Help needed for a hyacinth rescue; Cleveland, Ohio area

[Magalex122703]

Hello all,
I live in Alaska and have a very dear friend here who has bought a hyacinth macaw from a very sad situation. The bird currently lives in Indiana and due to current freezing temperatures the bird can not be shipped up here anytime soon. I will be traveling to my home town in Feb, close to Cleveland, Ohio, roughly 3 hours from this bird. For my friend, I will be going to pick up this bird and will be bringing her back to Ohio with me until I leave back for Alaska after 2 weeks. This is where I ask for help. I do not have a cage to put this huge baby in for 2 weeks. I am hopefully looking to borrow an appropriate sized cage, if it's a little on the smaller side that's ok, as it is temporary. I am willing to give someone cash for collateral until the cage is returned. It will be cleaned and sanitized properly upon return. I don't want to have to buy a large cage for that short of time, as y'all know, they aren't cheap! I have tried ohio rescues, but have had no success getting any word back from them! Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated! Help me help this poor baby. She is currently shoved in a corner, in a back room, PADLOCKED in her cage.

 

[miloslave]

Hi there.

Unfortunately I live very far away, but just wondering if you can not get her cage with her?

It looks horrible, shoved in a corner next to a cabinet, you can see there is no attention given to that bird. I hope they at least feed her daily.

I really hope there is someone there that can help, maybe get her out of there even sooner until you get there in February?

 

[Magalex122703]

Well I guess the gentleman has an african grey that he wants to keep the age for :/ I don't think there is any ill intent, maybe more so a lack of confidence and knowledge? If I am not mistaken the guy inherited this baby from a family member, not know how to properly take care of her with us being so far away in alaska there is no one we know/trust to get her. I have family there but they have no idea how to handle such a bird. And I don't know her emotional state, like if she'll be open to new people or fear aggressive poor girl.

 

[MikeyTN]

She can come live with me as I would go pick her up in a heart beat. They require certain food items to keep them healthy, are you able to provide those for her in Alaska??? I know I will be able to here in TN. Plus I'm not super far away from Indiana.

 

[miloslave]

I know I probably should not, but I think I am going to anyway....

It does not take a genius to know not to stuff a bird into a corner in a back room, completely cut off from everything. Even if he can not handle her and maybe even not let her out of the cage, surely he can put her somewhere she can experience some interaction, while looking for a more suitable home? Provide her with some toys besides the one drabby looking toy we see in the photo? Talk to her perhaps?

Another concern, if you look at how this cage is positioned, how do they feed and provide the poor baby with food and fresh water?

If this is how one bird is treated, I have serious doubts that the other one will be treated much better in the end.

Sorry, but I really find it unacceptable. I think it is of utmost importance that you get that bird out of there ASAP, please.

Please let us know?

 

[Dopey]

She can come live with me as I would go pick her up in a heart beat. They require certain food items to keep them healthy, are you able to provide those for her in Alaska??? I know I will be able to here in TN. Plus I'm not super far away from Indiana.

Way to go. I hope you get her.

 

[Bartleby]

So, I'm a little bit confused about the details. To recap your friend in Indiana has already purchased this bird from a poor situation. Yes? She doesn't have possession yet because she needs a cage. You'll be coming down from AK in Feb for a family visit and the idea is that you'll take the brid back home with you. You're looking for a cage that your friend can borrow until Feb to house the bird. Is that what is going on?

My suggestion, have your friend scour her local CL ads for a used cage in decent shape. I see macaw sized cages from $150-200 regularly enough that she she should be able to get one within a reasonable driving distance. The cage will not be big enough for a permanent Hy cage, but a couple months for a depleted and probably ill Hy it may work. Especially if your friend will be getting her out regularly to work with her. When you take the bird donate the cage to a local rescue, they can ALWAYS use cages. Or turn around and sell it on CL.

As far as shipping, you say the bird can't be shipped because it is too cold, but then you're planning to bring her back in Feb which is even colder. Are you planning on driving home? Even though you're traveling too the bird will still have to be shipped. Hys cannot meet the carry-on requirments and so must go under the plane. Even in temperature controlled pressurized cargo there are transit times where they would be exposed to the elements.

