Hormonal macaws

[tfw]

So question about hormonal birds. Kass is only 2 so she is still rather pleasant. We are prepared for hormonal years but I'm wondering how much success people have had with avoiding the worst of the hormonal behaviors like screaming and meanness. Is it possible she may never or at least rarely go through those periods? Is it avoidable?

So far she is the sweetest girl and only screams nonstop once in a while, and we ignore her during those times and then later distract with toys and cuddles.

We know the petting rules...head only.

We do training almost everyday do keep her engaged.

She spends most of the day out with us and has a strict routine.

Healthy diet or fresh veggies and fruits with high quality pellets all day. Will adjust to low hormone-inducing foods as needed.

No covered areas for nesting.

But even if we follow the advice to lessen the nesting instinct, there's no guarantee she won't go full-on hormonal right?

 

[SailBoat]

Although it has no effect on the extent of Hormonal influence it does help in knowing when! Location, location, location! If you are near the Equator or deep in the Southern Hemisphere, or well into the Great White North does have a clear effect of WHEN the hormone chemicals will flow.

Speaking just about 'New World Parrots,' which includes Macaws, it is important to understand that as individuals, they will be effected differently. In addition, their diet will either contribute or limit the enhancement of the chemical flow. Sugar has a serious effect on enhancing the chemical flow -- think two /three year old child, plus a load of sugar, i.e. a Sugar High! So, a Macaw with a heavy flow of hormonal chemicals and a sugar high. That is a combination that should scare anyone...

This year as been over the top for Parrots across the Northern Hemisphere. The 'season' has been far longer than normal and for some, far more intense.

With all Parrots, it is very important to understand that they have NO Control of when or how intense! At most, all we can do is to back away and allow them space and time to cool-off and come back down to kind of normal. It is not uncommon for them to look surprised as you are about the rush of chemicals.

Sometime between year three and five, they will enter their first years of experiencing the chemical rush. These are commonly the most difficult because NO One is prepared, especially your Mac. The length of this period is also an individual thing, but commonly in the three to five years with them understanding the flow and dealing with a bit better each year.

One of the most important things to remember is: This Too Shall Pass!

Your Parrot will change, but the stronger the relationship prior to entering this period, the more that relationship will maintain itself.

 

[chris-md]

Yes, reiterating my good friend above. Every bird is unique.

Which is why I’d recommend the following: it doesn’t do to dwell on this question. Puberty is so highly individualized that knowing what other birds have experienced (hoping the odds are in your favor) does you no good. dyour bird will have its own reaction.

The best way I could advise you here is this: expect the worst, but hope for and be surprised by the best. Most of us have experienced the bad stuff To some degree or other, so rest assured you’ll likely experience it To some degree or other as well.

And if you don’t: surprise!

 

[tfw]

It is one of those things you just have to go through I guess. We have plenty of patience (parents of 3 fleshy kids lol) and we have definitely developed a ton of trust with each other. I just wanted to see if I could do anything to prepare diet/mood wise. We know we cannot completely stop it and we accept it. Just wondered if we could help her through it.

Sailboat, you mentioned sugar. You mean simple or complex carbs? Or were you just using that as an analogy - sugar and kids. Sounds like diet can help alleviate things a bit. She doesn't get a lot of fruit...we follow the 20/70 fruit to veggie ratio strictly.

Thanks for enlightening me on the science. I feel better when things are explained.

 

[chris-md]

Any sugar/carbs! This includes anything from fructose to sucrose to starch. Fruits are a hidden source of sugar, and rice. Ekkie owners have to be on the watch for this constantly, lest we fall victim to Induced hormones.

Also: you don’t have to be STRICT about that ratio. Nutrition is often a long game of sorts. On any given day you’re never going to get 100% of our vitamins and minerals. Some days you’ll get 300% of your vitamins just by eating two oranges. If you fancy giving your bird a special treat, an extra dragon fruit perhaps, go for it.

 

[tfw]

Also: you don’t have to be STRICT about that ratio. Nutrition is often a long game of sorts. On any given day you’re never going to get 100% of our vitamins and minerals. Some days you’ll get 300% of your vitamins just by eating two oranges. If you fancy giving your bird a special treat, an extra dragon fruit perhaps, go for it.

