Need Advice Macaw With Anger Issues

[spirittoo]

Wellsir ... I have a friend that has a 16 year old male blue and gold macaw. Unfortunately my friend is an alcoholic and the bird stays in a room filled with storage junk. He's usually there 24/7 ... every day his partner has to ask him if he has feed the bird yet. And the answer is always "not yet".

I'm considering adopting the bird because I can't stand to see him in that room all the time and my friend not paying the bird any attention. The problem is the bird only wants my friends attention. He is the only one that can handle him without getting seriously bitten.

If I were to take him how would I deal with him? How would I be able to handle him without being bit? Instead of keeping him in a little room I would have him with me during his waking hours, and put his case in a spare bedroom where he can have his space. I just don't know if I can handle his anger issues. He is very aggressive and screams a lot especially when my friend is around and he won't pay him any attention. It's not that he doesn't love the bird ... he feels bad about not giving him the time he requires, but the alcohol prevents him from facing his issues.

What would you good folks advise?

Thank you for reading my post.

 

[LordTriggs]

Wellsir ... I have a friend that has a 16 year old male blue and gold macaw. Unfortunately my friend is an alcoholic and the bird stays in a room filled with storage junk. He's usually there 24/7 ... every day his partner has to ask him if he has feed the bird yet. And the answer is always "not yet".

I'm considering adopting the bird because I can't stand to see him in that room all the time and my friend not paying the bird any attention. The problem is the bird only wants my friends attention. He is the only one that can handle him without getting seriously bitten.

If I were to take him how would I deal with him? How would I be able to handle him without being bit? Instead of keeping him in a little room I would have him with me during his waking hours, and put his case in a spare bedroom where he can have his space. I just don't know if I can handle his anger issues. He is very aggressive and screams a lot especially when my friend is around and he won't pay him any attention. It's not that he doesn't love the bird ... he feels bad about not giving him the time he requires, but the alcohol prevents him from facing his issues.

What would you good folks advise?

Thank you for reading my post.

Have you cared for a macaw before? Or any parrot? If yes then take them, you will get bitten, even if it was the sweetest thing in existence it will bite at some point. That's part of owning a bird! If not I would approach your friend with an ultimatum. Either drop the booze and care for the bird, or the bird gets taken to a rescue. Your friend needs help and so does that bird. Being around junk constantly is going to kill him at some point and will only get more aggressive and territorial as time goes on. I don't know what's turned your friend to alcohol but they need to learn that their action of sitting and drinking has consequences, the chief of which will be their pet being taken away from them and they may never see them again

 

[plumsmum2005]

Why not try and care for bird there in their house and see if you can develop a relationship with him? His diet will probably need improving reading between the lines.

Some info http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

It could be the owner is actually making the bird worse at a guess? Would your friend hand him over to you?

 

[Allee]

It sounds like there is vast room for improvement in the bird's care. When you change the bird's environment it's likely the bird's attitude will improve as well but it takes time. Remember it's never the bird who is at fault, the bird is only reacting to the treatment he's receiving and the personalities around him. Parrots are social creatures, they need company.

I think Plumsmum has the right idea, try to improve the situation for the bird in his current home and see where it goes from there, take him treats, offer him a new toy, most importantly give him new reasons to trust humans.

 

[spirittoo]

Have you cared for a macaw before? Or any parrot? If yes then take them, you will get bitten, even if it was the sweetest thing in existence it will bite at some point. That's part of owning a bird! If not I would approach your friend with an ultimatum. Either drop the booze and care for the bird, or the bird gets taken to a rescue. Your friend needs help and so does that bird. Being around junk constantly is going to kill him at some point and will only get more aggressive and territorial as time goes on. I don't know what's turned your friend to alcohol but they need to learn that their action of sitting and drinking has consequences, the chief of which will be their pet being taken away from them and they may never see them again

Wellsir ... I have not cared for a macaw before ... I had a cockatiel for 13 years that hated my guts, so I'm a bit apprehensive about taking the macaw but I can't stand to see him lock up and neglected. Ultimatum will do no good ... he would only become defensive. He has serious issues of feeling overwhelmed and refuses to face them ... instead he uses the booze.
I fear the only way for him to face these issue is by force ... and I mean him getting a second DUI. The first time he quit for 3 years, but he fell off the wagon because of the issues he refuse to face. I and his partner have tried to get him to address the issues but he won't. He just comes home from work and gets drunk while the bird is upstairs screaming for him. My friend is really a very nice guy and he does feel bad about the bird, but he simply refuses to address his issue. He is in serious need of help, but won't seek it out. It unfortunately will have to be by force.

As far as recuse ... I was told by my friend they only try to talk you out of giving up the bird.

