First Scarlet Macaw

[jde2]

Finally got a Scarlet Macaw! Its aprox 3-4 years old, sex is undetermined. Its not so friendly either.
I've got 4 Blue & Gold Macaws that were quite easy to work with. I've read where Scarlets can be and are very nippy birds and can be quite aggressive towards humans.
Have anyone on here had a Scarlet like this and eventually turned it into a loving bird?

 

[FeatherBrain]

What a beauty! Time and treats is what he/she needs to warm up to you. But I'm certain that with your experience you'll do fine. Much luck to you both!

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Wow! So stunning!

 

[Seagulls]

I've had 2 birds you can consider extremely nippy, even downright aggressive, though neither were Scarlet Macaws. But I'll state my experiences with nippers, nonetheless.

Don't make the mistake of expecting too much from them. Some birds are just that way, so-called "Touch-Me-Nots". I recommend training nippy birds to step up on a stick, so they have something to bite that isn't your hand.

Building a bond with Touch-Me-Nots simply involves sitting with them, not putting too much invisible pressure on them. Trick training is also great for redirecting their energy. Just because a bird bites you, doesn't mean it hates you or even dislikes you. High-strung birds like Scarlets just get overloaded and have to take it out on something. People get bit because they're the closest thing.

Mostly, I think it just needs time. Time to settle, time to get to know you, time to unwind. And most of all, never be afraid. Even if that bird rips off your finger, do not show hesitation or fear. Because your fear, your hesitation, makes the bird feel the same way. Don't let yourself get frustrated. Playing soft, quiet music helps settle them down too. Just push all the bad things people say about Scarlets out of your head.

My experience was with 2 formerly abused/neglected birds. My 3 y.o. Blue-Fronted Amazon and a badly emotionally/physically scarred 13 y.o. Mini Macaw.

 

[jde2]

My very first Blue & Gold has always been a sweetie to me. She’s real protective of me.
My second Blue & Gold’s is very beaky. She’d let me scratch her head for a few mins without any interruption and then she’d just trip and starts to bluff at me as if she’s going to bite but never actually bites. She just hits me with her beak; I show no fear and turn my hand into a fist so she doesn’t bite me so easily. I’m still not sure if she would actually bite me or just hold my hand with her beak like what my first macaw would do I don’t intend on testing it either =P. I can get her to step up on my hand but at the same time I got to be like a snake charmer with her. Like when she standing on my hand, I use my other hand to keep her distracted from biting down on the hand she’s standing on! She got some serious mood swings.
The latest two Blue & Gold’s I got are bonded (hoping for some babies soon!). The only interaction between us is me hand feeding them and them letting me scratch their heads through the cage.

Hopefully the Scarlet softness up so we can interact a lot more. These birds are just beautiful!
My 5 Macaws below

 

[Chesphoto]

For two months now, I have had the pleasure of owning a scarlet. She was rescued from a really bad situation from a shelter that I volunteer at. She bonded with me and I'm enjoying every minute with her.

She is very beaky with me and nips a lot. But, she loves scratches and let's me pet her all over. My big problem is that she is a one person bird and has nipped my son, daughter and wife...

What is strange is that she loves to be around people. She loves it when I take her to the park, out to see the neighbors, or back to the shelter or out when the shelter has educational programs. Given the chance though, she can't help herself and tries to nip someone...

I am seeing progress with working with her. If she nips me, I turn my back on her for a minute or so, then I give her another opportunity to step up and she mostly steps up without any nip. Even my son has been able to get her to step up. I'm hoping to find more people that will work with her to step up and pet her. I really think that with more positive experiences, these scarlets can be the love bugs that they really want to be.

 

[Alwese]

I have had a Catalina, a B&G, and a Scarlet now for ten years. As we all know, macaws can have widely varying personalities. I got Doogie my Catalina when he was 4 and he has just turned 20. In the beginning he was a REAL handful, but I was not about to let him win this battle of affections and gradually I turned him into a sweet loving bird. That is not to say he loves everybody; just me. Next came Kayko my B&G who is really intellectually challenged. The plus side is Kayko is totally safe on the arms of anyone; even a two year old child. Maybe that comes with age as Kayko is now 31 years old. Lastly I bought my golden boy Clifford at 7 months old, who just turned 10 on Memorial Day. Clifford has always been pinchey on me, but it is not an attack bite, it is an overly enthusiastic greeting pinch. After a decade I have learned exactly what he will do and not do. He has always been a bit of a bully to Kayko and certainly strives to be Alpha Male with Doogie. He likewise is a one-man-bird. He loves to have his head scritched and will willingly remain on my shoulder. Now in retirement I take him everywhere. He has made so many trips inside Wal-Mart the employees know him on a first name basis. Doogie is living proof birds can be reformed. Keep up the good work. Scarlets have it in them to be a little aggressive but you can win..... Al