First time and a rescue. Got Q's

[Mthood91]

Hey,

I just recently adopted a soul mate thats a red fronted macaw. I love this guy so much and it seems mutual, except for one thing I have yet to understand that has gotten me bit. First off i'll say, he came from oregon humane society rescue where they got 245 birds! Biggest rescue they have ever had, 10,000's$ worth of birds, it was incredible in many ways...They tell me he's never gonna be the bird that a hand tamed baby would be. I have no experience, I went there to get a conure or something. This whole trip lead me to this guy. He is perfect, jus grabs my hand to pet him everywhere, goes upside on my chest, does every affectionate thing and is just awesome all around. Its only been 3 days i've had him, so i'm stoked. I'm just having trouble getting him out and off the cage, he bites and he does not want to step up now that he's settling in. I know settling takes time, but also his affection outside of this one behavior has me curious if I can change it up. The first couple times were cool but it was a totally new area so he probably just went with it. I'm making sure not to make any gesture that it hurts him bonding, and no backlash towards him, calm n cool when he bites. He came out this early morning fine, we took a shower which was great. Put him back for like 5 minutes on cage so I can get ready then tried to get him to step up and like the night before he was not having me get him off. He comes out all day just being the sweetest baby possible, he just is once he's off n out that cage. I attempted a few more times lightly, I was a bit nervous so this all could just be him reading me and being afraid himself, I get that. I ended putting a oven pad under my sweatshirt so I didn't have to feel the pain again and ended up getting him on my arm after a couple tries. I can grab n kiss his beak, sing to him and he bobs(joy bob, he definitely bobs at me not joyful after my attempts of picking up from the cage), everything u can think of. Its only been a few days so I can assume whats going thru his head, but I'm a newb so if you got any tips for this i'm all ears! Again, he's been out three days in a row, so thats the scenario. thanks

 

[MacawBeaks]

Hi, and congratulations on your new macaw! It sounds like he's an absolute love. About the cage problem, try giving him nuts while your fingers are through the bars frequently: Letting him know that its okay that your in his space making it a positive experience. After awhile try giving them to him while the door is open but do not allow him out of the cage to get it. That might cause problems as to not getting him back in the cage. Try to have him step up while luring him with the nut and give it to him when he fully steps up. Do this gradually as you don't want to chance having a bite while your trying to do something positive. Continue this until you can take him out of his cage without protest. Good luck

 

[Mthood91]

Yeah, been trying that, doesn't work with him too well. Doing it exactly how u put it, except put my fingers in the cage as he'll just go right for them. Through the cage, out the cage, trying to get him to step up with him, and they're pistachios which he's 'nuts' for not in this state. So I think I need a different tactic with this guy as he just grabs the nut and throws it haha. I did try a banana, change it up. He took a couple bites enjoyed it. Tried to lure to step up with it..im pretty nervous while I do all this...so. and yeah he took a couple bites then jus started hacking at it. so, I can keep on with that, and maybe theres something else for the non food motivated? He always wants the love, over the food, so you think the guy would just step up. But I see what you're saying, that helps, thank you

Oh and he steps up amazingly off my shoulder, any where, with hand, whatever. He doesn't want to go back in cage tho of course...

 

[MacawBeaks]

Yeah, you may have to experiment with which food he goes nuts for. Sometimes its toys too. The reason may be because you are nervous. I suggest you read 'understanding macaw beaks' its highlighted in blue and reread it as much as you can. That will help with the nervousness.

 

[MacawBeaks]

Oh also, if he loves the loves, try scratching his favorite spot after a meal so hes mellow and since he will want more love he may step up. Reward him the best you can. And remember if he bites you over your comfort zone then give a firm 'NO'. I also suggest doing bite pressure training. Kelp doing research, you can never know too much. If he has problems going BACK into the cage, only feed him when he's in the cage. He'll go back in for his food or treats etc...

 

[Mthood91]

ooo good stuff. thank you. I really like what you said about feeding only in the cage..though I have him out like all day since i work from home, but I could jus put him up when its been a minute so he can eat n drink..been keeping food n water n treats next to me so he jus hops down from my shoulder to his food ha. He's so freakn cute..can't get over it.

