New macaw and 1st time avian owner

[dr1124]

Hi all.

I have a few questions regarding the young scarlet macaw that I adopted this past week. I've done a lot of research, just trying to put it all together.

He's 5 months (roundabout) old, wings were clipped before I had met the prior handler. He came from a home with a 7yr old B&G (which was food aggressive) and the owner also did not have enough time to care for him. I went up after him on 11/8. So fastforward to now...

So far, he seems to have taken to me quite well. No real bad behaviors, like biting or excessive crying. Surprisingly not destructive...yet! I decided to go with clicker training, but I started it too hastily (clicking without introducing food rewards). He doesn't cry or make much noise, unless he needs food. That brings me to my first issue:

1) He is still syringe fed.
I understand the concept of weaning a bird onto 'adult diets', but at his age, shouldn't he already be on that? The PO was feeding him those little glass jars of baby food. I chopped up apples, bananas, kiwi, peas, canned soup beans, and nuts together and tried offering it to him. He didn't seem to care at all about it. I also made a little platter of almonds, Goldn'obles pellets, apple chunks, peas, and sunflower seeds; I was trying to see what he would want as a training reward. He ignored everything seemed to have slight interest in the apple chunks...but wouldn't take them. He'd pick them up, then drop them on the floor. I've left this mixed assortment of food in his bowl during the day, later finding it empty...but he won't take anything from me (even if I leave him & it on the floor together). He weighs ~700g, and after syringing this morning, weighed 862g....still wanting more. So I think I should scale him back in the mornings? I heard 10-15% of their weight in CC's was the appropriate amount. I want to start training with him, but he seems to have no food motivation. I took some videos, with my squeaky voice, of the situation with him eating MY version of "baby food" (the above mixture, ran through a food processor). I'll provide links to them at the end.

2) He's a climber.
He constantly tries to climb onto the shoulder from the hand/floor/wherever. This wasn't allowed where he came from, so I'm trying to stop it before it becomes a real problem. He got me once: climbed up onto my shoulder and decided to play with my ear. Nearly scissored it in half. Otherwise, he just bites into clothing (mainly when moving around), often going too deep and getting into my arm. He comes onto my hand of his own accord when I offer it to him (he follows me around everywhere on the floor), but doesn't want to stay there most of the time. And he won't stay on the floor either. When I come in the room, he tries to fly off the tree (think bellyflop at the pool, onto a wood floor) and walks over to me. I have to circle the room as to avoid him climbing me like Everest.

3) "Play"
How do you play with a bird like him? I wanted to train him to come to me, so that I can take him outside and let him fly around the yard (on a semi-stretchy tether)...but unfortunately the PO clipped his wings. She said he originally was flying around the house okay, but she decided to do it because she had like 20ft ceilings (with fans and shelves) and hated getting out the ladder to chase him down before she had to leave for work. I live in a large ranch house; not a problem for me. So as to playing, he currently has an entire room of the house just to himself. I put some toys in his tree, but I don't see or hear him ever interacting with them. And besides, I want to play with him myself! I already assume that playing with them such as a dog is not quite appropriate...so I need advice on this.

Sorry if this is the wrong subforum or anything (feel free to relocate it). I didn't know quite where to put it. I'll enclose some pictures of him and his area. Thanks in advance for replies and all advice; I appreciate it!

[ame=http://youtu.be/QI4hYp3b1-A]Macaw Help (pt.1) - YouTube[/ame]
[ame=http://youtu.be/pfRtuNmVNHQ]Macaw Help (pt. 2) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Birdman666]

Welcome. He's beautiful.

First order of business is bite pressure training. And somewhere there is a whole list of other "introduction to macaws" posts we give first time owners around here. I'll try and find the link.

Found it:

http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/49099-what-your-tips-first-time-macaw-owner.html

That should get you started!

 

[dr1124]

Thanks Birdman. I will proceed to review that, though it will take a vast amount of time I imagine.

One common theme I have noticed however: is it bad to keep my bird freely (in a room, without a cage)? I didn't want to cage him, as I thought that would be detrimental to his mental health and also physical development. I understand that he likely will be destructive after puberty, but is it a bad thing to not have him caged?

