Bird's going psycho?? HELP!

[xoauderiiox]

Hey, i'm new here and really need some help. I just rescued a scarlet macaw who is a female and 6 years old. She apparently was always distant with her old owners but was great with me and my family. I've only had her three days now and she started by stepping up to everyone and letting us pet her to climbing off her cage just to lunge at us. She even attacks her own talons when she gets upset now. She was doing so good until she just snapped. She eats normal and is out of her cage almost all day. She will also still take treats from our hands still, I'm so confused!!

 

[bob1]

How old is she? I don't have a macaw but it may be hormonal.

 

[Merlee]

I have read that certain macaws bite their legs when disturbed about certain things. This may be normal for this particular type of macaw.

 

[xoauderiiox]

She is 6 years old, and we thought she just wanted our attention at first to but she's becoming more aggressive with it now it's becoming a problem.

 

[Mariahh0721]

Your rushing with her, the same thing happened to my grey their the best behaved their first few days. Because there somewhere new, what would you think if you were thrown in some random persons house. But take it slow step back a couple steps give her treats and sit and talk to her. So she can trust you. I kept pushing my grey and he ended up hating me so I had to start negative with him because he disliked me so much.

 

[legal_eagle]

Your rushing with her, the same thing happened to my grey their the best behaved their first few days. Because there somewhere new, what would you think if you were thrown in some random persons house. But take it slow step back a couple steps give her treats and sit and talk to her. So she can trust you. I kept pushing my grey and he ended up hating me so I had to start negative with him because he disliked me so much.

I agree with this. I would not even try to pick up a new bird for a week, at least. Interact with her by talking to her, and sitting close to her. Let her take things more at her pace. Observe what is upsetting to her and get to know her body language ... you can tell a lot from how a bird is acting (if he's interested in being touched or wants to be left alone, for example).

 

[xoauderiiox]

i'll try that just to slow down, i was thinking that but wanted to be sure. it is so hard to actually read her i guess since shes so new shes acting this way but things that would normally come before a good thing will end up meaning shes angry the next day shes so confusing!

 

[MikeyTN]

Lola actually does the same thing, she starts to bite her own foot when she's agitated. She's gonna try to over run you! I work with ALL my birds from day one, I don't just leave them be for a week, I work with them right away. I started working with Lola the very evening after I got her home.

Scarlet macaws are known to be nippy and have a bit of emotional issue. This is the reason why they don't usually make a good pet because they're temperamental. I would highly suggest in using a training stick with her to get to where you want her to go and be stern with her or she will run you over. Is there a specific person she prefers???

 

[xoauderiiox]

Yes she actually prefers my boyfriend. When we first got her home she was great with me but she got to loving him and now i'm the enemy it seems. Apparently she prefers men and it seems she already chose him so it's tough on what to do. I try to be stern but then she shrikes and attacks her feet again. Ugh!

 

[MikeyTN]

I have noticed when they attack their own foot like that is when they're upset. When they feel threatened by something or someone, they will do that to themselves. Lola does it when the dogs is too close to her, or if I'm not paying her any attention, or my partner is too close to her.

She apparently chose your bf to be her person. Your a threat to her! You need to be the one that feeds her, cleans her cage, giving her treats, etc. Just YOU! Don't let your bf give her any treats and she will learn to tolerate you. When you try to train her, your bf should not be around when you do so. Lola tolerates my partner when I am not home. They know when their person is home. Then Lola acts evil towards my partner. Don't let him back off of her though! Cause she will develop further emotional issues if he let her be. I know you would like to be able to handle her and such, but she's at a stage where it can further complicate things as she may start plucking and such. Lola started that before we got her so I'm assuring her every day that I'm right here. You just need to work with her slowly and over time.