Contemplating adopting a 12.5 yo Yellow Collared Macaw

[anita1216]

So my husband and I are thinking about rescuing/adopting a 12.5yo YCM.
From what I have gathered he is quiet, does not seek out human interaction and plays in his cage with is toys. They basically describe him as not needy. Its my understanding that his previous home kept him covered most of the time.

His diet is seed, I dont believe he has ever been offered much in the way of fresh foods

So macaw people what should we be looking for as far as helping this little fellow adjust if we do adopt?
Diet changes?

We do have other birds, our largest being a Cape. I plan to leave him Qt'd for at least 30 days pending blood work and a thorough check up by our avian vet.

The good, the bad and the ugly? Im looking for any advice, suggestions and "Are you crazy Anita?"

Thanks

 

[SailBoat]

So my husband and I are thinking about rescuing/adopting a 12.5yo YCM.
From what I have gathered he is quiet, does not seek out human interaction and plays in his cage with is toys. They basically describe him as not needy. Its my understanding that his previous home kept him covered most of the time.

His diet is seed, I dont believe he has ever been offered much in the way of fresh foods

So macaw people what should we be looking for as far as helping this little fellow adjust if we do adopt?
Diet changes?

We do have other birds, our largest being a Cape. I plan to leave him Qt'd for at least 30 days pending blood work and a thorough check up by our avian vet.

The good, the bad and the ugly? Im looking for any advice, suggestions and "Are you crazy Anita?"

Thanks

Not an MAC person, but have taken in more than my fair share of Amazons.
Rule One: Never believe anything that the current own has /is telling you! Assume the worst!
Rule Two: Read the first Threads in the MAC Forum high lighted in light blue. Now read anything that BirdMan666 has either started as a Thread or a Post regarding MAC's
Rule Three: Broaden their diet ASAP!

The MAC People will be chiming in quickly here, but this will get you Started!

NOTE: Bird People are already Crazy, so Yes, you're Crazy! Have Fun!

 

[anita1216]

"Not an MAC person, but have taken in more than my fair share of Amazons.
Rule One: Never believe anything that the current own has /is telling you! Assume the worst!
Rule Two: Read the first Threads in the MAC Forum high lighted in light blue. Now read anything that BirdMan666 has either started as a Thread or a Post regarding MAC's
Rule Three: Broaden their diet ASAP!

The MAC People will be chiming in quickly here, but this will get you Started!

NOTE: Bird People are already Crazy, so Yes, you're Crazy! Have Fun!"


I never believe what Im told, Im more of a look, watch and wait type. I realize you will get the best possible description and I take it all with a grain of salt. LOL

I know these little guys are packed full of personality and like all birds each one is different.

Thanks for the affirmation of crazy

 

[BeatriceC]

I have a scarlet macaw, though I'm pretty new to the macaw world.

Diet changes: SLOW!!! Offer up all kinds of stuff, but don't expect him to eat it right away. You can read my thread about converting my amazon from seed to real food. Goofy isn't a macaw, but it'll give you some idea of the process. http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/64460-goofy-seed-addict-his-first-steps-path-recovery.html

Macaws can convert to "wild" pretty fast if they're not handled regularly. On the other hand, they can also be super snuggly. We were told Charlotte was aggressive and couldn't be handled. By day two she was showing signs that she wanted to be held and played with, but was scared. By the end of the first week, we had her stepping up. Now, three months in, she's the biggest snuggle bug in the world. But I work with her pretty much all day every day (lots of short periods throughout the day, as I'm a housewife and I can do it that way).

Bring your patience. It's a two steps forward, one step back kind of thing. Or sometimes it's 100 steps forward and 95 steps back. It can be frustrating, but it's so very worth it.

 

[anita1216]

I have a scarlet macaw, though I'm pretty new to the macaw world.