 

[Mthood91]

Oh and dude does not care about toys at all. wood toys n stuff? doesn't care! ha. They said that he hasn't really touched his toys and he really hasn't done anything but want to hangout with me ha. So yeah i'll have to find some food and check out what you recommended..i also opened up a lot of youtube vids so..see what happens. you don't think having him step up on my arm with a sweatshirt is a bad thing right? Got the pad snuck under there too so he can't do anything

 

[Mthood91]

Where do I find this understanding macaw beaks?

 

[Mthood91]

never mind!

 

[MacawBeaks]

Oh and dude does not care about toys at all. wood toys n stuff? doesn't care! ha. They said that he hasn't really touched his toys and he really hasn't done anything but want to hangout with me ha. So yeah i'll have to find some food and check out what you recommended..i also opened up a lot of youtube vids so..see what happens. you don't think having him step up on my arm with a sweatshirt is a bad thing right? Got the pad snuck under there too so he can't do anything

If he doesn't play with the toys you need to teach him. Just act interested in some and jingle them around and you could find articles online to instruct you. Chewing is important for a big beak like that. Sweatshirt is fine. Just make sure the fabric isn't toxic and that he can't get his nails stuck

 

[Kiwibird]

How exciting and wonderful to hear OHS is now adopting the birds from that case out! I had been wondering about them. We weren't in a position to adopt a second bird, but I sent a boatload of toys and perches when they first got them. That hoarder was caught not too far from us and it just broke my heart to hear the story and know that was going on in my community Very glad they are making their ways to good homes now And given the time of year, what a wonderful gift for you both to have found each other! I adopted my bird around the holidays and no material object will ever match the gift of making the decision to open my home to a bird in need. Does your new friend have a name?

3 days is honestly not very long for a bird to adjust to a new home. Especially not a rescue bird who has been through a lot. The biggest 2 things to remember about a rescue bird is to have patience and persistence. You will need lots of both! All parrots are individuals, all rescue birds have experienced different things and the process of socialization and training will vary for each bird. Sounds like your off to a great start if he is already pretty friendly outside the cage area! Not everyone had that experience with their bird when new:54:

Specifically related to your description of the biting, it sounds like classic cage aggression. Birds can become quite territorial about their cages or play stands. I think you may already have, but if not, I suggest you read this thread http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html In the spirit of bonding, you can sit by your birds cage and read it out loud to him. Parrots enjoy being read to, they may not know what your saying, but reading in a soft, soothing tone of voice seems to help aid in the bonding process with a new bird. It's a tried and true method in the avian community. Do it every day. I still read out loud sometimes to my bird 8 years in because he enjoys it Since he bites when you stick your finger in the cage, you can alternatively offer a treat like a grape or berry off a fork or skewer through the bars while reading to him to reinforces that you are there to be his friend, not to move in on his territory or bring him harm. In time (whether that be days, weeks or months will be up to him) you will eventually be able to pass the food to him through the bars with your fingers and can go from there to work out any residual aggression related to the cage.

It's a bit early, but this is around the time of year sexually mature parrots start experiencing their annual hormonal issues, which could further compound a cage aggressive birds protectiveness of their turf. You did not mention the estimated age of your new friend, but larger macaws hit sexual maturity around age 6-8 I believe, so if he is older than that, he will experience some hormonal behavior every year in late winter/early spring. How bad that will be varies by individual, some showing little change at all, some showing very pronounced (temporary strictly hormone related) behavioral changes. In males, that can present as aggression. Prepare yourself and be aware/informed! Many new parrot owners are totally blindsided and confused by hormonal behaviors. Tons of threads on here about dealing with hormonal behaviors (more reading out loud material for you and your new bird!).

