Hello !

[Itsbarbie420]

So Ik macaws are naturally very noisy birds but is there any possible way to make them happier / not so screachy. I almost feel as if she’s asking for something and I’m neglecting her in some way. I don’t mind the noises but she’s a frequent screamer and that is putting her noises lightly she is 100% cage free and always has access to food and water as well as toys and fresh fruit a perch and even a window she also gets trips outside . Does she maybe want a friend? Lol I don’t know how that would go down because she’s a dominant birdie and I’m just confused plz help lol I’ve been looking for a swing that will fit her but she’s truely a bigger girl so I will more than likely end up making on. Thank you in advance. Also,, she has a tendency to try to bite me and typically only me as well as any and all other females who try to give her any attention. I’ve been researching shunning but I haven’t quiet started yet as she doesn’t really enjoy to be set anywhere besides the top of her cage and my shoulder, she will persistently perch herself on my shoulder and if I try to itch myself, by where she is or anything close adjust clothes ect, she will puffed up, and start to try to bite at my hands. She has never drew blood, but she has bruised my arm before. She is a rescue and her previous owner was a male and believe it or not any random John off the street and she will instantly rehome herself with that man I’ve already invested so much in her she’s so gorgeous and unique I couldn’t possible part ways with her but I want to give her the happiest of lives !

 

[Terry57]

What a beautiful girl she is!
I'm going to tag a member, @Cindylynn , who has a Macaw in hopes she'll be able to help you. I'm not experienced with Macaws and don't want to steer you wrong

 

[zERo]

Unfortunately, even a bird with all the entertainment in the world, screams!
It’s part of a parrots natural instinct to do so.

If she’s screaming constantly that’s not easy on the ears.
I recommend hiding her favorite foods in her toys, this will occupy most bird for a little while.

Another bird won’t solve the problem. In fact, it’ll double the screaming.
Only get another bird if you want one, not to get a companion for her.
Get another bird if you feel you can care for and have enough time for another bird in your home.

Shunning can work for some birds. If they’re screaming for attention and then you run to them to see what’s wrong, they got what they wanted.

How long have you had her? I couldn’t remember from one of your previous threads.
I also recommend target training, it can help get a bird to go somewhere you want while the bird thinks it’s their choice.
Here’s a few YouTube channels that have excellent training information:

https://m.youtube.com/@BirdNerdSophie

https://m.youtube.com/@TheParrotTeacher

 

[Cindylynn]

Don't have time for a long response today, but I'll get back later. But if she is unruly on your shoulder, it is a bad idea to let her up there. You relinquish most all control and she is Ina position to inflict serious injury to eyes, ears, nose etc. That is a position for trusted macaws only.

 

[Keet_Krazy]

plz help lol I’ve been looking for a swing that will fit her but she’s truely a bigger girl so I will more than likely end up making on.

Just thought I'd poke in and suggest here, alot of their stuff is aimed toward the big birds and I see they have some swings if I search it up

Seriously Nutz Bird Toys -Parrot Toys & Monthly Subscription

Seriously Nutz Bird Toys ~ Fun & Creative Bird Toys For Every Parrot. Custom Perches, Monthly Subscriptions. Foraging Toys!

www.seriouslynutz.com

 

[Itsbarbie420]

Don't have time for a long response today, but I'll get back later. But if she is unruly on your shoulder, it is a bad idea to let her up there. You relinquish most all control and she is Ina position to inflict serious injury to eyes, ears, nose etc. That is a position for trusted macaws only.

How do I go about making her not? I’m afraid the answer here is to no longer pick her up? I kid u not almost within the first 20 seconds of being picked up onto my hand / arm she starts working her way up my arm as if she climbing a ladder these not a whole lot of “bad peaches, no” she will start flapping her wings and keep working her way up there but once she’s there, if unbothered. She’s just fine I read a super long post by the fellow mentioned previously about bitey macaws and was working with her earlier and she is already picking up on me expressing my emotions and show the whole no thing lol but she will still go straight to the shoulder like a safe space. But I completely ignore her when she’s squawking and doing her obnoxious shows but her previous owner I’m afraid had 0 idea what to even do and didn’t try to correct and or train the poor bird at all so he more than likely aided to the screaming because she searches for me and does the whole head swooshing thing while doing it

 

[Itsbarbie420]

Unfortunately, even a bird with all the entertainment in the world, screams!
It’s part of a parrots natural instinct to do so.