Diet changes: SLOW!!! Offer up all kinds of stuff, but don't expect him to eat it right away. You can read my thread about converting my amazon from seed to real food. Goofy isn't a macaw, but it'll give you some idea of the process. http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/64460-goofy-seed-addict-his-first-steps-path-recovery.html

Macaws can convert to "wild" pretty fast if they're not handled regularly. On the other hand, they can also be super snuggly. We were told Charlotte was aggressive and couldn't be handled. By day two she was showing signs that she wanted to be held and played with, but was scared. By the end of the first week, we had her stepping up. Now, three months in, she's the biggest snuggle bug in the world. But I work with her pretty much all day every day (lots of short periods throughout the day, as I'm a housewife and I can do it that way).

Bring your patience. It's a two steps forward, one step back kind of thing. Or sometimes it's 100 steps forward and 95 steps back. It can be frustrating, but it's so very worth it.

I would like to think that we are a home that can give him the time and pace he needs to get comfortable.

The thing is? Im ok if he never really wants to be snuggly or friends with us. Birds are all so different and its never one method fits all.

I will definately take a read through your thread

 

[chris-md]

Careful when you say "it's ok if he doesn't want to be friends". I know when I hear that I begin to envision a bird who is never let out of his cage/is cage bound. I'm assuming you aren't providing a flight aviary, which means he could continue to suffer in spite of your best intentions.

 

[anita1216]

When I say its ok that he does not want to be friends what I should clarify is that he would be allowed to be the bird he wants to be, I know many people want a bird that is looking for and seeking out interaction. I have several that are hands off, that are still out of their cages several hours a day and also get aviary time (weather permitting).

All of my birds are stick trained, because a few just bite no matter what I try.

I never want to see any bird kept caged all of the time, that to me is cruel and a punishment they dont deserve. I find myself telling non bird people all the time that these beautiful souls did not ask to be kept in captivity, so its my responsibility to make things as pleasant and enriching as I possibly can.


Im also a realist, if I am not the approproate kind of home then its not something I will do. I have no desire to make his situation any more stressful/hard than it already is.

 

[BeatriceC]

I have another thread I just posted today celebrating a major accomplishment with my YNA. Three years it took to get him to step up on my arm. And that was working with him every single day, at his pace, to make friends with him. He's a wonderful and loving bird to his chosen human, but I am not that human, so it has been an uphill battle for me. The point is that some birds just take a long time. Those birds that bite may still be able to be convinced to step up on your arm or hand, but they just might take a lot of slow, steady work to get them there.

 

[anita1216]

I have another thread I just posted today celebrating a major accomplishment with my YNA. Three years it took to get him to step up on my arm. And that was working with him every single day, at his pace, to make friends with him. He's a wonderful and loving bird to his chosen human, but I am not that human, so it has been an uphill battle for me. The point is that some birds just take a long time. Those birds that bite may still be able to be convinced to step up on your arm or hand, but they just might take a lot of slow, steady work to get them there.

Patience sure is everything! It took my crimson bellied conure about 18 months to decide I wasnt the devil and while she isnt overly friendly, she does step up for me now. Its the small things for sure!

 

[Kentuckienne]

Ten years ago, I met a guy who was married to an Blue Front Amazon. That bird didn't like me. Would bite, wouldn't step up, would trill/growl every time he saw me ("You're still here?!!!!"). I asked for advice on parrot forums and was told forget it, he will always be a one person bird, you can't change an Amazon. But I persisted in singing to him, talking to him, giving him food treats - and it turned out I was more of a cook and scored way higher than his mate on the treat business. I watched his eyes carefully and his body language to see what he was thinking, and gave him enough space to make his own choices. He never accepted me the way he loved his mate, but he eventually accepted me as part of the flock, and we had a very good relationship even if I was second best/chopped liver when boy was around. So whatever the behavior of this new macaw, you might be surprised at how good things will get. You sound like you will treat the bird as an individual and meet him where he is, and he doesn't sound like an insane bird - maybe just a neglected one. If you decide to take him, I hope that things will work out well for you both.