Miligold macaw

[Joannr24]

Hi

I've been looking for a Macaw. I am at bird show in Az and a breeder named Mike from California has a year old Milligold male macaw. I held him and he was good. He is molting and had been in a crate for seven hours but was holding his own. When I asked him to get up again he bit me. Not bad just leave me alone. Apparently the previous owner moved and had to give him up.
Does this sound like a bad idea to buy this bird or is a year old a better option than a baby? He was a little ratty looking but he is molting and was stuck in a crate for seven hours.

 

[Terry57]

I am a sucker for the ones who really need a home, and it sounds like this guy does. You just need to decide if he is the one you want, or if you would rather have a younger baby. A year old is still very young, though, especially for a macaw
Good luck with your decision!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Joann, please make sure that whoever is selling this mac can prove his age. I don't trust people because unfortunately many will tell you only what you want to hear, especially if they are desperate for a quick sale.

I wouldn't worry about the bird having snapped at you the second time you asked him to step up. He's in a strange environment, with lots of different people, different sounds and sites, and most likely he's stressing a bit.

If you can give him a kind and loving home, by all means, go for him. If he is indeed only 1, then he's just a youngster, and he shouldn't have too many bad habits.

 

[Kiwibird]

I am personally a much bigger fan of adopting older birds or birds in need. They may be a little harder to train than a baby, but it's SUCH a rewarding experience, and they are every bit as capable of love and learning new things as a baby (just takes a little longer). Most of the time, a bird who's a little "ratty" looking needs a good bath, a good diet and within 2 years, will just be glowing. Our amazon came to us looking a bit rough around the edges, but as he got on a better diet and got regular baths, he is absolutely stunning- his plumage is about as perfect as it gets, he's almost iridescent. And while he was a challenge behaviorally at first, he is VERY smart, and once we gained his trust, he is just a joy to be around. A little hands off, but still very interactive in other ways. I wouldn't trade him for the world and am *so* glad we chose to give him a second chance instead of buying a baby.

It sounds like you really have a connection with this bird, and if I were you, I wouldn't pass on giving him a good home Let us know if you get him, and of course, everyone on here loves helping new owners create a great, lifelong bond with their birds, so feel free to ask all the questions you want along the way!

 

[Joannr24]

Ok on my way back to get him you guys convinced me! I'll post pics later

 

[Terry57]

Can't wait to see pics!!!

 

[Joannr24]

He's home.

 

[Cyrinaluna]

He's handsome!! I'm sure he'll feel right at home in no time

 

[Kiwibird]

He is gorgeous and has such sweet eyes! I bet he is very happy to be in a real home instead of being carted around in a crate. Does he have a name yet?

 

[Joannr24]

Aah thanks. I know the poor guys tail feathers are bent from the crate. I named him Toby.

 

[Terry57]

Toby is gorgeous! I am so happy you brought him home with you I can't even imagine how happy he must be to be out of that crate. I am looking forward to hearing more about him and seeing more pictures!

 

[Kiwibird]

I think Toby suits him well Did you just have that nice big cage sitting there waiting for a resident or did he come with it? I'm looking forward to hearing about his progress.

 

[Joannr24]

I bought the cage today since I didn't have a spare. It's not big enough long term but will be a perfect outdoor play cage for my AG. I am buying him a double Macaw cage like my cockatoo is in.

 

[Joannr24]

Enjoying his Papaya tonight

 

[Terry57]

He seems to be making himself right at home! How is he doing today?

 

[Joannr24]

He's doing well. I am realizing he is shy. Today I opened the door and he climbed right out. He will eat from my hand but he won't stand near my hand. So I offers him grapes and papaya. He takes so gently.
Then I had music on and he started bobbing his head and making little noises so then I turned it up loud and we danced to Michael jackson and Katy perry and he really likes that. So I put my fist up to him and he bit at me a couple times. Not mean spirited just testing. After he bit at it, I took my fingers and stroked his beak and then his head and he was fine. We did that a few times and then I let him go relax. He is afraid of the perch to get on but he respects it and will move right back in his cage when I want him to. He bit the perch while in my hand and I didn't move it. I am hoping he thinks it's an extension of my arm.

 

[Kiwibird]

Good for Toby. Sounds like he's going to be a good bird with a little TLC. He looks quite pleased with his papaya chunk Food is always a good way to gain birds trust, and especially good when they like the healthy stuff

 

[Birdbrain91]

Congrats!! Toby is a beautiful bird. He looks so happy sitting on his cage eating papaya.
I can't believe they would put him in a crate that long.

I'm so glad you got him.

 

[Joannr24]

So Toby talks!! All of a sudden today I hear him start talking. He says Hello, Step Up and Good Boy.
So here is my next question. He goes on the top of the cage now. It was my compromise because he needed out but I didn't want to pick him up yet. He still tries to bite my hand again playing and then I lightly grab his beak, rub it and scratch his head. He's taking food from my hand with no issue.
I want to work with a step up perch but he is really scared of the perches.
How do I go about working with him and training him to step up on a perch? I just worry about him biting me if I give him my hand right now.

 

[GW.Joe]

Enjoying his Papaya tonight

He Looks VERY Happy !!

Great Job !! :emoticonc