If she’s screaming constantly that’s not easy on the ears.
I recommend hiding her favorite foods in her toys, this will occupy most bird for a little while.

Another bird won’t solve the problem. In fact, it’ll double the screaming.
Only get another bird if you want one, not to get a companion for her.
Get another bird if you feel you can care for and have enough time for another bird in your home.

Shunning can work for some birds. If they’re screaming for attention and then you run to them to see what’s wrong, they got what they wanted.

How long have you had her? I couldn’t remember from one of your previous threads.
I also recommend target training, it can help get a bird to go somewhere you want while the bird thinks it’s their choice.
Here’s a few YouTube channels that have excellent training information:

https://m.youtube.com/@BirdNerdSophie

https://m.youtube.com/@TheParrotTeacher

I have had her since December ! I also feared the whole another feather would be way louder together thing as well. knowing my luck they would be doing a constant “who’s the loudest” contest

 

[Cindylynn]

How do I go about making her not? I’m afraid the answer here is to no longer pick her up? I kid u not almost within the first 20 seconds of being picked up onto my hand / arm she starts working her way up my arm as if she climbing a ladder these not a whole lot of “bad peaches, no” she will start flapping her wings and keep working her way up there but once she’s there, if unbothered. She’s just fine I read a super long post by the fellow mentioned previously about bitey macaws and was working with her earlier and she is already picking up on me expressing my emotions and show the whole no thing lol but she will still go straight to the shoulder like a safe space. But I completely ignore her when she’s squawking and doing her obnoxious shows but her previous owner I’m afraid had 0 idea what to even do and didn’t try to correct and or train the poor bird at all so he more than likely aided to the screaming because she searches for me and does the whole head swooshing thing while doing it

Pancho, luckily, is much more of a talker than a screamer. He does scream when he notices that someone is about to leave the house. He sees shoes going on and purse being picked up, he SCREAMS!! The best thing that I've found that helps this is talking quietly to him. He will bring the volume down, because he wants to hear me. I would also talk to him, constantly. If someone was to watch me when I'm home alone with my critters, they would swear I'm bat sh** crazy. I tell him everything I'm doing...just constantly talk. They love the company, you are her flock. Perhaps, if she gets more conversational and realizes that talking (understandable or not, I mean volume and tone) is a much better and more well received means of communication, she may learn to pipe down some.

 

[Cindylynn]

How do I go about making her not? I’m afraid the answer here is to no longer pick her up? I kid u not almost within the first 20 seconds of being picked up onto my hand / arm she starts working her way up my arm as if she climbing a ladder these not a whole lot of “bad peaches, no” she will start flapping her wings and keep working her way up there but once she’s there, if unbothered. She’s just fine I read a super long post by the fellow mentioned previously about bitey macaws and was working with her earlier and she is already picking up on me expressing my emotions and show the whole no thing lol but she will still go straight to the shoulder like a safe space. But I completely ignore her when she’s squawking and doing her obnoxious shows but her previous owner I’m afraid had 0 idea what to even do and didn’t try to correct and or train the poor bird at all so he more than likely aided to the screaming because she searches for me and does the whole head swooshing thing while doing it

Consistency. You gotta be more stubborn than the bird. If she won't give it up, try shunning...place her in a neutral place (not her cage) for a minute and ignore her, then try again. Or drop her to the floor, if she gets too aggressive with her persistence. If she wants to be on you, she has to respect you. Also, a bird on your arm is much easier to control. Bites can be stopped or prevented by a simple shake of the arm, puts them off balance and you back in control, may try this as she tries to climb too.

 

[Cindylynn]

Just thought I'd poke in and suggest here, alot of their stuff is aimed toward the big birds and I see they have some swings if I search it up

Seriously Nutz Bird Toys -Parrot Toys & Monthly Subscription

Seriously Nutz Bird Toys ~ Fun & Creative Bird Toys For Every Parrot. Custom Perches, Monthly Subscriptions. Foraging Toys!

www.seriouslynutz.com

These toys look fabulous! Im gonna have to get Pancho some of these!! Also, Pancho loves the toys at https://busy-bird.com/ . He loves to unscrew things, and these are holding up to the beak very well. He loves the busy barrel, I put a treat in it for him and he has to unscrew it and open it up to get his treat. And he loves the busy strip...and the impossiball. Great toys that last a long time and keep them busy.

