Help!!!

[TexDot33]

I am also going to post a post from another board - this member has 2 macaws and has helped in rescues for like 10 years ... this guy knows his stuff when it comes to bit birds (macs and 'zons) ... this is your basic bite pressure training how to AND WHY!

Step one, teach them to communicate with something other than their beaks. Give them outlets for their "wants" so they don't get used to using their beaks to make a point... [cuz by that point I am getting both mad and frustrated, and am liable to use too much force and injure you.]

Step two, beak play. With macaws beak play is essential both psychologically and otherwise. It is a bonding thing. During beak play, you must:

(1) play gently and not "latch on" yourself. If you grab and hold, your bird will grab and hold.

(2) Constantly reinforce to your bird when he is applying too much pressure, and have your other hand at the ready to "pry" the beak off if necessary, and preferably to anticipate the clamp down, and deflect the beak away from flesh.

Gentle cues: that's too hard, not so hard, that hurts, take it easy... and again, don't get them so excited that they loose control. When they get too hard, you stop, and back off. Too keep playing this game, they have to be gentle.

When he is being beaky, don't give him anything to hit and latch onto. The back of a hand on a closed fist, with your thumb safely inside your fingers. If he is up high and lunging, lower your head, and give him the top of your head. Okay, he may pull hair, but he won't rip your nose off...

Thumbs, forearms, cheeks & lips (occasionally noses), ears, and especially the back of your neck (trapezious area) are favorite targets of opportunity... DON'T GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY!

Back off, step him up, with a stick if necessary, and reinforce discipline with a little laddering...

All macaws, like all amazons, should be stick trained as well as arm trained.

Large macaws should be primarily arm candy, not shoulder birds. Forearm train them. These limits have to be set and reinforced or your bird will begin going down the path of "training you." He will run up your shoulder and begin latching on with his beak when you go to get him down.

This is cured by putting the bird on the floor, and making him sit there a moment, ignored... to think about what he just did. NOW STEP UP NICE AND GO TO YOUR SPOT!

Being a stable perch also discourages beakiness. A lot of times they aren't biting. They are trying to hold on.

Go at the macaw's pace. If you try to rush it, they will be less inclined to trust you. Macaws test the perch...

Well, macaws pretty much test everything. Negative reactions result in an increased bite pressure. Let them bob on your hand and test the perch, and be goofy to their hearts content. If you pull away, they will increase pressure. Don't react. Don't make a fuss. Push the beak away.

Are you beginning to understand that half of the bite pressure training is training the bird, and the other half of the bite pressure training is about how you handle the bird so that he doesn't apply pressure? THAT, and an absence of fear, is the secret... [if there is a secret] to handling big macs.

Macs smell fear a mile away, and they know who they can dominate. If they can, they will...

Fortunately, even the beak on a lunging mac comes in a convenient handle shape. If he is leaning forward, he is off balance and extended.
As powerful as their beak is, their scrawny little necks are no match for your arm. Grab the top part of the beak with your thumb, index and middle finger, push in towards the bird, then pull towards you. The bird just lost his balance...

As he loses his balance, your hand goes under the feet and lifts him up.

Now he's on your hand. (Birdie said no. That's yes!) That little hissy fit didn't work...

If he continues with the hissy fit, the hand lets go and he's on the floor, and can sit there and think about it a minute... (That's NO!!!)

No fuss. No drama. Nothing abusive. No time to react. Just do it. Boom! Message received. If this happens when he throws a hissy, he'll stop throwing them...

If he gets his way when he throws a hissy, you have just taught the bird to throw hissys and use his beak to get what he wants.

It's just that simple, and just that complicated...

 

[Astro]

lol- ok thanks I searched the internet and everything I find is info that I have to pay for. But I do admit I could have went deeper Thanks. And I changed my avatar- so next will try posting pics.

Ok- here is my first try at a pic:
(And it doesn't work yet That's ok, I will be patient

 

[Astro]

UpdateL Cosmo did really good today. He even let me flip him upside down and play rock a baby I think he's getting back to normal pretty quick. Hope it keeps going up

Gonna try to post a pic again:- still doesn't work, so here's a link:

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6519605

 

[TexDot33]

What a beautiful boy you have there Astro!! After looking at Cosmo's pictures, and looking at images of both a Shamrock and a Calico Macaw ... I think that I am going to have to agree with the person who says he's a CALICO Macaw ... the features of a Greenwing are just so pronounced (especially the red feather lines around the eyes) that if it wasn't for the red tuft of feathers right behind his nares I just might ask you why you painted your GW ... :18:

~ :50:

 

[Tracy842]

Glad to hear Cosmo is doing so well!!! He is a beautiful bird. I'm thinking he is a Calico too. Where did you get him from? Did they know if he was a Shamrock?

 

[Keupi]

That's great news Astro! Good luck and keep posting about your progress!