 

[Birdman666]

Thanks Birdman. I will proceed to review that, though it will take a vast amount of time I imagine.

One common theme I have noticed however: is it bad to keep my bird freely (in a room, without a cage)? I didn't want to cage him, as I thought that would be detrimental to his mental health and also physical development. I understand that he likely will be destructive after puberty, but is it a bad thing to not have him caged?

I have five birds that are out 24/7. And mine have things that interest and occupy them so that they don't become interested and occupied with other things, like my furniture...

You'll probably want a bigger and more elaborate playstand if your bird is going to be out 24/7.

The thing about cages though, is it can also be "the nest." If the cage door is open, and he can come and go as he pleases, same difference. Then on those occasions when you need to cage him. (Cleaning day at my place.) You can.

One thing you should know about Scarlet's is that they are pretty much the beakiest of the macaws... so bite pressure train this bird NOW! Because a few months from now, it's going to be A LOT more painful to start that training.

Scarlets also require a bit more socialization to prevent them from "expressing themselves" with their beak around strangers...

So those things are key, and this bird is the right age to start that training.

 

[dr1124]

Well, for socializing, I took him to the museum today. He got to interact with a few new people. Is that kind of thing sufficient? He wasn't beaky or even anything all day. Though he did poop like 15 times... All over everything....but he let random strangers (including a very nervous 13yr old) pet and interact with him.

I have the java tree, and if needed I'll build him a gym to mess with. Today was hard, because while we were at the museum, he started doing the hungry wing tick. I didn't have a syringe or liquid food to feed him. I had a bag of seeds and nuts, but he wouldn't have anything to do with any of it. So he was pretty much wing ticking for 4 hours straight. I don't know if that possibly was a negative interaction point (in his mind) between him in the other people he met today. That's why I have to figure this out! I have to start training him! I want to.

 

[kendrafitz]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Your new baby is beautiful!!! Have you named him yet?

Like you, my first bird was a big mac, a Green Wing Macaw. I had no idea of what I was getting into but I wouldn't do it any differently. I found a lot of help through the forums, the store that I got her from and the vet.

Have you taken your new baby for his first well check yet? If not, it is a good idea to go and see an avian vet. They will do a check to make sure all is ok and then will be able to help you with a lot of your concerns.

As I mentioned, I have a GW, which is a larger macaw than a Scarlet. But I know a lot of the larger macs need to be handfed a special bird formula sometimes until they are 6 - 10 months old. They take a long time to wean. The way I knew mine was done is she was more interested in playing with her syringe than actually eating her formula. We went from 3 feelings a day to 2 and then just 1 until she stopped. Always supplemented with fruit/veggies/nuts and her bird food. We use the ultimate blend from Bird Paradise. I think her favorite nuts when she was little were pistachios, cashews and pine nuts. Smaller and easier to get too...super yummy too.

I am not an expert on macaws. I just have one and hopefully you will get a bunch of input from more experienced members. But it does seem from the videos that your baby is a baby. He is showing lots of baby behaviors. Try snuggling him to your chest and giving him scritches. Especially on his head and face. Lots of kisses and snuggles. I was told when they are young and not great flyers they feel more secure close to your body.

As far as games, peek a boo is a huge favorite here. I hold a blanket up in between us and say Rosie, Rosie, where did Rosie go? Then drop the blanket and say peek a boo!! It's amazing how much she loves it. Macaws are very toddler like, and they get great joy from the same big, happy, oohs and ahhs toddlers do.

I can see that you are a really concerned new owner and I think your new guy is very lucky to have you.

Once the feeding thing is settled, things will get much easier.

 

[dr1124]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Your new baby is beautiful!!! Have you named him yet?

Like you, my first bird was a big mac, a Green Wing Macaw. I had no idea of what I was getting into but I wouldn't do it any differently. I found a lot of help through the forums, the store that I got her from and the vet.

Have you taken your new baby for his first well check yet? If not, it is a good idea to go and see an avian vet. They will do a check to make sure all is ok and then will be able to help you with a lot of your concerns.

