need help with rescued green wing

[cmckinzie]

I just recently rescued a green wing that was living in a dog cage that was covered in feces. I got him out and had him bathed, and nails and beak clipped, his feet are slightly deformed so he cant stand on a perch. I have never had a bird before and he is pretty aggressive, how long does it normally take before i can pet him, he lets me rub his beak but thats it. Is there anything i can do to help him cope with a new life with people that will love him. He seems to be eating good and will take oranges and grapes from my hand. how do i get him out of the cage so i can clean it. PLEASE HELP i love him already and dont want to have to give him to a rescue. Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated

 

[Spiritbird]

How long?? It all depends on you and what this bird has been through. It could take a long time. What kind of a cage do you have him in now? There are alterations and platforms you can have in a cage for a disabled bird. Go to the home page and look to the top right side. In the search space type in platforms and you will see a few threads pertaining to this. good luck.

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Platforms For Bird With Twisted Leg

Platforms

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[mtdoramike]

You have got to realize that this bird has been through a lot and trust is something earned and not and not just expected. So in order to earn their trust, you have to put in the time, which can take days, weeks, months and even years.

I wouldn't expect a cuddly bird and with a rescued Greenwing, I'm not sure I would want a cuddly bird. Those beaks can and will do a lot of damage. Macaws will also test you to see if they can scare you. You need to be a bit forceful when dealing with him like stepping up. I would use a stick at first and forcefully tell him to STEP UP and see how that goes.

But first things first, how old is he, how long have you had him, if you leave the cage door open, will he come out of the cage on his own? You also mentioned his feet are deformed, have you had him to a vet for a check up and to see if they can do anything surgically for his feet (yes, this can be expensive, but rescuing a bird isn't cheap and now requires following throug). This is why rescues are a lot of the time better off with rescue centers who have the funds and the time to devote to them.

 

[roxynoodle]

If he can't perch though I don't know if offering him a stick and telling him to step up is going to work? Maybe you could try with a flat piece of wood that he can stand on.

I think it's a good sign that he lets you rub his beak though. Some birds are never actually cuddly. I've had my conure a long time and she is only cuddly on rate occasions. More so as she has gotten older, but nowhere near what my other birds are/have been.

Do you have him in a cage now or is he still in the dog crate? Maybe a dog crate is actually a good cage for a bird that can't perch, provided it's a very large one. Did you see the thread in the Do It Yourself area with the big aviary/primate cages? Something like that would probably be great for a big bird like this who needs a lot of floor space and the prices weren't bad at all compared to the cost of an actual macaw cage. You could add platforms with ramps and have plenty of room in it to do so. Of course they will take up a large amount of space in whatever room you put them in.

 

[roxynoodle]

Here is the thread. Take a look at these as a way to give a big GW plenty of floor space and be able to add platforms:

http://www.parrotforums.com/do-yourself/15794-building-indoor-aviary-ideas-advise-needed-2.html

 

[Safira]

I love greenwings. Feel free to send him my way

The members gave you great advice. I would consult with a veternarian. Since this is your first bird make sure to research the appropriate diet for him. If you rescued him from someone who kept him in a dog crate, I doubt they fed him more then seeds (though who knows!) Sounds like you're starting out good with getting his wings, and nails done, and that he's eating fruit from you

And you can post pictures here. We would love to see pictures.

 

[cmckinzie]

Well i will try to answer all the questions, Yes i did take him to the vet and they said probably nothing they could do. He is 17 and i got him sunday the 26th. Im feeding hem the diet that the bird store recommended with seeds, nuts, fruit and pellets all mixed. He is in a new dog cage and he seems to be ok and i just bought him a large bird cage thats 3x4x4 to give him plenty of room. He definately seems to be calming down a little bit but he sleeps alot, is that normal or could it just be from all the stress lately. I really appreciate all the help, god knows i need it at this point. I didnt want to get a rescue bird for my first one but the story broke my heart and nobody else would take him.

 

[Tarkus]

Hey CM thanks for stepping up and taking care of this bird.

When the vet say nothing he can do does that mean the birds fatally I'll or does he mean he can't do anything to help calm him. It's good that he's eating, you can offer him fruits a vegetables.

They need a lot of sleep. Twelve hours a day so with all he's been thru he may sleep a lot.

If his claws are working even a litte you can try to cover a flat board, maybe 3" wide with carpet. I've had luck doing this as it seems to make them feel more secure. If that works you may want to make a flat perch for his cage the same way.

It's going to take a lot of time and I agree it's good that he lets you touch his beak. Always remember that beak is very powerful.

Thanks again and if there is anything I can help you with please send me a PM.

Be Big,
Alan
(you are already "being big!)

