New green wing-need help with first large bird

[DelilahDeviance]

So first and foremost, this is not my first bird and I did a ton of research. But one of the things that draw us to these beautiful creatures is giving me problems. Their intelligence...that often leads to stubbornness.. Ok so a month ago I rescued a beautiful, plucked 14 year old green wing macaw. She had a lovely personality and had never been *abused* but had been neglected. She has grown some feathers with good cage placement, a clean cage, and new toys she enjoys. I have managed to get her on a pelleted diet with some seed and nuts. She will eat a few veggies if it suits her and if I hold it for her....The whole time... So my questions. How can I help get her converted to chop, beans, fruit, etc.? She is letting her feathers grow in, but continues to mutilate her red chest feathers only-any suggestions taking a bird from bald to beautiful? How can I convince her to step up when she 'just doesn't feel like it' (I have no problem with her except the actual stepping up)? She won't target even though I have followed how to do it exactly and have good success with my other birds. She will turn her head and stretch to target but will not take a single step. I just generally need help...I love her and she is a wonderful bird, but it would make life easier if she would just step up and target.

 

[kendrafitz]

I have a 15 month old GW, Rosie. I cant help with plucking since i have no experience with that.

Rosie does step up for the most part, I think bc she knows it will lead to hanging out on me. All I have to say is want to cuddle? and she stops what she is doing, gets to her poop branch to poop (she won't poop on me unless she is ticked off at me) and then sticks her foot up. When she won't step up, I just put my fingers under her feet and she knows she doesn't have a choice. Not that she doesn't fight me time to time, she is my strong willed, ornery little girl. If the two of you have enough trust, maybe you can try that?

We just started target training and it is working well. I have been giving her cashews which she LOVES. I have only been giving them to her when we train so she is usually super happy to train. Does your bird have a favorite treat? Maybe try that? I haven't been putting the stick more than a few feet away from her. I also have to show her exactly where I am putting it and tap it with my nails. Otherwise she seems unsure of where it is. Could that be an issue for you? I keep wondering if Rosie has.a vision issue bc I often have to reinforce where things are by using sound.

Good luck and i hope you are able to resolve the step up/training issue soon. GW's such sweet birds, even if they are strong willed/ornery little things!

 

[DelilahDeviance]

I have not found anything she likes that she will eat relatively quickly. All her favorites are nuts with the shell. She will only reach- she won't even take a step! She definitely knows where it is-she gives it the stink eye, willing it to magically move closer to her. When she wants to step up she lifts her foot and will say 'hey Erin' or 'STEP UP'. But if she doesn't want to go she won't budge. She won't bite at me, she doesn't even really bluff me anymore, but she hates her feet being touched since her last owner only took her out of the cage to clip her wings and toenails...I appreciate your help. She is wonderful to be a rescue. I got her for free since the lady didn't want her because she didn't want to put in the effort or money to keep her happy. But ultimately she didn't want a bird that plucked. When she got to me all she knew how to eat was seed and takeout Chinese, Hardee's burgers, and egg mcmuffins... She didn't even know what a nut in a shell was! Much less pellets.

 

[DelilahDeviance]

She eats cashews! Yay!!!!!!