Why not try and care for bird there in their house and see if you can develop a relationship with him? His diet will probably need improving reading between the lines.

Some info http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

It could be the owner is actually making the bird worse at a guess? Would your friend hand him over to you?

I don't see the bird that often to try and establish a relationship with him. I live an hour and a half away from my friend so I only see him from time to time. When I am there I do try and speak with him, but he won't hear of it. I believe my friend would hand the bird over to me. He knows I would treat him well. I was there yesterday, and I and his partner got him to bring the bird outside during our cookout and he loved it. I am shocked the bird stills allows my friend to touch him. The bird must love him very much despite the treatment he receives. I was told that was the first time he has been outside in over a year. If he would let me touch him I would always bring him out of that room when ever I'm there.

It sounds like there is vast room for improvement in the bird's care. When you change the bird's environment it's likely the bird's attitude will improve as well but it takes time. Remember it's never the bird who is at fault, the bird is only reacting to the treatment he's receiving and the personalities around him. Parrots are social creatures, they need company.

I think Plumsmum has the right idea, try to improve the situation for the bird in his current home and see where it goes from there, take him treats, offer him a new toy, most importantly give him new reasons to trust humans.

Both my friend and his partner has a macaw ... both birds hate my guts. I have tried offering treats in the past and they just try to bite me. I always speak to them when I'm there, but the situation hasn't changed over the years.

I'm just concerned that if I do take him how to get the bird in and out of his cage without being attacked? I'm hoping a new cleaner environment will help, after time, but how to I keep from being seriously bitten in the mean time? Thanks to you all for reading my post.

 

[Birdman666]

You'd probably be starting over from square one...

But just getting him out of that situation, and getting him on a regular good food diet, and getting him out of his cage, and getting attention again would do wonders...

HE'S TRAPPED IN A CAGE, GETTING NO ATTENTION, PROBABLY AN UNCLEAN CAGE, SURROUNDED BY JUNK, GETTING SENSORY DEPRIVED AND "DOING LIFE" IN SOLITARY WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF PAROL.... OF COURSE HE'S ANGRY!!!

 

[spirittoo]

Wow ... you must definitely be the birdman to have so many ... you must really love parrots.

If I do get this bird can I count on you good folks guidance? I'm going to need it. Thanks for reading my post.

 

[Scott]

Your intent to rescue this poor bird is extraordinarily noble, but first become thoroughly educated with the care and handling of a macaw. Birds often choose "their" people, so spend significant time with this bird before offering. If he does not appear to like you, the road will be very rocky!

A few threads of interest:
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Good luck, and yes, we are here to support you!

 

[spirittoo]

Okay ... I have a few questions ... first concerning this statement ...

If the bird is still acting piss-ey at that point, then the correct response is to use the palm of your hand on a closed bent fist, and just nonchalantly push the beak away when he lunges.

I'm not sure what you mean about my hand. Do you mean have it in a fist with the plam facing up? Or is my palm facing me with my hand in a fist? I can't picture a closed bent fist.

When I see him at my friends house with him in his cage in the junk room and being aggressive telling me to stay away how should I respond? Do the snake dance?

How should he be transported to my house? What should I focus on that first day with him?

Where should I set up his cage? In an upstairs spare room that gives him privacy or should I set it up in the livingroom where we all will be until he gets use to me and the dogs?

Should I leave him in his cage until he is use to me and trust me? How should I interact with him while he is in his cage?

Does his cage need to be covered while he sleeps?:27:

I'm looking into building him a gym of some kind with pvc pipe and wood so he can have that to mix with the rest of us.

Will I have to supervise him around my computers? Will he try do damage something like that?:06:

I'm sure I will have more questions, but I will start with these for now. Thank you for reading my post.

 

[LordTriggs]

Okay ... I have a few questions ... first concerning this statement ...

If the bird is still acting piss-ey at that point, then the correct response is to use the palm of your hand on a closed bent fist, and just nonchalantly push the beak away when he lunges.

I'm not sure what you mean about my hand. Do you mean have it in a fist with the plam facing up? Or is my palm facing me with my hand in a fist? I can't picture a closed bent fist.

When I see him at my friends house with him in his cage in the junk room and being aggressive telling me to stay away how should I respond? Do the snake dance?

How should he be transported to my house? What should I focus on that first day with him?

Where should I set up his cage? In an upstairs spare room that gives him privacy or should I set it up in the livingroom where we all will be until he gets use to me and the dogs?

Should I leave him in his cage until he is use to me and trust me? How should I interact with him while he is in his cage?

Does his cage need to be covered while he sleeps?:27:

I'm looking into building him a gym of some kind with pvc pipe and wood so he can have that to mix with the rest of us.