LOL yeah when I said strict, I meant strict in that we do not overfeed sweets -- she gets it everyday, and sometimes a little more as a treat (cuz come on....I haven't met a bird lover who hasn't given in to their cute faces!), but I do not bombard them with too much daily otherwise she won't eat her veggies.

 

[SailBoat]

As so well stated above by my good friend, there are no assured method to reduce the transit that puberty starts.

Remember, she has 'zero' control of the on-set, nor the duration.

Love her and give her space.

 

[wrench13]

Another thing to think about puberty; try not to introduce negative behavior patterns or harm any in place positive ones. Salty, who breezed thru his 1st year of puberty, was really hard hit this past season, and became very loud ( whining because there were no HENZ ) and real bitey. We had to work hard not to react to the loud whining and screeching, and to read his body launguage reeeeaaaallllyy closely so we didnt destroy that close bond we have with him. He has passed thru this massive mating season of 2019/20 and is back to his more pleasant self, maybe a tad more cocky and self confident.

Just continue to build the bond with Kass and the whole family, and more 'n likely what goes in is what will come out. A strong realtionship with a well fed, active and mentally engaged parrot will make a big difference once puberty does come rolling round.

 

[tfw]

All this collective experience helps in the "what to expect" part. We feel we r in trial mode now. While she doesn't often spend time screaming, she has her moments where she would scream nonstop most of the day unless held (those times we made sure NOT TO GIVE in and we just grin and bear it and walk away until she settles). We know it is 100 times worse during hormonal periods.

We believe in training the person, not the bird when it comes to that. We just have to be mentally prepared for the worse and knowing/understanding the situation helps a lot. As for biting, we have grown tougher with not reacting when it happens (always by accident, never too bad while playing).

 

[SailBoat]

All this collective experience helps in the "what to expect" part. We feel we r in trial mode now. While she doesn't often spend time screaming, she has her moments where she would scream nonstop most of the day unless held (those times we made sure NOT TO GIVE in and we just grin and bear it and walk away until she settles). We know it is 100 times worse during hormonal periods.

We believe in training the person, not the bird when it comes to that. We just have to be mentally prepared for the worse and knowing/understanding the situation helps a lot. As for biting, we have grown tougher with not reacting when it happens (always by accident, never too bad while playing).

With screaming, work at introducing 'contact calling' with her. Fundamentally its oneself, actively talking (etc.) with her as you move from room to room. Also, consider when you go outside that you show-up in a window that she can see you, this will help her connect you being outside and as a result, not to expect a 'contact call' return... Remember, that it is common that birds will be out of sight of each other, but there is on-going 'contact calls'.

A couple of examples: I'm in here, where are you? I'm going into the kitchen, I'll be back in the minutes. I'm coming your way. I'm home, really missed you, did you miss me? Its endless, as are the songs and sounds you can incorporate. We find that screaming drops greatly and only occurs when our Amazon is displaying his Joy Of Life!!!

 

[tfw]

Actually when she was having daily continuous screams a few months ago, she may have been overstimulated. Covid hit, schools closed. Her primary hang out spot is the kitchen where we have her gym. In the kitchen were also 2 gaming computers....so the kids were always on it. Add to that the hubs and I both work from home even before covid...and guess what....the kitchen is where we usually work because we wanted to be close with her.

Needless to say she was rarely alone and when she had her fits, there were always at least 2 people in the kitchen, mostly 4. And we were all within 8' of her.

A month into covid, we moved the computers to the basement then we noticed she stopped having her scream fits! Go figure.

Did we hit luck here with her not concerned when we walk out of the room? Sometimes we do leave her for a few minutes and she never worries. She actually stays quiet and plays on her own (we have cameras on her gym). We had been observing how quiet she was the past few months. Quiet in relation to those fits she had before. She has scream fits but not often and only for a few minutes. She plays well on her own and plays with us when we are free. Pretty well adjusted I think. Which led us to talking about how we shouldn't get used to this because in a year or 2 she will be hormonal and completely different.

EDIT: FYI when I say scream fits, they aren't scared or angry fits. More like what you said -- joy of life and just happy happy happy.