 

[Cindylynn]

One last thing, I saw you wondering what hybrid she is. It's hard to be 100% sure between Harlequin or Catalina without DNA testing or knowing what the parents were, but I've read that Catalinas tend to be more of a Yellow-Orange on the belly and Harelquins tend to be more of a Red-Orange on the belly. Pancho definately fits the bill on this, his orange is a very fiery red orange. Looks like Peaches is a lighter yellow orange from her pics, so I'd lean towards a Catalina.

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed.

First, read every thing on the Macaw sub forum stickies, especially all by birdman666 our resident macaw guy.
second, decide on a path towards your goal with her, then stick to it, like it was written in the bible. Changing tactics confuses them and you need a l-o-n-g time to break any habits a parrot has.

When our Amazon Salty goes on a screaming jag (and he can really belt it out there!) I whisper to him instead of trying to talk over him, which is impossible. That stops him in his tracks. Not saying he does not resume the screaming sometimes, but its enough of a break that 50% of the time he forgets why he was screaming and interests himself in something else, like a toy or food.

 

[Keet_Krazy]

These toys look fabulous! Im gonna have to get Pancho some of these!!

I've heard lots of good things about them I'd love to try some with my birdies one day when I can afford the exchange rate/expensive shipping.

 

[Cindylynn]

I've heard lots of good things about them I'd love to try some with my birdies one day when I can afford the exchange rate/expensive shipping.

I didn't notice that! Where do they ship from?

 

[Keet_Krazy]

I didn't notice that! Where do they ship from?

Oh, don't worry about that! They're somewhere in the US, I just live on the otherside of the world (Aus)

 

[Cindylynn]

Oh, don't worry about that! They're somewhere in the US, I just live on the otherside of the world (Aus)

Well, this is the FIRST time I've felt sorry for someone who lives in Australia! I can only dream about visiting! Is it as beautiful as pictures?

 

[KrystalLater00]

So Ik macaws are naturally very noisy birds but is there any possible way to make them happier / not so screachy. I almost feel as if she’s asking for something and I’m neglecting her in some way. I don’t mind the noises but she’s a frequent screamer and that is putting her noises lightly she is 100% cage free and always has access to food and water as well as toys and fresh fruit a perch and even a window she also gets trips outside . Does she maybe want a friend? Lol I don’t know how that would go down because she’s a dominant birdie and I’m just confused plz help lol I’ve been looking for a swing that will fit her but she’s truely a bigger girl so I will more than likely end up making on. Thank you in advance. Also,, she has a tendency to try to bite me and typically only me as well as any and all other females who try to give her any attention. I’ve been researching shunning but I haven’t quiet started yet as she doesn’t really enjoy to be set anywhere besides the top of her cage and my shoulder, she will persistently perch herself on my shoulder and if I try to itch myself, by where she is or anything close adjust clothes ect, she will puffed up, and start to try to bite at my hands. She has never drew blood, but she has bruised my arm before. She is a rescue and her previous owner was a male and believe it or not any random John off the street and she will instantly rehome herself with that man I’ve already invested so much in her she’s so gorgeous and unique I couldn’t possible part ways with her but I want to give her the happiest of lives !View attachment 50671View attachment 50672View attachment 50673

She's a beautiful bird.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I have had her since December ! I also feared the whole another feather would be way louder together thing as well. knowing my luck they would be doing a constant “who’s the loudest” contest

Some parrots seem to scream for the sheer joy of it and the bigger the bird the louder it is! I suggest a really good pair of ear plugs to muffle it. I use Hearos ez-twist because my husband snores LOUDLY directly into my left ear. They are the easiest to insert and remove and reduce loud noises by 30 decibels.

 

[Itsbarbie420]

Some parrots seem to scream for the sheer joy of it and the bigger the bird the louder it is! I suggest a really good pair of ear plugs to muffle it. I use Hearos ez-twist because my husband snores LOUDLY directly into my left ear. They are the easiest to insert and remove and reduce loud noises by 30 decibels.

At this point I’m beginning to things she’s screaming for her own sick enjoyment too because she happy as can be while doing it flapping around and jumping all over the place just being a real menace

 

[DonnaBudgie]

At this point I’m beginning to things she’s screaming for her own sick enjoyment too because she happy as can be while doing it flapping around and jumping all over the place just being a real menace

Yup. Parrots scream, some more than others! Muffling it down with earplugs will make it more tolerable, help save your sanity and protect your hearing. And, since you won't react with as much obvious distress, your winged terrorist won't get such a thrill out of watching you cringe, so maybe he will lose interest in this game.