Will I have to supervise him around my computers? Will he try do damage something like that?:06:

I'm sure I will have more questions, but I will start with these for now. Thank you for reading my post.

you didn't mention you had dogs!

Get him to a rescue. One second looking away and that bird can and almost certainly will be munched

 

[Anansi]

I agree with LordTriggs in that dogs are very dangerous to birds. If you do decide to get this macaw, you would have to set up a situation in which they are definitely separated from each other. And you could never leave the macaw out unattended while the dogs are around. Not even for a few seconds.

Okay, let's see about these questions. Closed, bent fist. You remember in those martial arts movies where there would always be a guy who could use the palm heel strike to instantly kill by driving the shattered shards of the nose bone up into the brain? Well, kinda like that. Except obviously at a much slower clip and the fingers more tightly clasped into a fist. And the motion would be to the side instead of straight up. The point of keeping your hand in a fist is to minimize any damage that macaw beak can do. The fist tightens up the skin so there's less to pinch, and tucks in all the fingers so one can't be isolated and grabbed. With your hand thus protected, you can then ward off any lunges. Remaining calm and showing that he can't intimidate you will go a long way toward getting through to him.

When you see him at your friend's house, your best bet is to be in the room alone with him. Your friend is his primary, bonded person. So if he's there, or if the macaw can even hear his voice from another room, he may view you as a barrier to being with the person he really wants. Once you're alone with him, you can start off by feeding him his favorite healthy snack through the bars of the cage. Start off slowly. Baby steps. You want to begin building trust by making an association in his mind between you and tasty treats.

Your friend will have to help with the transport to your home. It can be done otherwise, but having your friend facilitate things will probably make for the smoothest transition.

Normally, having him in the center of things where the most activity is in the house is the way to go (well, to a point. There shouldn't be so much activity that it becomes a stressor, but he should get to feel like a part of the flock, so to speak), but I don't know the scenario with your dogs. I know you've likely seen tons of videos with dogs lovingly playing with birds and rolling around all cutesy together, but please do not go by those. At the end of the day, all dogs are predator animals. All parrots? Prey. What you are witnessing in those videos is the sublimation of those instincts. And all it takes is for that control to slip, for even a moment, and hardwired instinct to kick in and turn the day into something tragic. Never let down your guard where the predator and prey dynamic is involved.

While building the bond with him, you can read to him from outside of his cage. And bribery in the form of treats is always a good idea. You can also work on some target training from within his cage, using a stick (pointer or chopstick or some such) and rewarding the behavior every time he goes where you've pointed. This will build a sense of communication and will engage his mind. Once he begins to participate, he will come to look forward to your visits. Eventually, you can open the cage and attempt targeting him out.

Many people cover their birds' cages. I personally do not. I find that if a situation comes up where they can't be covered, it's better that they can adapt to the circumstance. Some birds who are always covered will be unable to sleep without said cover. But if you do go without covering, just make sure that at nighttime his area can be dark and quiet. All that said, however, if he's already used to being covered you don't want to take that away from him. He'll be making enough of an adjustment as is.

Gyms and tree stands and such are great for birds! There are tons of tutorials on this site. Hit that search tab and go to town!

He will indubitably attempt to utterly destroy your computer, breaking it down to its component atoms if he can, so yes, you'll want to supervise him around it.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask away!

 

[LordTriggs]

haha yes, probably not as much of a snap answer from Anansi. I'm very paranoid about birds and dogs knowing my mum's dogs and cats. The dog is perpetually interested by birds flying and the cats are confirmed killers of wild birds. Even the one that barely moves!

Birdman666 and Anansi are the people to listen to when it comes to the big birds!

Hopefully you can either give or find a good home to this poor bird

 

[spirittoo]

Wellsir ... my friends partner was a bit angry about me being serious about taking the bird. He said do I expect my friend to hand over a $1500 bird? He said my friend's father has a bird and he stays in a cage in a room by itself and it is happy. It doesn't have the aggression issue.

Malcolm was not wanted according to my friend's partner. He was over a year old at the store because no one wanted to deal with his aggression. He say Malcolm's bad destructive behavior keeps him in the room alone in the cage. His screaming got out of hand while he was downstairs in the living room, so he got put in the junk room by himself.

I understand about the dogs. I have 4 Chihuahuas ... one pure bred the others mixed with terrier. I lost my cockatiel because of the ***** I have. Our relationship has never been the same after she murdered my friend. I will NEVER forgive myself for what happened. For me taking Malcolm will atone for Sunshine's death. Sunshine had aggression issues also.

My friends with Malcolm have 4 dogs also. 2 Chihuahuas 1 Chihuahua mixed and a Jack Russell. Plus they have two large cats, and the other macaw.