One last note, about the lack of interest in toys- this is very common in rescues who've never done anything but sit on a perch all day staring into space. As you bond with your bird, he will start looking to you for cues on behaviors, so play with the toys yourself and act super excited about it until he becomes interested. Parrots can't resist seeing someone else having fun and they aren't. Parrots can't resist someone having something they don't. Use these things to your advantage when introducing the concept of "playing". Oh, and one last thing, we like pictures on this forum! Please share some of your new bird

 

[wrench13]

Others understand macaws much much better then I do ( i am an Amazon snob, lol). But try and take things slowly and give each change you make a good chance to be learned by your Macaw before you change again. Nothing confuses any parrot, macaw, Amazon, or budgie,more then a moving target as far as what the human wants of them. Example: Bird bites when hand is put into cage, so owner tries a perch to get the bird out but that doesn't work so the human tries using a glove, but that doesn't work so the human tries using a towel wrapped hand, but that doesn't work. All this in the space of a week. Not saying that you are doing this. But give the bird a chance to learn before you change things. GOod luck and thanks for rescuing this guy

 

[JBassset]

I'm not familiar with the case he comes from but it sounds like a LOT of birds in one place. I bet "space" was at a premium in that home and he learned to defend it.

Just give him some time. If he doesn't want to come off the perch right now, fine. He can chill there for a few minutes. Be nice and loving but leave him be. When Romeo gets like that I just leave the room for a few minutes. When I go back he frequently comes to the front of the cage and holds out a leg like he's saying "OH, ok, I don't really wanna be alone right now."

Other times when I go back he retreats a step or two. He's not ready. Hasn't had his coffee I guess. So I leave him be. He'll call to me if he's ready and I'm not there. And if I'm still not there he'll CALL TO ME.

Also, when you say "bite" do you mean he just lunges or is he trying to take a chunk of flesh or somewhere in between?

Someone else posted on here that the best thing that ever happened between her and her bird was a bite. Because it proved to her that while the bite hurts it's not crippling or life threatening. Of course that was a smaller bird but I'm finding that, with Romeo at least, that the first bite is not a hard bite. Most animals are like that: they escalate up to get you to back off. They set themselves on "stun" first.

It's important to not show your nervousness. With my first bird I was stiff and afraid of getting bitten. After a week or two I relaxed and things got much better. The birds can tell that you're worked up which makes them worked up.

But the BIGGEST hint these fine and lovely people here gave me: learn to read your bird. Learn that when he's holding his head one way he doesn't want to be touched. Whatever it is... his posture, his feathers, or even his words can tell you what you need to know. You just have to pay attention. The day I realized that was the day that my Conure stopped biting me. Takes time and both of you gotta learn but it's worth doing!

Good on you for the rescue. Sounds like you got yourself a LOVER. Just be patient, lots of love and give him time. The bird you have now will just continue to grow and blossom.

 

[Kentuckienne]

I read a post recently about someone whose parrot wouldn't come out of the cage in the morning. I think it turned out that the bird wanted to take his huge morning poop before coming out. Also, some birds want to come right out as soon as the door is opened, some want to be given a lift. Maybe yours needs a little time to wake up and remember that he's not in his past world, he's here with you.

 

[Mthood91]

Well he must be doing something else than toys because his beak was about perfect and this is coming from the **** storm rescue so, thats good.

 

[Mthood91]

lots of good stuff, thanks yall. cool to see all the local people around me, go northwest! heh. Yeah he had zero problems getting out this morning and into a good shower. he steps up great, he's just awesome. So grateful for this guy!

 

[Mthood91]

Yeah I have had 3 conures, still have one so I understand that being nervous plays everything into it. Its all new to both of us so its all good. Just getting my questions out there and am receiving great feedback. That bit about macaw beaks totally helped calm me calm haha and really helped the mutual nervousness of that initial step up from cage.

 

[Mthood91]

Thats cool you brought toys, I was able to grab some stuff from them so maybe I got your stuff. I got such a good deal out of all this, truly the best.

 

[JBassset]

Yeah I have had 3 conures, still have one so I understand that being nervous plays everything into it. Its all new to both of us so its all good. Just getting my questions out there and am receiving great feedback. That bit about macaw beaks totally helped calm me calm haha and really helped the mutual nervousness of that initial step up from cage.

Yeah, it helped me too. That beak is intimidating and scary! THen you realize that it's only a problem when you ignore everything else he's telling you and force him to use it.

Ask all the questions you've got. I'm asking a lot too.

Where in Oregon are you? I'm in Boise Idaho. Romeo came from a home in Vale.

Or... I guess maybe your user name tells me you're in the Mount Hood area. DERRRR

 

[Mthood91]

jus updated my profile..vancouver, wa. Im trying to post pics for profile pic and what not, but dont see that..