 

[Kiwibird]

She can come live with me as I would go pick her up in a heart beat. They require certain food items to keep them healthy, are you able to provide those for her in Alaska??? I know I will be able to here in TN. Plus I'm not super far away from Indiana.

Good point! Is ample variety of fresh produce and brazil nuts available year round in Alaska? A special variety of nuts in particular are an essential and large part of a Hy's diet. Once of the only parrots in fact that has this specific of a dietary need. I'm assuming you're well researched and able to provide these items, but just in case you were unaware, it's better to be sure someone knows what they're getting into

And if you plan to drive her up, I'd wait until spring. Seriously, it just takes one night getting stuck somewhere in your car overnight due to weather for the bird to die. They are extremely sensitive to cold, and I wouldn't risk transporting a bird to a place like Alaska until weather was warmer.

 

[Birdman666]

Macaws generally get padlocked in because they can open their cage doors... both of mine can.

I hate to break this to you, but you don't just need a cage... you need a stainless steel cage for this big guy. Normal cages don't hold up to Hyacinth beaks. They just pop cage welds, and bend the bars...

Which makes you feel pretty silly for putting on the padlock, eh?!

Well, at least the door's still shut. No cage bars on it. But it's still shut...

Yeah! Brilliant...

I have a hyacinth sized greenwing, and she decided she didn't want to get locked in anymore, so she removed the latches from her cage...

OH YES THEY CAN!

 

[Birdman666]

She can come live with me as I would go pick her up in a heart beat. They require certain food items to keep them healthy, are you able to provide those for her in Alaska??? I know I will be able to here in TN. Plus I'm not super far away from Indiana.

He's right. These birds are specialized feeders, primarily palm nuts and macacamia nuts. I'm guessing those don't grow on trees in Alaska... pardon the pun.

 

[Birdman666]

My suggestion, have your friend scour her local CL ads for a used cage in decent shape. I see macaw sized cages from $150-200 regularly enough that she she should be able to get one within a reasonable driving distance.

An ordinary macaw cage most certainly will not hold a Hy Hy who doesn't want to be in it... Don't believe me? Watch this!

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/42196-macaw-puzzle-toys.html

That, by the way, is a King's cage designed for large macaws, with extra thick bars, and it's STILL just a play toy for big blue there... That bird bends those bars effortlessly. Now, I have one of these cages and I can't even flex the bars of that cage...

A well behaved Hy, yeah, he'll stay put. But an escape artist who doesn't feel like being caged? Ummm... not so much. And if he's prone to going on "search and destroy" missions - well - I wouldn't read too much into the lock being on the cage. I am reading between the lines here, but I am guessing there is a lock on the cage for a reason, and it is NOT related to fear of bird thieves... though that is also a possibility. People see these birds and see dollar signs. Then again, if he doesn't know you, and doesn't feel like going with you... a bird thief could leave a "trail of DNA" trying to steal one! (We can only hope!)

Most macaws are very mechanical. Blink and he's out.

Hyacinth bite pressure is no joke.

 

[Birdman666]

I have family there but they have no idea how to handle such a bird. And I don't know her emotional state, like if she'll be open to new people or fear aggressive poor girl.

Hys are fairly easy to handle, as long as you are confident around them. They are super confident birds because they are quite well aware of their ability to defend themselves against us puny humans, should the need arise...

They are playahaulics. Play with a Hy Hy, and you have the bird's undivided attention. Pretty true with all big macs, but especially Hys...

I don't recall ever being around a "fear aggresive" Hy.

In fact, the only aggressive hy I ever had to deal with was one who lost his mate, and was pissed off at the world... (She died. Humans took her away, and she never came back = humans took my mate from me! Kill them all!)

THAT bird was once as sweet as could be. After his mate died? Watch your face!!!

I've probably handled about 16-ish of these guys. Only time one was ever aggressive with me. Seriously. Their disposition is that good...

But then, most folks aren't stupid enough to piss one off, so that obviously helps!

Open the door. Hold your arm up. Hold a walnut in your other hand. You just made a new friend! Wanna play a game? You just made a new friend - for life! Seriously...

 

[Kiwibird]

I have family there but they have no idea how to handle such a bird. And I don't know her emotional state, like if she'll be open to new people or fear aggressive poor girl.

