How to play with your macaw

[Chesphoto]

I have been volunteering at a shelter to find the right parrot and gain some experience. I love macaws, but I was very afraid of their bite.

I have been having a blast just feeding them, moving them out of their cage to play areas and giving them some scratches. But still a little bit apprehensive...

I would love to get some tips on what your macaws love. For example, if I hold a cockatoo on my hand and move my arms up and down, they love it. They stretch their necks and bob their heads up and down and just have a great time.

What should I try with the larger macaws?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[ParkersMom]

Keiko my Blue and Gold is very beaky...she likes to preen my fingers...and tries to taste everything... once you get past the lunging and bluffs they are awesome

 

[Pinkbirdy]

2 ways to do this .You could research your species. Choose a breeder close to you and pick a baby .That you can visit often during the weaning process,you can learn together. Or spend as much time as you can with them[at the shelter] and learn their mannerisms.Get brave wear a sweatshirt and challange yourself as time goes by [they seem to let you know when their interested] and show no fear to the lunging. Then try to progress the relationship to having them spend time with you .They like to be talked to and their head scratched.Who knows one might bond with you :red:

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

I volunteer at a bird store as well. There are 3 GW macaws I interact with every time I am there. Just like you, initially I was scared of their beaks. After about 7 months of volunteering there one of the GW decided to make the first move since I was still too timid. It started with simple scratches like what you're doing and then I started to ruffle the feathers around the neck and head more thoroughly. But during this entire time of playing with them, I am watching their eyes and beak. You might already know to look for if they pin their eyes. As a precaution, most of the time when I am playing and ruffling their feathers I have one hand on their beak at all times....but that also turns into a fun game for them. I'll wiggle or vibrate my hand on their beak and make a sound effect.

So as I mentioned there are 3 macaws and they all like different things. So really try to get to know each one as an individual. One likes it when I really ruffle his feathers and play a lil more rough (but really have to watch his beak cause he pinches for fun) Another I don't touch really but she loves to go through all the tricks she knows ("peek-a-boo", high five, etc.) The newest to the group simply likes you to really massage his feathers all over his head neck and under the wings. He is protective of his food and toys, so I will only play with him if those 2 things aren't near. ....So basically like others said, just really get to know their personality and odds are they will let you know what they want.

 

[WharfRat]

So really try to get to know each one as an individual.

Absolutely!!! They are all "individuals" and need to be approached as such, I have 2 GW's with very different personalities so they each have to be handled according to their needs/wants. Just as most any animal, they will sense fear/hesitation, that is also a key in dealing with those large beaks. And yes I too grab their beaks if need be but not much anymore, just part of the training process.

 

[Turquoise]

When I first take Roscoe out on my arm, he usually likes to snuggle up close & preen my clothes. Not to mention grab & break off any buttons he can get to before I can cover them. LOL He also loves to have me swing my arm up & down. He flaps his big wings & makes silly squawking sounds. Sometimes he will hang off the back of my arm when I play with him in this way. It is ok as long as I have my 'birdy' jacket on (this is an old jacket they can chew on all they want cause the zipper is already broken). But, if he is on my bare skin, his weight causes his claws to dig in a bit too much & we have to go to some other game.

When he is in the mood he does like to feed my finger & he will hold one finger in his claw ever so gently while calling me Angel which is his brother's name. He loves his head & neck scratched & I can actually scratch him anywhere on his body. He is totally bonded to me & ok with anything I do except when he is in a bratty mood. Those times he gets put back in his aviary & I come back later when he is in a much better mood.

Angel can't stand on my arm so our interactions consist of more of him chewing and preening my clothes. He does love his head & neck scratched, but no other part of his body. When I try to scratch or touch the rest of him, he gives a warning squawk & nips at my hand. I can & do hold him in my lap for snuggle times. I drape a towel over my lap for him to feel more secure with something to hang onto. With Angel it is a little different, but each morning when I go into his side of the aviary to feed him he is waiting on his door so he can take his best side & hold onto my shoulder with his foot & that's when he likes to preen me. He has a more laid back & calm attitude, not as much drama as Roscoe sometimes likes to create when he is in a mood. LOL