It may be that my friend won't be willing to give up Malcolm. I will have to see. My friend's partner ask if I can even afford to take care of him. It would be tight until Dec. I will have my house paid off then, and I will be able to afford to care for him.

My friend's partner said I need to get a book and stop believing everything I read online. I said sure ... what do you recommend ... he couldn't tell me off hand.

So good people ... I don't know ... my friend may not be willing to let Malcolm go. I will have to talk with him and see.:19:

 

[LordTriggs]

Wellsir ... my friends partner was a bit angry about me being serious about taking the bird. He said do I expect my friend to hand over a $1500 bird? He said my friend's father has a bird and he stays in a cage in a room by itself and it is happy. It doesn't have the aggression issue.

Malcolm was not wanted according to my friend's partner. He was over a year old at the store because no one wanted to deal with his aggression. He say Malcolm's bad destructive behavior keeps him in the room alone in the cage. His screaming got out of hand while he was downstairs in the living room, so he got put in the junk room by himself.

I understand about the dogs. I have 4 Chihuahuas ... one pure bred the others mixed with terrier. I lost my cockatiel because of the ***** I have. Our relationship has never been the same after she murdered my friend. I will NEVER forgive myself for what happened. For me taking Malcolm will atone for Sunshine's death. Sunshine had aggression issues also.

My friends with Malcolm have 4 dogs also. 2 Chihuahuas 1 Chihuahua mixed and a Jack Russell. Plus they have two large cats, and the other macaw.

It may be that my friend won't be willing to give up Malcolm. I will have to see. My friend's partner ask if I can even afford to take care of him. It would be tight until Dec. I will have my house paid off then, and I will be able to afford to care for him.

My friend's partner said I need to get a book and stop believing everything I read online. I said sure ... what do you recommend ... he couldn't tell me off hand.

So good people ... I don't know ... my friend may not be willing to let Malcolm go. I will have to talk with him and see.:19:

in the situation of the animal being stuck in the cage all day possibly not being fed it counts as animal abuse. I would inform your friend that either they have to step up and care for him, you need to take it, or you will be forced to call animal welfare to take the bird away. It sounds like they don't care about the bird, only the monetary value which is disgusting. Now I will say that your friend and their partner both need a slap of reality. They clearly don't care about their animals, they don't care about themselves and they don't care about anything. I'd give them 2 weeks tops to come to their decision on what they're doing. If no decision is made then you call animal welfare

 

[spirittoo]

My friends love animals ... my friend's partners feeds stay cats ... gives them shelter during the winter months. He catches the cats takes them in to be fixed then releases them. They do care ... it's just the alcohol and my friend refusing to face his problem of feeling overwhelm is an issue.

I will do what I can to help Malcolm. I doubt that animal welfare would consider Malcolm abused since he is in pretty good health. Not to mention my friend's partner is my best friend and I wouldn't want to call animal welfare on them.:23:

 

[Katu]

It sounds like maybe you did get an answer. Since he mentioned $1500, I think that is what it will take to free the bird. It may take more than that, if his cage comes too. I would be working on that, either negotiating the price, or paying the price if you want to take on this bird. I don't think threats are the answer. Cold hard cash might be, unfortunately or fortunately, depending how you look at it.

 

[Cas27]

Hi, I would listen too LordTriggs get him to a bird rescue where they know how too treat him imediatley. The poor thing needs too get a chance at living a good life.

 

[spirittoo]

I talked with my friend and I think I may be able to get him to let me have Malcolm ... I will let you guys know for sure. I will be going to visit Wednesday ... I plan to spend some time with him ... perhaps sit and read to him. I am going to have to wear leather gloves for a while until we get use to each other. I'm not planning to pick him up or anything, I just don't want to pull my hand away when he test me. What do you recommend I do if he starts screaming to get me to leave? Any ideas to keep his attention?

 

[goalerjones]

When it comes to addictive behaviors, nothing else matters in that life. All else is sacrificed for their "god". So, even though you keep saying your friend is a good person, the addict isn't. Until the addiction is handled, there's no room for anything else in his life. Just be a good friend. Be gentle if you can, but be honest. The life he's living only has room for him, and not the care of a macaw. These animals are advanced pet ownership. You can pour dog or cat food on the floor and as long as they've got water they'll manage. You can't "phone it in" with a macaw.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[spirittoo]

Addiction is a disease like anything else ... just a different form. My friend IS a good person ...he is my hobbit buddy ... I've seen drunks get really mean and unpleasant, Scott is not like that.
I am aware that if I get Malcolm my life will change significantly. I will have to devote a lot of my time to him.

So what kind of advice can you give on my up coming visit?