New hahns macaw with problems

[Countrygirl]

Just got a 3 yr old male hahns macaw. Need some advice.
I knew he was a biter before I got him, and needed work but his behavior isnt like any I've delt with.
Only got a brief history. His owner died and a relative got him, no timeline on that.
Relative ended up so afraid of him that he wasn't let out of the cage for several weeks.
I got him 2 days ago.
First day just fed treats thru the bars. He has no fear but tried to bite every time.
Day 2 tried to get him to step on my arm. No deal. He came out on his own and made his way to my shoulder, he watched me cook breakfast no problem. I sat down to eat and quick as lightening he flipped down toward my face tried to eat food from my mouth got mad and bit my lips twice. Hard! Then he jumped away really fast.
I'm not sure what to do. I'm sure he is frustrated by my lack of proper response to his chatter. Possibly hormonal. Either molting or plucking. Owner said molt, looks like plucking to me.
Sorry is so long
Any help appreciated

 

[Jen5200]

Thanks for taking this guy in, sounds like he needs someone like you who is willing to work with him! I don’t have big birds, but I am a regular volunteer at a rescue with mostly bigger birds so I’ll just attach a few threads that I have found useful. I’d also recommend a vet visit with an avian vet, to get an expert opinion on the plucking/molting - if a bird is uncomfortable with a health issue, it can contribute to unpredictable behavior.

http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/54250-amazon-body-language.html
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
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/63988-bite-pressure-training.html

 

[bug_n_flock]

Well.



Did you share breakfast with him? Or just expect him to sit on your shoulder polite as you please while you ate? Even my 17 and a half year old best friend since we both were young cockatiel would bite me if I was ignoring him at mealtime.


It sounds like you are off to a good start. 2 days is not long at all. I adopted Freedom, my B&G, about 6 months ago now. There is very much an adjustment period with birds and each starts out at their own place. I have still never had Freedom step up on my arm. I have not "held" her outside of the cage at all, unless you count her stepping onto a dowel in the first few days after we brought her home. That said, I have also not been bitten by her. Not even once. No skin broken, no bruising, no pinching. Only beak-skin contact since she has been here has been beak rubbing, and treat handing. Positive interactions all the way. ETA: ah wait, once I pushed it too far when she was new in the house and she bit my pants and pinched the leg underneath if I remember right, but not a "bite" bite imo.



Each bird takes their own path, though. When Freedom first came home she was friendly but shy. Then she hit a point where I think she realized she had been rehomed again(we are at least home #4), she regressed. She got angry, lungy, aggressive and standoffish. Screaming, the whole 9. No longer would she let me scratch her thru the bars or anything like that.



More recently she has calmed back down. I think this is closer to her "real" personality, but she is still settling in! It is very important to realize that there is an adjustment period. These birds are very very smart and emotional. It is like adopting a child rather than an infant... there will be settling in and very likely acting out and boundry testing.



Freedom is to the point I can pet her all over when in her cage. Anywhere, whatever. She doesn't try to fake me out any more and get me to pet her and then snap at me or anything like that. She still doesn't want to step up out of the cage or anything like that, but we are working on it. I don't want to push too far too fast and get bitten. A bite is something best avoided, and not just for the pain and the trust issues it may bring. But that is my opinion and I don't claim to be an expert.



Freedom is easy to live with. We have a routine, she gets LOTS of love and affection, she has human company and many "pet" budgies. She gets out of the cage(she is perfectling willing to "get on her perch" for treats, so going back in the cage time is never difficult.



Anyway, sorry. I could talk about Freedom all day. She is an incredible bird.



But it does sound like you are on the right track. Keep being a positive presense in your bird's daily life, and I'm sure he will come around..




Just don't forget to share at mealtimes.


And remember that often after the rehoming "honeymoon period" a "terrible two's" tantrum season may start. But it is a phase, a reaction to the heartache of being "abandoned".



Thank you for adopting. "Previously loved birds" can make some of the best bird friends out there!

 

[Laurasea]

Thank you for taking in a rehoming parrot!!!! The poor things have been through stuff we may never know.

Under the Amazon forum ( yes I know you have a macaw . ) At the top is a blue sticky thread by Sailboat, called I live Amazon , an ongoing journey. Sailboat brescues Amazon's, and he deals with parrots that have shut down emotionally, are cage bound ECT...I found a lot of info that helped me with my rescue Quaker Penny

I'm also going to link some articles I like and have found helpful, or good to review
https://blogpamelaclarkonline.com/2018/06/19/teaching-a-fearful-parrot-to-step-up/

https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/

https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/bird-behavior/

 

[Flboy]

You are off to a great start!
Major oops not sharing breakfast! You let this new guest help make the meal and then didn’t share! I would have bit you too!
Read all things Birdman666!

One correction! He is terrified! He has to show a strong front!

 

[Countrygirl]

Thanks for all the great advice. I should have mentioned his former owner had him on lockdown for face attacks in particular. It was a bad idea for me to even have him out while eating.
Yesterday I offered my back to him and he climbed on and hung out with me for a whole hour!
It will be a while before we eat together and it will probably take a while before he trusts my hands.
The day I can scratch his sweet little head will be a headliner day!

 

[wrench13]

Scared and likely starting or going thru puberty. Patience. Even my Salty, who was a very mellow amazon got a bit bitey. And he still gets nippy during a heavy molt. Your bet best is to try and not teach him new negative behaviour.

 

[itzjbean]

Two days is not enough time to let him adjust to a new surrounding, new owner, new foods, new everything.

Back up and give him some space. Let him settle. Let him breathe. Don't push him to do ANYTHING for at least another week or two. Trust is earned over time, and it won't happen in two days.

Earning trust often take MONTHS or YEARS! Expecting it in days is a little naïve...

Just let him settle in. Let him see how the new routine is. Don't approach him too suddenly, give him space to get used to the new place and to you. You can't force it, so take a step back and let him come to you. Remember that only good things happen when you are around, and let him know that by not pushing him to do things like step up right away.