Getting a skittish Macaw back in the cage

[Codil7]

So as some of the other parts of the forum community know, I currently own an Eclectus named Ekko. Sweetest bird in the world and has been a dream to work with and train. After months of owning him I was asked to rescue a 4 year old Macaw named Ariel. I decided to pull the trigger a few days ago and the experience so far has been incredible minus a few minor issues. Which is why I’m here...

Ariel has a great personality, plays with her toys, and loves to talk. I have expected her to be nervous since moving into a new home and to a degree that has shown. She hasn’t taken to my hands or arms yet unless I’m giving treats. She doesn’t squawk or flap her wings but she runs away on the top of her cage acting like her usual funny self. No shaking or anything like that showing extreme fear.

Usually this isn’t an issue but when it comes to getting her back in her cage it’s become a nightmare. Her cage is MASSIVE and my ability to reach her on the top of her cage is impossible without a step stool or chair. And lucky for me that’s where she spends 99% of her time. Most of the time I have to wait around for hours and hope she goes back in her cage. Last night I waited til 3am before she finally returned. How should I handle this? I’d hate to never let her out of her cage until she’s tamed down but I can’t risk her not going back in if I have to leave and can’t watch her. What would you do?

 

[Laurasea]

One idea is to stick a perch on the outside a bit lower, with a treat fish next to it. She might choose to hang out there, and you can reward with treats for her to come within reach. She is beautiful!!! I hope itheres will have better ideas ..

 

[ChristaNL]

Bribes, bribes, bribes.


Sunny used to hack at my hand/arm when she even suspected she had to go back in -- but just like the greys her belly rules her judgement...
and she loooves her treats!


So she may not like the "go in the cage" but she likes the "oh, a walnut" even better

 

[LordTriggs]

ditto on the bribes, no faster way to have a parrot do what you like than offering bribes

also another thing I suggest would be to unbolt one of the perches (or use a spare if you have one to save hassle) and see if she will step up onto that? I found that a good way of transporting my Green Cheek when I first got him and he was adverse to hands

 

[Codil7]

I appreciate the advice guys! Unfortunately she’s terrified of perches. Almost like her previous owner beat her with one. We are working on becoming more at ease with them. As far as treats go she loves them but when I use them to lure her, her fear/intelligence kicks in and chooses to back away. I think a lot of that has to do with me being new and the trust bond has not been formed yet. We are getting better with each passing day, it’ll just take time.

 

[noodles123]

Have you tried shutting off the lights and ignoring her (periodically saying, "bedtime" or some other phrase?)
My cockatoo puts herself in the cage when it is quite dark (not pitch black, but just enough for her to see my silhouette) and quiet in the room--I learned this trick "back in the day" when I couldn't handle her easily (she was adopted as an adult, so she was nervous). Now she lets me do whatever, but she still will put herself to bed, whether or not it is dark (I just cover the cage and her internal clock does the rest!)


You might also consider placing more incentives/treats within her cage throughout the day, while leaving the door open. The last thing you want is for her to think that she will be locked up every time she goes inside of her cage...


My other thought is to get a play perch or something and make sure that you move her back and forth between it and her cage during NON-bed times (so she doesn't think perch=bedtime). Then, when it is bedtime, try to take he from the perch to her cage (while blocking her beak so that she can't reach the bars above her as you place her inside on the perch).