 

[Flyte]

I'm glad he's doing so much better! It sounds like he's remembered all the things you guys used to do together.
On the bite pressure training.. I of course trained Madison about what was appropriate for her beak and my fingers but never knew there was an actual name for it, lol.
Good info although I really don't agree that all macaws and amazons need to be stick trained.. I've never used sticks for anything other than perches and chew toys with my birds, even the ones who were abused and angry. I just work with them until they are ready to be on my hand and if I get bit I get bit. I think a stick is just kinda.. impersonal and rude.
She goes on my shoulder sometimes but only when I say it's ok. She will kinda act like she's about to climb up there and then look at me for a yes or a no. Sometimes she starts to go and then says no and stops. lol. I guess she can be a good girl at times!

 

[Astro]

You guys think he's a Calico?? Ok, Then that confirms it for me too changed it in my profile . Thanks for the coments. I'll try to get more pics. I'm gonna take some with my cell when I get home. I thought he was a Shamrock because of his tale feathers. His whole belly is read and under his wings is blue, yellow, and red. I got him when he was a year old in Alaska. The guy I bought him from told me he was just a Military Macaw. I didn't have a clew about macaws so I believed him. That's the only thing I remember about what the guy said so that's also why I though he was a Shamrock (Also- I only checked out 1 pic of each kind). Thanks again you guys.

 

[Astro]

I'm back and I was really surprised that I had no problem getting Cosmo out of his cage and giving me love. I was afraid that being gone for 2 weeks would make him mad but he's doing really good. I'm working on the "Pressure bite" technique, and it seems to be working. So far there's been no blood involved

(Bu the way- I was in PA- and I saw there is someone in PA on here? My Sister justed moved to New Castle- thus my vacation was getting her there. Very Beautiful place!)

 

[Flyte]

I'm in Pa. The section I live in is not beautiful. lol. Just kidding it's nice I guess I'm just sick to death of it and I hate the snow. Leaves are changing

 

[TexDot33]

Chin-up Flyte ... the New Farmers Almanac says that it's supposed to be a mild winter in the North East this year ... with "less than average" snow fall!

 

[Astro]

I hate the snow too. I heard that the snow keeps getting less up there every year- so maybe you wont get much

 

[Astro]

So far Cosmo is doin good. He bit down a little too hard today when I was playing with him, but I was able to stop him before he broke skin Here's a couple of pics. One is with him ans my min pin - she wants to play, but Cos doesn't want anything to do with her! He just tells her to stop it . hope the pics work: (let me know if they ar too big.

I made this one look weird (Sharpened it more than usual)

woo hoo- my pics worked

 

[Redballoon]

I reckon he can be bought back to the fold.
All you need to do is remind him of the old days and his memories will come flooding back. He will look forward to getting things back on track I bet. The good thing is, he will remember how you used to treat him and coz he remembers, he will look forward to getting back to the way things used to be as much as you do. Lots of love and attention will cure all. I predict a happy outcome and I am right 59% of of the time.

 

[Tracy842]

Cosmo looks like he's doing great!!!

 

[Astro]

Thanks. He is doing really good.

 

[Astro]

Just thought I'd give a little update. Cosmo is back to his normal loveable self I'm so happy! The only bummer thing is the holes he puts in my shirts. Time to start saving old ones just for him My dad showed up today and my mom said he started getting upset when he walked in. My dad & stepmom are the ones I just took him from. He does not like him at all! Then what made me really mad is my dad said "You can put him out on the patio and just cover him up at night- he will be just fine out there"- oooo- That just erks me! That's how he got to the way he was in the first place- not being around people and being held! My mom told him he was just fine where he is (In our living room in front of a big window ) I was at work, but I wish I was home at the time. Anyways- He's doing really good "Yay"

 

[TexDot33]

The only bummer thing is the holes he puts in my shirts.

That, and the poop!

Glad to hear that Cosmo has come back around ... *psssst* we told you he would
Very happy to hear that you have your buddy back!

Sometimes, non-bird people have no idea what they are talking about, and I really do believe it is do to lack of knowledge ... I think it is up to us to inform these people just what these animals are completely about ... because once they know, I doubt that they would leave a loving, caring, feeling being on a porch all night ...

 

[Astro]

Yep- My buddy's back- And you guys were right thanks for the support. I know what you mean about non bird people, the thing is tat they are bird people. They raise Goffin Cockatoos, the have a umbrella cockatoo, another Macaw that hates everybody, and my stepmom belongs to a bird club. I think that they thik since all the birds are together in a shed and they leave a radio on for them, and go out nd feed them and talk to them, that's all they need. But she hand feeds the babies! I just don't get them. I think it's mostly my dad- He just didn't like Cosmo cause Cosmo didn't like him. My bird has a good judgement of character

 

[TexDot33]

I truly believe, that when it comes to handling Macs, you either have "The Mac Gene" of you don't ... and the Macs know if you do or not ... if you don't have "The Mac Gene" then you shouldn't be trying to handle a Mac much less own one ...