearm. I refuse to let her on my shoulder. Yes, this is a mixed message, and I don't punish her for trying to get to my shoulder (I just raise my wrist above the level of my head) but is it possible for a bird to learn that a behavior for one person is acceptable but not for the other?

When thinking about situations with behavior with your birds, you should approach them like you are dealing with your child ... in this case, dad allows something, mom doesn't ... well, the child (Aruba in this case) learns who he/she can manipulate and who will let her get away with things ... You should present a unified front on behavior issues.

As with hight dominance ... it's arguable both ways ... I don't personally think that there is an issue, but I could be persuaded that there is. I think that the more important issue here is to establish boundaries with Aruba make sure that she knows what is allowed and what will not be allowed ... remember the worst thing you can do to a macaw is isolate and ignore them, these creatures are HIGHLY, HIGHLY social, establish yourself as BIG BIRD/ FLOCK LEADER and make sure that Aruba knows she ISN'T in charge ...

(also, don't let her know that she is capable of 900 psi of pressure when she bites ... you can't be afraid of that beak!)

:50:

 

[Auggie's Dad]

On the shoulder issue:

Height makes might in the bird world. However I believe the shoulder-taboo is highly overstated. Letting them on your shoulders should not make them aggressive, dominant, or any other form of evil. However if they ARE aggressive its a very bad place for them to be - getting a forearm bite hurts, getting an eyeball popped out... well that can ruin a day.

However on the flip side I'd encourage that if you are going to let her on shoulders it should be on YOUR terms not hers. "I don't punish her for trying to get to my shoulder" - Don't let her run the relationship. Whether or not shoulders are acceptable is a decision for you to make, then enforce. In other words, if you allow her on your shoulder thats great, but DONT allow her to climb up to your shoulder after an attempt to discourage it. No means no.

Can animals learn that a behavior is acceptable in one setting and not another (his shoulder but not yours)? Absolutely, just look at any kids behavior when dad is around versus when mom is around, they can get away with different things and they know it. However it will be quicker, easier, and smoother learning if both of you present the same rules.

I always advise pet owners to be very careful about the rules they choose. Many people tend to make many rules and only enforce some of them, this establishes a VERY bad pattern. Pets should have relatively few rules, but they should be enforced absolutely. In line with that I think the biggest no-no in training is the word "no" itself. Use it (or any other verbal correction) sparingly - never bluff. If you say no, but then you let them get away with it "no" doesn't mean anything.

 

[Alsquared]

Thx, everyone for the advice! It seems that she understands hubby's limits and mine separately...such a smart bird....

As I promised before, some closeups of her beak - is this a health problem? Have emailed the avian vet but no response s of yet.

 

[TexDot33]

Aruba is like 6 months old right ... and you have had her checked out by a vet right ... there's just more flaking than I have seen before on such a young bird. I am sure that it's nothing and just normal beak growth!

 

[Alsquared]

She's 8 months old now...and yes, I took her to the avian vet 1 1/2 months ago, when I first got her, and she checked out fine...

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I know next to nothing of BGMs, but I do know Auggie's beak looked pretty horrible for his first year. Every vet visit he got a sanding down with a dremmel then a mineral oil coating. For the past two years however he has not needed any beak work.

I don't know if it was an age thing, or perhaps stress of moving into a new home. But once the "healthy" beak grew in it hasn't gone back.

These pics don't look like anything that stands out as a health problem, but as always have the vet check it out.

 

[TexDot33]

I know with Amazons that the first 2 years is pretty smooth, and then for like until they are 10 or so, their beaks are horrible, then they smooth out again ... I am heading to my shop tomorrow ... I will ask around and see about the normal growth pattern of a BG beak ...

 

[zarafia]

Oh her beak is just fine, don't fret. Buy yourself a lot of emory boards, cheap ones. Use the fine side to gently smooth the beak all over. She will most likely destroy them very quickly and you should keep your sessions short and fun for her. You don't have to apply much pressure just sand away. For a shiny finish wet a paper towel lightly with olive oil and rub it in to the beak. Be careful not to get too much oil on the paper towel or it could get on her feathers.

 

[Alsquared]

thx, everyone! Zarafia I will try the emery board and olive oil thing...will post pics...

 

[Peanut]

Regarding the peanuts - I was advised that many peanuts contain a fungus that could be potentially dangerous for the bird when ingested. We NEVER gave Peanut (our birdie is names Peanut ) peanuts for that reason. She loves the mixed nuts from the grocery store (Walnuts, almonds in the shell, hazelnuts), but her favorite nuts are pine nuts in the shell. They are hard to come across, I have mine shipped from the bird store. They are a great treat and not too messy since they are small. My bird also loves banana, oatmeal, cheese (tiny amounts since they cannot digest dairy) and chicken on occasion.