Hys are fairly easy to handle, as long as you are confident around them. They are super confident birds because they are quite well aware of their ability to defend themselves against us puny humans, should the need arise...

They are playahaulics. Play with a Hy Hy, and you have the bird's undivided attention. Pretty true with all big macs, but especially Hys...

I don't recall ever being around a "fear aggresive" Hy.

In fact, the only aggressive hy I ever had to deal with was one who lost his mate, and was pissed off at the world... (She died. Humans took her away, and she never came back = humans took my mate from me! Kill them all!)

THAT bird was once as sweet as could be. After his mate died? Watch your face!!!

I've probably handled about 16-ish of these guys. Only time one was ever aggressive with me. Seriously. Their disposition is that good...

But then, most folks aren't stupid enough to piss one off, so that obviously helps!

Open the door. Hold your arm up. Hold a walnut in your other hand. You just made a new friend! Wanna play a game? You just made a new friend - for life! Seriously...

I've only handled one once. They are friendly and BIG, like holding a big blue eagle on your arm big There was a man who had his hy with him all the time out at this flea market. I saw him all the time, but only held the bird once. He let me give him (The bird) a piece of popcorn one day and instead of taking the popcorn, the bird insisted upon climbing up on my arm instead I decided it best to let him sit on my arm and eat his piece of popcorn before he went back to his daddy BIG beak! That man had his bird for 25 years at that point (and I'm sure still has him), and always said he was great bird. Macaws are a little outside my personal size comfort zone in general though so I've only held just that one.

 

[Magalex122703]

To all that responded; I am aware of the dietary needs. I live in alaska, and the person who has bought her also lives in alaska. I will be picking her up from the original owner in Indiana and bringing her to ohio with me (only while I am visiting; temporary) and when I return to alaska I will fly this baby back with me and give her to the new owner. I am looking for a temporary cage to borrow while she is in Ohio with me.
I am a knowledgable parrot owner and caretaker, and so is her new owner.

 

[MikeyTN]

It's not that we doubt your ability to care for parrots, I guess you didn't understand what I posted to begin with. Being in Alaska I know there isn't much stores available in your area nor is much stuffs offered within the stores. Nor do you (and friend) have much ability to order products as needed, I know you can get stuffs but because of unforeseen circumstances due to your heavy snow falls, stuffs can get delayed. They're NOT seeds and pellet eaters, they have to have specific diet. That's the point we're trying to make. Same thing with the ability to get stainless steel cages up that way. If I order something down this way, I know I'll get it within 7 day period.

Also be aware of the weather condition to fly with a bird, I didn't think they'll allow shipping of parrots at certain temperature. Please be aware of that and check with your airline carrier. They also do require a specific crate to ship them in as well, that can get spendy.

 

[Magalex122703]

Thankyou for the input everyone

 

[Bartleby]

It's not that we doubt your ability to care for parrots, I guess you didn't understand what I posted to begin with. Being in Alaska I know there isn't much stores available in your area nor is much stuffs offered within the stores. Nor do you (and friend) have much ability to order products as needed, I know you can get stuffs but because of unforeseen circumstances due to your heavy snow falls, stuffs can get delayed. They're NOT seeds and pellet eaters, they have to have specific diet. That's the point we're trying to make. Same thing with the ability to get stainless steel cages up that way. If I order something down this way, I know I'll get it within 7 day period.

This is really for everyone who keeps commenting as if Alaska is some backwoods boondocks state where people live miles from civilization and have to hunt to catch their food. The OP could very well live in one of the larger cities or even the smaller cities, she doesn't necessairly live above the arctic circle. Alaska is a huge state with a pretty wide variety of climate and living arrangements.

There is NOTHING that a person cannot get in Alaska that those of us in the lower 48 can. Shipping will undoubtedly cost more, but macadamia nuts and Palm nuts can be just as easily ordered there as here. And since Mac nuts are grown in Hawaii it's not as if any of us can claim they are grown "in our backyard" anyway. Fresh produce is available year round in most of the bigger super markets and many, many homes in the lower 1/3 have their own green houses that produce nearly year around for them.