 

[mtdoramike]

I think the vet was referring to the birds feet which I assume are so deformed that he can't perch. I didn't think they could do anything medically for this or at least they couldn't years ago. But I was hoping for some medical break through.

Yes, God Bless you for stepping up and helping this poor bird.

 

[roxynoodle]

My amazon slept a lot the first couple of days he was here. I think it was due to the stress of leaving his long time home.

He might like a couple of 2x4 pieces to stand on.

 

[MollyGreenCheeks]

here is a perch I bought recently from ebay: eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

I can tell you that the ones I received are top quality!

 

[Tarkus]

here is a perch I bought recently from ebay: eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

I can tell you that the ones I received are top quality!

You may want to check that link.......

Be Big,
Alan

 

[roxynoodle]

Ebay links don't seem to work here. When I tried posting one, it went to that same website.

 

[MikeyTN]

When I used to have a disabled bird, I had her in a large aviary where she can roam all over the bottom. Thank you for caring for a special needs parrot!!!

 

[JJones1719]

I agree with the above posts. GW are great climbers and perhaps you can have a platform built using bird safe untreated wood to build it. This will cut down the costs to buy one already built.
make sure his wings are clipped so flight and crashes are not an issue.
To bond with the GW can be an easy task. I have seen some really abused GW who had terrible stories meet up with the right owner and something clicks in the bird and they end up making wonderful Macaws.
in your favor, GW out of the Macaws are very smart, they love to test you to see how far they can get. They thrive on having their owners be the protecter and alfa in the relationship.
To start the bonding process and to gain the trust of your rescue GW, you will have to adjust your schedule and do everything you can around your GW, this means, eat, play, read, watch T.V. even sometimes baths with them.
All of these actions are normal to the GW and love to include you in their schedule as well. Remember Macaws live in flocks so now you are their new flock mate. You must work your way to the alfa level.
Never back down from the GW, stand your ground when asking a task from them. reward them as mush as possible.
Almonds are the best tool to use when training and bonding.
Buy bird safe wood toys for them to chew. GW love to chew and make games up for the GW. Allow him on the floor, wrap up treats in toilet paper rolls and let them rip them apart to find their treats. Games like these are wonderful. you can even hide treats on a platform and encourage them to climb to retrieve them. best of luck and keep us posted on their progress. Thanks Joe

 

[Mike]

Kudoes to you for taking a rescue. It's a shame a rescue was your first bird. I hope the difficulty of having a rescue doesn't turn you away from bird ownership. Remember that the bird is the victim, not you. You're the care giver.

I suggest you try to change your image of a pet bird, from being a companion, who you can handle and interact with, to one of a pretty and interesting "plant" or "fish" (I enjoy my aquarium, but I don't expect the fish to be my cuddly buddies.)

This will allow you to enjoy the bird while the bird goes through its evolution of being a victim pet to being a spoiled pet. Given enough time the bird will unlearn some of its undesireable traits and it will give you a chance to get closer to the bird. Eventually instead of merely being a "plant" type of pet, your bird could become a cuddly pet. In the meantime, get another cuddly pet to satisfy those needs.

 

[clawson]

Way to go for stepping up to a big challenge. My family rescued a GW about 2 months ago. I can tell you that it was scary and I thought we might have made a mistake. It took some time, bruises, a little blood (all from being bitten) but we now have a very happy bird that loves to be picked up, pet, played with and talked to. I had to gain her trust by proving I wasn't going to hurt her and that she had no need to be afraid of me. I had to learn "how to be bitten" and not react negativly to it. If she got my arm I would push gently toward her, if she got my hand or finger I'd roll my finger toward it's bottom beak. It was very important to keep doing what I had started so she would learn to trust that I wasn't trying to hurt her. I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but I think that once you get past the aggression you'll have a whole new bird. Best of luck to you.

 

[Luna]

Hi, I concur with most of the above coments. I only have personal experience with one greenwing. It often takes months or years to change some parrot habits. You apprear to have empathy and that is the best tool in my opinion. If you can safely touch its beak all else will fall in place slowly. After seven years of being held and touched by strangers I am still uncomfortable and caution them not to pet her. If you are cirtain of the sex OK if not have it DNA sexed as that knowledge helps understand the behavours and responses. If I can be of help feal free to ask. D.D.

 

[cmckinzie]

Update: I have had the bird for two weeks now and made great progress. I can now rub all over him, (except for his beak, still doesnt like it) can rub his belly, he lifts his wings and feet and lets me scratch his belly. He started to talk a little and copies my wife constantly, with her laugh and words, he definitely is closer to my wife but im ok with that as long as he is happy. Thanks to all for all the great tips and info, i appreciate it very much. I will post pics soon as i get a chance, Thanks again for all the great tips. Paco thanks you to.

 

[Cliffordsmom]

Aw...that's just great! glad your making progress