Macaw body language help

[serge_09]

So everyone I brought lol home she arrived last night. I'd love to attach a photo but I have no idea how lol.

So I got her in her cage last night and let her be, she's been in there all day aswell, when I approach the cage inside via the door she kind of retreats, pulls her head in and fluffs her head feathers up and jut sits there still with her beak slightly open, she even looks scared. Earlier on she was lunging aswell.

Where do I go from here? The impression I get is i will get bit, which I don't fancy 16 hours into ownership lol.


She's been quiet since getting her home but has just started becoming more vocal again?

She also doesn't look to have ate much?

Just a bit concerned, like a new dad haha

Thanks

 

[cstambaugh]

treats, treats, treats, treats, and more treats. Feed her though the cage, maybe even via a spoon. She is being very cage aggressive and protective, which is understandable. Let her do what she wants, DO NOT FORCE ANYTHING. If you keep putting your hand near her while she is in that pose, you will get bit.
Just keep feeding her treats and changing out her water every day for the next couple of days until she realizes you're not an immediate threat.

 

[serge_09]

I have tried to give her bits of fruit and nuts (separately, not the chocolate obviously lol) but she's just not interested??

 

[JerseyWendy]

Here is a tutorial on how to post pictures: http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

Your baby is most likely QUITE scared. BRAND new home, new people, new cage, new sounds new sights....new EVERYTHING.

Quietly sit by her cage and talk to her, ready to her. Watch her relax.

Can't wait to see some footage.

MANY congrats, by the way!!!

 

[Blancaej]

I would sit next to her cage several times a day and just talk to her. Offer a treat such as a pistachio while you are sitting their and talking calmly to her. Try to do this 3 to 4 times a day and more if you have the time.

When I brought Coqui home I would sit next to her cage after work and talk for 30 minutes. Telling her she is a pretty girl, it's ok and stuff like that. I would sit with her for 30 minutes, give her a break for 30 minutes and go back again.

Since I was sitting, I was not threatning and by using a calm voice it made her more relaxed. This is all new for him/her. Give it time and be patient with your macaw and let them take the lead. You will be able to move forward a little bit each day.

It will get better, trust me.

And Congrats!

 

[serge_09]

I did manage to get a little head/beak stroke in but maybe I'm pushing my luck. I've spent most the day just sat looking relaxed talking to her, when the time comes am I better trying to touch her and everything in the cage or get her out of it with a hand perch and then try out of the cage??

Thank you all

 

[JerseyWendy]

Remember, she is JUST a baby, she has NO mean bone in her body. You can teach her EVERYTHING from scratch - you have a clear canvas.

Have you seen her eat yet? What are you offering her (food wise)?

Don't be in any rush, you have a lifetime together now.

 

[serge_09]

I've seen the remains of cracked nuts in her bowl and I have hand fed her grapes and banana. She loves banana! The treat tip has worked perfectly I'll try and get a photo to show the progress

 

[BruceV]

I'm not making a lot of progress with mine, but I am making some. Last night we chased him around the top of the cage for 2 hours before we could get him to come down. He thought it was fun. I don't recommend letting them get to the top of the cage. I was trying not to, but he made it anyway. So today he doesn't want to come out. So I talk to him, dance with him, sing to him and ask him if he wants to come out. But he's shaking, so I leave him be. He'll come out in time. I'm patient. I'll wait for him.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I don't know if I missed it somewhere.....what did you name your new baby girl?????

 

[Birdman666]

One of the things you are doing, that is setting off your macaw, is SHOWING FEAR. They are empathic. If you are afraid, they will be afraid. If you are calm and confident, they will be calm and confident.

If this one figures out that he or she can control you by screaming, biting or acting like the big bad birdie... you have just trained her to scream, bite, and act like the big bad birdie...

The more you handle this bird, the tamer she will become. Right now, she was disoriented and unsure in a new place.

The first order of business will be to pattern this bird to her new routine, and socializer her. This is who I am. This is where you live now. This is when we wake up. This is your out/outside time. This is the time you play on your own. This is when and what we eat. This is when we go to sleep. These are strangers. Don't be afraid of them, it's okay, I won't let them hurt you...

The second order of business will be to teach her not to use bite pressure, which entails a form of "beak play" communicating to the bird when she is starting to apply too much pressure.

It's a learning process, for both of you.

 

[Birdman666]

Last night we chased him around the top of the cage for 2 hours before we could get him to come down. He thought it was fun.

As long as he thinks that's a fun game, he will continue to do it.

It stops being fun, when Dad gets on a step stool, and says "Okay, you had your fun, but this kind of fun time is over, now it's time to step up nice..." And means it.

Until that happens, the bird has no reason to obey.

I'm just saying...

And the longer he gets away with pushing the boundaries on this one, the more likely he is to continue pushing them with his beak when push comes to shove...

This is toddler, "I don't wanna!"

Have you tried turning your back on him, and sitting at the base of his cage, completely ignoring him, while say cracking open, and eating, walnuts or pistachios?!

"I was going to give you some of these, but since you don't want to come down and see me..."

Don't even look at him. But just see how fast it takes him to go batty. Want one? Step up nice and take it from me standing on my hand. Make him climb down and waddle over to you on the floor, and step up nice...

 

[Sarah13]

Sorry bud, another inquiry... How do you teach beak pressure. I have some ideas but I'm sure you're more effective. Thanks

One of the things you are doing, that is setting off your macaw, is SHOWING FEAR. They are empathic. If you are afraid, they will be afraid. If you are calm and confident, they will be calm and confident.

If this one figures out that he or she can control you by screaming, biting or acting like the big bad birdie... you have just trained her to scream, bite, and act like the big bad birdie...

The more you handle this bird, the tamer she will become. Right now, she was disoriented and unsure in a new place.

The first order of business will be to pattern this bird to her new routine, and socializer her. This is who I am. This is where you live now. This is when we wake up. This is your out/outside time. This is the time you play on your own. This is when and what we eat. This is when we go to sleep. These are strangers. Don't be afraid of them, it's okay, I won't let them hurt you...

The second order of business will be to teach her not to use bite pressure, which entails a form of "beak play" communicating to the bird when she is starting to apply too much pressure.

It's a learning process, for both of you.

 

[Jlong1989]

Be careful she might take your finger off (said everyone who has never had a macaw) lol

With my moms macaw I would just give him a walnut or pistachio every time I passed by his cage or play stand. Eventually he came to realize Im not such a bad person and let me pick him up and pet him. It just takes time I know its frustrating but it will pay off in the end

 

[beidel19]

I am still learning as well with my baby. I have had her now for about 6 weeks. She is 8 months old. She has never really tried to bit anyone of us hard. But when she does start putting more pressure on a finger or when she grabs ahold of my glasses I tell her "no bite" and she lets off right away. That seems to be working for her. But I feel very lucky with her because she has interacted with us from day one.

Mike

 

[cstambaugh]

lap games are a good way to teach bite pressure. Play with her beak so she is wrapping her beak around your hand. When she bites too hard, let her know. When she is biting easy and what you want it to be, re-enforce her good behavior. It wont take long to understand what is too hard and what is fun and acceptable.