Good morning everyone. My name is Kelly and we sure could use your experience with our new girl "Cloud". First a little background...A year ago this past October I ran across an ad for a Greenwing macaw for sale in Kentucky. I had absolutely no experience with large birds but there was just something about her face that wouldn't leave my mind.I began reading about macaws and behavior and I convinced my husband to go see her. We arrived at a filthy house and were led to a tiny back bedroom. You could smell ammonia in the air from the urine. In the middle of the room was a huge cage with no toys, filthy water and parakeet seed scattered on the floor. Atop of this extremely beat up cage stood the most beautiful creature I had ever seen, "Ruby". She was immediately interested in my husband. She stepped up for him and seemed so at ease with him. I sat back and just watched. He put her back to her cage as we talked with the owner. The aggression this bird showed the owner was incredible. Ruby screamed at her to "Get out"! She lunged at her and continually tried to bite her. But yet she was so at peace with my husband? Anyway I told the lady we needed to talk and would get back to her. We left. I told my husband that even if we couldn't keep her that we were getting her out of that hell zone! We paid the 600.00 ransom and took Ruby home.
For the first couple of months she hated me.She would scream OWWWW and NO MOMMA at the top of her lungs all day long as she slammed her beak up and down the cage bars. She lunged and tried to attack me daily, but she loved my husband and he could hold her. I took several good bites from her back then. She knew I was afraid. One day I stood up to her. We had a back and forth stand off that lasted about 15 minutes. I won. She was all bark and the fun was gone when I showed no fear. Day by day and month by month I earned her trust. She has bonded with me now. She kisses me, climbs down her cage to visit with me, and is so peaceful. She has learned to say I LOVE YOU and BYE PAPA when my husband leaves for work. She is the joy of my life and I would do anything for her. Her health has improved incredibly. She was put on a pellet diet with fresh fruit, veggies etc. I cook for her every day. Her beak is much whiter and smooth, her feathers shine and her tail is full and long. Ruby is sweet now and at peace with us. We believe she is about 8 yrs old.
My husband has always wanted an Umbrella Cockatoo. We have been looking for some time now. We didn't want a baby, too many adults need homes. He has found the one he would love to have. He rname is Cloud. She is a 5 yr old snuggler with a fairly good emotional mind set. Here is where I need your help. How do I form a bond with Cloud without damaging my relationship with Ruby? I dont want her to be jealous but at the same time the new girl needs time, attention, and affection. So, how have you multiple bird owners handled such a situation? We would very much appreciate your advice.
Sincerely,
Keith and Kelly
:red:
For the first couple of months she hated me.She would scream OWWWW and NO MOMMA at the top of her lungs all day long as she slammed her beak up and down the cage bars. She lunged and tried to attack me daily, but she loved my husband and he could hold her. I took several good bites from her back then. She knew I was afraid. One day I stood up to her. We had a back and forth stand off that lasted about 15 minutes. I won. She was all bark and the fun was gone when I showed no fear. Day by day and month by month I earned her trust. She has bonded with me now. She kisses me, climbs down her cage to visit with me, and is so peaceful. She has learned to say I LOVE YOU and BYE PAPA when my husband leaves for work. She is the joy of my life and I would do anything for her. Her health has improved incredibly. She was put on a pellet diet with fresh fruit, veggies etc. I cook for her every day. Her beak is much whiter and smooth, her feathers shine and her tail is full and long. Ruby is sweet now and at peace with us. We believe she is about 8 yrs old.
My husband has always wanted an Umbrella Cockatoo. We have been looking for some time now. We didn't want a baby, too many adults need homes. He has found the one he would love to have. He rname is Cloud. She is a 5 yr old snuggler with a fairly good emotional mind set. Here is where I need your help. How do I form a bond with Cloud without damaging my relationship with Ruby? I dont want her to be jealous but at the same time the new girl needs time, attention, and affection. So, how have you multiple bird owners handled such a situation? We would very much appreciate your advice.
Sincerely,
Keith and Kelly
:red:
