I can't sleep Too excited

[Shayne]

Well I have another 4 sleepless nights to endure before I pick up my first macaw on Sunday. This is the first time in years I have become excited enough about something to not be able to sleep. Last time I remember is christmas eve as a kid.

I'm getting a male blue and gold macaw. About 3 years old with cage and everything else for £820. Hes only been at his current owners for 2 weeks as he is a breeder and needed a female but ended up with another male. Hope that doesn't unsettle him too much.

I'll probably have a whole load of questions come next week.

 

[JerseyWendy]

LOL Isn't it just AWESOME to be this excited about your new family member? The big countdown is on...yay! Try and get a little rest though, you will need all the energy you can get once you bring your B&G home.

What's his name????

Now I'm excited...and he's not even mine.

Can't wait to see pictures of your new baby once you get him home.

 

[Shayne]

His name is Ali I think. If he doesnt recognise his name though I may rename him. I'll have to try and stop thinking about him though if I want some sleep. He appeared in my dream last night when I finally got to sleep and woke me back up.

 

[wenz2712]

Congrats Shane

I am really pleased for you, especially after your disappointment last Week.

 

[WeimerHeimer]

I know that feeling ...... had it many times. It never stops, no matter how many times you gear up for a new member of your flock.

Congrats!

 

[Sherry]

Very exciting!!!! Can't wait for the pics. Don't you feel like like a kid!

 

[plax]

That's really cool! I'll be looking forward to photos

 

[Narkissios]

I still have six weeks or so before my macaw arrives home, but i cant sleep now, it feels like an eternity. So yeh i know where your coming from its an awesome feeling tho, waiting, anticipation, excitement.

Cant wait for the pictures,

Take care

 

[Shayne]

He's finally here and he's awesome.

I can sleep again now. The excitment has been replaced by a nice warm feeling. I love him to bits already and havn't even had him a day yet.

I got him to step up twice and then he ran onto my shoulder and started licking my ear. He says hello and goodnight. I think I actually trained him to say goodnight as he didn't say it untill I repeated it to him several times.

And I've managed to book this afternoon of as leave so I can get back and see him in a few hours. Can't wait. Shame I've got so much work to do. I'm going to have to sit next to his cage doing work. I think I'll walk through the forest on the way home and collect some pine wood for making him a play stand and toys. Unfortunatly everything is frozen today.

And here's a picture of my new pride and joy.

 

[Turquoise]

Oh Ali is beautiful! And he looks happy. It sounds like you two will be fast friends.

 

[Narkissios]

That is so totally awesome, congrats hes a hansom little fellow.

 

[JerseyWendy]

YAY!!! Ali is HOME! He is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I am so happy for you, and I know that warm and fuzzy feeling you're describing, too.

 

[Shayne]

His names actually Monty. I never asked his name before I went to get him and found his name from the pictures on their facebook. But that was their other macaw. I think I might rename him though as he doesn't seem to respond to his name and I don't like where they derived his name from. Before they DNA tested him he was called Hannah Montana apparently. When they found out he was male they changed it to Monty. All the pets I get seem to have silly previous names. My cat was called princess before we got her and was quickly renamed to Poppy.

 

[LoveMyParrots]

Wow, he is beautiful! Congrats!

 

[wenz2712]

He is adorable

 

[plax]

He's a good looking boy! I'm very happy for you both, Shayne

 

[aliray]

Handsome boy, congrats on your new baby

 

[noblemacaw]

Wow...what a healthy beautiful macaw! Very handsome for sure. I am not sure if it is flash camera artifact but the greenish black feathers right under his lower beak look so beautiful. I have never seen that on a blue and gold macaw.

Can we see more pictures of him please. Please? PLEASE?????

Congrats on your new friend for life. I don't know if I missed it but what did you decide to call him?

 

[Shayne]

I'll get some more pictures up tommorrow if I can find another camera to use. Mines gone flat and I can't find the charger.
I think I'm going to name him Rio as he doesn't reckognise his old name anway. I know it's a bit of a common name but I don't care as I like it. I'm also very indecisive when it comes to naming pets.

I'm trying to decide weather I should get him out and handle him tommorrow or leave him in his cage to get used to me more.

I've been sitting next to his cage all evening gazing at him in awe and hand feeding him treats. If I stick my fingers in without a treat he'll come and give me a weak bite. As soon as I open the cage door he's on a mission to escape to the roof. It took me a while to get him down. I spent ages trying to lure him with food but he wouldn't quite follow it the whole way. Then I tried to lure him onto my arm with food. He put one leg on but not both. So then I tried just telling him to step up for ages in a far too friendly voice but to no avail. So then I changed my approach and cornered him so he couldn't back off then asked him to step up in a firm slightly angry voice and he did almost immediatly. It was alot easier than that yesterday the first time he stepped up.

I had to ignore his lunges though. I've succesfully avoided flinching in the slightest so far and have not yet been bitten hard. I've been saying no to him in a firm voice and frowning when he bites but not sure if I should bother. I'm the only person out of all my housemates who doesn't react to him biting so maybe he'll bond to me better. His bites don't bother me as he hasn't bitten hard yet. Would it be more effective to give him absolutely no reaction at all. Sometimes he only puts his beak around my fingers and licks them.

He goes nuts if I try to touch his back or tail but climbs my shoulder and starts licking my face when I got him to step up. The 3 times he's stepped up so far I've put him straight back in his cage as it's usually at the end of a long wait to lure him back to his cage. I managed to manouver him into his cage when he was on my shoulder the first time. Do you think I should walk away from his cage and sit down with him and see how he reacts. Maybe he might let me touch him if he's away from his territory.

I'm just not quite sure how far to push it yet though as I have read so much conflicting advice on the internet. I've only had him a day and a half. Some people say leave him a week. Some say you should get them to step up in the first 24 hours and get to handling them straight away. He seems happy enough in his cage and is displaying many behaviours of a happy macaw such as talking, chewing, hanging upside down. But I think all he really wants to do is sit on top of his cage. Would I be right in thinking it's a balancing act between being nice and gentle and avoiding doing anything that seems to upset him to gain his trust quicker. But then being bossy enough to stop him walking all over me.

Sorry about the long post. Got a bit carried away.

 

[plax]

Hi Shayne... Every bird is different in terms of how long it may take to accept a new environment and a new caregiver. From your description it sounds as if you're doing rather well with him. It doesn't seem to me that you need to rush things. Allow him to acclimate to his new world, and to you. Talk to him, sing to him, dance for/with him. When he does step onto your arm use it as an opportunity to begin the bonding process. Let him stay there for a while, speaking softly to him and scratching his head and neck if he'll let you.