I hope this isn't too weird..

[StephenAndKyleigh]

I joined a Facebook group and found a very knowledgeable married couple that are long time members of the group. We live about 30 minutes from each other so I asked them if I could come over, ask questions, and socialize with their fids. I honestly was expecting them to be weirded out by it, but it turns out they are just as weird as I am and welcomed me into their home. They have too many birds to name, but today we focused on the process for cleaning cages, and socializing with their 8 year old blue and gold macaw. They told me very quickly that the macaw doesn't like to be picked up by strangers and wont let you pick him up...

I summoned my inner Mark (Birdman666) and took control of the situation. The bird turned out to be a big bluffing baby. Within 30 minutes of treating him for letting come close, then praising him for letting me touch his foot, treating for letting me barely touch his head...so on and so forth. He ended up stepping up for me, switching hands comfortably, and allowing to pet him and give beak scratches. All in all a wonderful hands on experience.

I am so ready for my Kyleigh to arrive, but I am still ensuring that I am prepared for the journey. Here's a picture. I would say his name, but I honestly dont know how it was spelled and I would totally butcher it.

 

[Mimsy01]

What a gorgeous bird he is.

I love how much hands on experience you are getting prior to getting your first bird. I wish there was more people like you.

 

[RavensGryf]

"Turns out they were just as weird as I am" ROTFL! That's awesome Stephen... I'm so glad they were too!!

I think you are one of those people who are naturals with the species. Like Mark says "the Macaw gene" lol. I think you have it .

 

[itchyfeet]

Brilliant! Good on you for being gutsy enough to ask - and what an awesome reward!

 

[WilliamKenyon]

Awesome. It must feel great to have bonded with the bird in such a short time!!. i hope for the best for you and your bird. Also look at those beautiful feathers.

 

[JerseyWendy]

HA! That was brilliant, Stephen! I love that you took the initiative to just ask to come over with those perfect 'weird' strangers. HAHAHAH!! You are doing everything right. Kudos to you! Would have loved to see their faces when you were interacting with their B&G like an 'old' pro.

Awesome. It must feel great to have bonded with the bird in such a short time!!. i hope for the best for you and your bird. Also look at those beautiful feathers.

Ahem...William, that's not Stephen's (the OPs) bird. He explained that he was visiting with folks who have birds to gain experience before bringing his own baby home.

 

[StephenAndKyleigh]

Thanks so much parrot family! I hear so many horror stories about "bad and untrainable macaws" when really it's uneducated humans doing an injustice to bird. I just don't want Kyleigh to go through that. She has to know that I love her and that I'm charge from day one, no matter how big her beak is lol. I was able to handle a "stick trained" Greenwing as well. It just took a few minutes of luring him to my hand with nuts. Every time he took a step, he got a treat. After some time he stepped onto my hand. It just takes time and patience on behalf of the human! I feel a lot less overwhelmed to have a baby in my home soon, but there are still things I am learning.

 

[JerseyWendy]

And you and Kyleigh will learn together, too. It will be an adventure - your best one yet! The rewards are endless, the joy they bring into our lives tremendous, and the love is unconditional.

 

[GreatBlue320]

I am very impressed by your commitment to learn as much as you can about your baby before she comes home and for seeking out hands on opportunities with other macaws to build your confidence and skills. Good for you!