help socializing macaw!

[serge_09]

so work have decided to let me bring lola in daily! she has a java tree and is set up in the corner opposite my desk.

the thing is she loves me and i can do absolutely anything i want with her, shake her beak, pick her up when i want, roll her over, lift her wings etc. but when other people in the office (who are obviously intrigued by the big red amazonian bird) go up to her she leans back opens her beak and raises her head feathers. sometimes she lunges too. one bloke kept his finger there to be the first to find out the outcome of the lunges and she simply grabbed it pressure less and then let go

i wondered if anybody could give me some tips and tricks on how to stop this as it doesnt look good and id love, as much as they would, for everyone to be able to stroke her and hold her.

there are a couple of people have held there arm out and she has stepped up to, the same people shell lunge at on her tree?

thanks for any help

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'd suggest YOU remove her from the playstand first, then have a co-worker offer her some treats, followed by having the co-worker offer his arm, and you make her step up. It only has to be for a brief moment. Praise, praise...and praise some more. Make a big deal what a good, brave girl she is. Once Lola realizes that "strangers" mean her no harm, it will get easier and easier for folks to interact with her successfully.

 

[serge_09]

ive just got one of the braver, non parrot familiar lads to offer her a nut whilst she was on the tree before the reply and she took it happily, gently aswell. but then at his attempt to stroke her on the head after she jolted her head back quick looking towards his hand.

i hope she does eventually tame down because to me shes the softest, nicest thing in the world

 

[JerseyWendy]

Before allowing someone "new" to pat her, why not have her first learn that she can step up on strangers without being afraid and/or nippy.

The patting can follow down the road, once she readily accepts strangers to pick her up. Take one step at a time.

 

[Kiwibird]

Wendy has given some good suggestions.

Remember that parrots are PREY animals, so just because your bird knows and trusts you, he still interprets new people as potential predators who want to harm him. It will take time and patience on everyones part to get him used to the idea of all these people being non-threats. Just allow the bird to go at his own pace and NEVER force him to accept something he feels uncomfortable with. You should also inform all your coworkers on recognizing the signs of aggression and to NEVER touch your bird without you present. Just keep in mind, if one of them gets bit and decided to make it a serious issue, your bird could be deemed a dangerous animal and you could be liable for any medical costs.

 

[Birdman666]

There is so much too this...

1. These are pair bond birds. You can do anything with this bird because it has bonded with you...

There are at least three dynamics at play here:

1. You're not my person, back off. (Bonding issues)
2. This tree is taken. It's MINE. (Territorial issues)
3. Garden variety macaw testing. (Ha ha! Made you jump!)
4. Garden variety bluffing... (The big bad bird! Fear me!)

I have worked with mine extensively outside. Strangers can come up to her and scratch her head, but they cannot pick her up. I can pick her up and hand her to them, but they can't just come pick her up...

Not allowed by either one of us.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Wow, that's interesting Birdman. Mine will go to perfect strangers. Maybe not straight away, but after a while they'll warm up.

Also, neither of mine will attempt to bite. They may nip, but they'd rather run away than bite.

I do believe it's because mine are just so young still, what do you think, Birdman? Mine are going on 5 and going on 3 (years that is).

 

[Mattroma]

My Quinn is the same way Wendy, he will go to stranger after a minute or two. But it got me thinking, so far every time he has met someone new it has been in my house and usually involves either my wife or I passing him off. I wonder how he would be in an strange environment with strangers approaching him. If the little bugger ever let's me get a harness on him, maybe I'll find out.

 

[kendrafitz]

My GW Rosie will not let anyone but my daughter and I touch her head. She is constantly molting, so I have always attributed it to that.

When we introduce Rosie to someone who is interested in her, we make a big deal. I tell her how nice and good the person is, lots if Ooohs and Ahhhs. Sometimes we both kiss the persons head together. Sounds silly, but it helps. However, she WILL NOT go to anyone unless she wants a ride to me.

Maybe just lots if praise and hold off on touching unless she initiates it?

 

[Birdman666]

Wow, that's interesting Birdman. Mine will go to perfect strangers. Maybe not straight away, but after a while they'll warm up.

Also, neither of mine will attempt to bite. They may nip, but they'd rather run away than bite.

I do believe it's because mine are just so young still, what do you think, Birdman? Mine are going on 5 and going on 3 (years that is).

MY Redfront is, I forget, 12-ish?! Maggie is 16.

I started with this stuff early on, from day 1 with Sweepea, and about a week after I got her with Maggie. Taking them out and about, making them step up for strangers, and holding their beak with two fingers so a stranger can scratch their head.

Laundry day has done wonders for Maggie with absolute strangers. My old laundrymat in California used to allow me to bring the birds in. The one I go to in Texas is very strict about it. OUTSIDE ONLY. So, I bring her big playstand, and she sits outside for two hours. Strangers come walking up to her, and scratch her head, and she talks with them, and gets to be the center of attention... NOT THAT MACAWS ACTUALLY LIKE BEING THE CENTER OF ATTENTION OR ANYTHING...

Over time, it's just gotten to the point where she accepts it.

Mind you strangers CAN NOT walk up to her and step her up. They can scrach her head, but she will not go to them. I can pick her up and hand her to them, but not the other way around. This, of course, is by design, to keep anyone who is tempted from trying to just walk off with her. NOT gonna happen.

Someone actually tried that once with Sweepea... and got a deep puncture wound on the trapezious muscle (i.e. the neck) for their theft attempt. (She immediately flew back to me!) Yeah... that's my bird!

 

[serge_09]

lola is stepping up off of me onto (ill class them as strangers in this but my co workers) strangers but has been keeping her eye on me at all times whilst on there arm. for the first time today craig, one of the more interested and persistent strangers, got her to step from me to him and when on him she was having a little look around, not so focused on where i was or what i was doing. he also got a little head scratch in aswell

ive got nuts and fruit on my desk and im getting different people each time to just give her a little treat which she happily takes nice and gently.

im going to give the 2 fingers on the beak trick birdman suggested a go after a few more days of treats and stepping up.

little steps all the way, just like to know im taking them down the right track lol

thank you all for your help

 

[Laurasea]

This is an old thread I am bumping it so our New Macaw owner can read

 

[BirdieDad]

Thank you Laurasea. This was great stuff.