As far as popping welds, the bird is already in a normal Macaw cage, has been housed there for a while, so why would it suddenly start popping welds? Is it capable of it? Yes. But so is any large GW or Hy but not all do so. In fact, many, many MANY don't. I've seen enough successfully housed in large macaw cages with zero interest in weld popping. I've also seen those that do, but generally they've always done it not started after years of no interest.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Contact a Local vet or rescue see if they have a cage you can use / borrow.

 

[MikeyTN]

It's not that we doubt your ability to care for parrots, I guess you didn't understand what I posted to begin with. Being in Alaska I know there isn't much stores available in your area nor is much stuffs offered within the stores. Nor do you (and friend) have much ability to order products as needed, I know you can get stuffs but because of unforeseen circumstances due to your heavy snow falls, stuffs can get delayed. They're NOT seeds and pellet eaters, they have to have specific diet. That's the point we're trying to make. Same thing with the ability to get stainless steel cages up that way. If I order something down this way, I know I'll get it within 7 day period.

This is really for everyone who keeps commenting as if Alaska is some backwoods boondocks state where people live miles from civilization and have to hunt to catch their food. The OP could very well live in one of the larger cities or even the smaller cities, she doesn't necessairly live above the arctic circle. Alaska is a huge state with a pretty wide variety of climate and living arrangements.

There is NOTHING that a person cannot get in Alaska that those of us in the lower 48 can. Shipping will undoubtedly cost more, but macadamia nuts and Palm nuts can be just as easily ordered there as here. And since Mac nuts are grown in Hawaii it's not as if any of us can claim they are grown "in our backyard" anyway. Fresh produce is available year round in most of the bigger super markets and many, many homes in the lower 1/3 have their own green houses that produce nearly year around for them.

As far as popping welds, the bird is already in a normal Macaw cage, has been housed there for a while, so why would it suddenly start popping welds? Is it capable of it? Yes. But so is any large GW or Hy but not all do so. In fact, many, many MANY don't. I've seen enough successfully housed in large macaw cages with zero interest in weld popping. I've also seen those that do, but generally they've always done it not started after years of no interest.

Your first sentence, that's why I said "I know you can get stuffs, but it can get delayed". And pretty much answers your second sentence.

Popping of welds can just happen without ever doing it! In this past year Willie the B&G decided to pop the welds on his cage and started bending the bars. We've had him for over 10 years. Lola the B&G didn't used to eat walnut cause she couldn't crack it is eating them just fine now. They're like a small child that's constantly learning, they'll figure things out. I have to padlock Willie's cage cause he pop the cage open in 2 sec. We got this cage thinking it's harder for him to open as it have two latches, he learned over time on how to set them just right to pop the door open. His previous cage was just held together because of the top cause he removed all the bolts off of it.

 

[Birdman666]

I've only handled one once. They are friendly and BIG, like holding a big blue eagle on your arm big There was a man who had his hy with him all the time out at this flea market. I saw him all the time, but only held the bird once. He let me give him (The bird) a piece of popcorn one day and instead of taking the popcorn, the bird insisted upon climbing up on my arm instead I decided it best to let him sit on my arm and eat his piece of popcorn before he went back to his daddy BIG beak! That man had his bird for 25 years at that point (and I'm sure still has him), and always said he was great bird. Macaws are a little outside my personal size comfort zone in general though so I've only held just that one.

Yeah. My first encounter with one of these guys was memorable...

My friend's bird was out on his playstand, and was just hanging there by his beak... (Dummy here did not understand that this was macaw for "pick me up at the time!") So I was watching him swinging by his beak, and just standing there laughing at his antics. And his momentum got high enough to grab my shirt... and before I even realized what was happening... he had let go with his feet and was standing on my chest...

Nose to beak with a hy-hy that didn't know me, and I was not in a position to control him! (Gulp!)

So the bird says "hello!" and proceeds to put his head upside down on my forehead (i.e. fore head to forehead) and raise his head feathers. "Headscratch?!" He said. That was not a request. It was more like something I was commanded to do... (fortunately I am easily trained!)

I played with that bird for the next 2.5 hours. He showed me every game he knew... and when I went to put him down, he latched on with both feet and his beak, and refused to budge. (Apparently I was a favorite new toy... he didn't want his toy taken away from him.)

We finally bribed him off my arm with food...

Played with that bird every day for ten years after that... and several of his offspring as well.