As I mentioned, I have a GW, which is a larger macaw than a Scarlet. But I know a lot of the larger macs need to be handfed a special bird formula sometimes until they are 6 - 10 months old. They take a long time to wean. The way I knew mine was done is she was more interested in playing with her syringe than actually eating her formula. We went from 3 feelings a day to 2 and then just 1 until she stopped. Always supplemented with fruit/veggies/nuts and her bird food. We use the ultimate blend from Bird Paradise. I think her favorite nuts when she was little were pistachios, cashews and pine nuts. Smaller and easier to get too...super yummy too.

I am not an expert on macaws. I just have one and hopefully you will get a bunch of input from more experienced members. But it does seem from the videos that your baby is a baby. He is showing lots of baby behaviors. Try snuggling him to your chest and giving him scritches. Especially on his head and face. Lots of kisses and snuggles. I was told when they are young and not great flyers they feel more secure close to your body.

As far as games, peek a boo is a huge favorite here. I hold a blanket up in between us and say Rosie, Rosie, where did Rosie go? Then drop the blanket and say peek a boo!! It's amazing how much she loves it. Macaws are very toddler like, and they get great joy from the same big, happy, oohs and ahhs toddlers do.

I can see that you are a really concerned new owner and I think your new guy is very lucky to have you.

Once the feeding thing is settled, things will get much easier.

Thanks for those kind words Kendra! He kind of has a name, kind of not. At the prior home, he was called "big baby" or "baby boy" as the young woman never came to a name she liked....and she knew inside she would be parting with him I think. I like either Maximus or Maximilian [Maxi/Maxi-Boy for short].

I am definitely in for the long haul. I went through most of what Birdman linked, and I think I ended up with the appropriate results. ;-)

That said, I have to admit - I am not afraid of him. He has only actually caused me any pain one time (the ear thing). I handle his beak without fear...but....when he goes all 'car alarm' in my ear, it about knocks me off my feet. I have overly sensitive hearing (odd for a veteran), but it is what it is. I'm trying to deaden my synapses to the noise, so as I can be much smoother when holding him (Instincts make me wanna hit the deck).

I do need to start the bite training though. Nervous territory. I work with my hands for my career; I can't be productive if I'm covered in bandages, ha! So far, I haven't actually let him fully get a finger in his mouth. He doesn't seem to care to do it either; if he did, he only has about 1,234,567,890 chances/day to go for them. I would think letting him bite and pulling away would teach him that biting is a means to an end for him (not quite the goal methinks).

He is doing better now with eating, only getting a syringe in the morning (which I have started using in conjunction with a clicker, as this is now "the treat"). Later on, a teaspoon of the same thing (non-liquefied) at sunset. Whenever I plan to give him something by hand, that will be time for the clicker....though I still click when I have nothing to give [but scritches]! *facepalm*

I gave him a shower just now; I couldn't tell if he liked it or not. If I had to guess, I'd say no. He sat on the shower perch and squawked to high heaven. I took a syringe in with me; I would put him under the water and click, then bring him back out and give him like 3-5cc's (total of 50).

I have been shown the BirdTricks.com "motivational diet" suggestion of withholding/cutting food quantity to promote the birds to listen with anticipation of reward due to hunger...but it doesn't seem to work with him. He just sits there bobbing slowly, and won't interact with anything (training stick) but to step on my hand for a feeding. I also am not sure if he is still growing (currently ~725g), and therefore should not be subjected to these methods. Oh how I wish he could fly! Poor boy falls like a rock when he tries to prevent me from leaving his room. I try to catch him but the floor is faster than I. I bought an Aviator harness+flight line; I want to get him comfortable wearing it so we can go out and about together often. Darn Ohio weather though, it's like 38*F, probably too cold out for extended outings.

I really like the responses on the forum. I do alot of research on anything that interests me. I am going to be spending a myriad amount of time on training with him, but I would be lying if I wasn't slightly impatient/excited to start immediately rather than weeks or so from now...I'm mainly concerned that I'm doing things right as of now, so as to minimize future problem areas and also that I don't have to revisit the same thing twice because I fowled it up (if you see what I did there...) :-D