New Macaw Mom Needs Advice

[Rainbow2016]

So I am inheriting a 25 year old Macaw next week. Rainbow's human parents died and I am the only relative willing and able to care for such a bird. I had a Cockatoo years ago but have been bird free for a long time with the exception that I own a Wildlife Sanctuary and I rehabilitate injured carnivores. That being said, I am respectful of the beak and have researched all the other medical and food requirements. My questions are:

I assume the bird will be mourning the loss - how can I help?

The bird was extremely affectionate to owners - how can I get him to like me? He may do so right away? I do not know him/I read the post about the beak and that helped a lot but I want to be sure I do not get hurt and I do not do anything to scare the bird. For example how do I discipline if he bites too hard?

I bought him a TON pf new toys for the transition any other advise for a new mom is appreciated! I want him to love his new family (just me and hubby)

Thanks

Kim

 

[MikeyTN]

Sorry for the loss of your relative...

Macaws do get very attached to their people. The best thing you can do is give them time. Offer treats with your hand. Learn to read their body language as that's very important. It can show you when they're irritated, getting ready to attack, excited, etc.

There's been several threads discussing beak training. I'm not very good at explaining it...lol....but I'm sure Birdman would chime in on this one, he explains it better then I can.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi Kim, welcome to the forums, and my condolences to the loss of your family members.

THANK YOU for taking in Rainbow!

Rainbow will most likely be grieving, yes, and he will also be confused. But since you already know he's quite capable of being affectionate and loving, I believe you have a GREAT chance at forming a good relationship with him as well.

Take it one day at a time. Read as much as you can, and never hesitate to ask on the forums.

 

[sonja]

Hi Kim - Welcome to the forum! You will find tons of great info here.
I'd love to know more about your wildlife rescue!!! What is the name?
Where is it located?

 

[Dopey]

Hi Kim, welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of macaws.
There is a lot of advice on this forum. Search on Birdman666 and many of his threads have to do with training. Somewhere there is one on the beak...but right now I can't find it. (I realize that isn't very helpful but I hope it helps some.)

 

[Rainbow2016]

Thank you all!! I own The Drift Inn Wildlife Sanctuary. Home Page. I am super excited about Rainbow. I am reading like crazy and happy I found this forum. I am sure you will get tons of questions so bear with me�� Merry Christmas to all!! ����������

 

[Birdman666]

You are actually in my neck of the woods, and actually, my Mom and I used to volunteer at the Lindsay Museum, which is a wild life refuge in NorCal. So this stuff is near and dear to my heart....

Perhaps I can grab Maggie, and make a road trip. You're only about an hour from me.

As for grieving macaws, find out what the routine was, and try and approximate that, and handle the bird right away... hope the bird simply transfers the bond from its person to you... Macaws don't do well in isolation. That only makes the grieving worse. Frankly, in some respects it would be easier to just show you...

 

[Rainbow2016]

Birdman I would Love that!! Rainbow will be coming New Years weekend and we live in New Braunfels (our sanctuary is in Winberley) so we are not far at so just tell me how to send you my contact info!!

 

[Birdman666]

Birdman I would Love that!! Rainbow will be coming New Years weekend and we live in New Braunfels (our sanctuary is in Winberley) so we are not far at so just tell me how to send you my contact info!!

I'll PM you.

New Braunfels is even closer. I'm in San Antonio, over by Sea World. I can give you a crash course in Macaw handling 101...

If this bird was handled that much, and was that affectionate, chances are he's already trained. The real trick is to get him to accept new people where he is likely to be upset, confused, and possibly even a little bit angry...

(We obviously want to avoid angry.)

By the way, what kind of macaw is Rainbow, do you know...

Scarlet? Greenwing? What am I dealing with?!

 

[Birdman666]

Okay, so Rainbow is a B&G... which tends to be one of the non-beaky species of macaw. They do tend to be fairly easy to work with.

I'll bring Maggie on Saturday, and I'll try and get there about an hour early, and give you and your husband some "hands on" time with a bird who is (actually bigger) and already pretty well trained. And that way you'll know the macaw handling basics by the time Rainbow arrives.

I'll be there when Rainbow arrives, and we'll see what kind of shape/mood he/she is in after the trip from Houston, and hopefully get him outside the cage and handled right away. And make a plan for what ever training/re-training is needed.

Hopefully that will make for a smooth transition to his/her new home and people. Like I say, if this bird was as bonded, and as affectionate, as you say, he/she is probably already pretty well trained.

 

[Rainbow2016]

Birdman you are the best and I can not wait to meet you and Maggie!! I will text you with an ETA so we can be coordinated. I am super excited!! Kim

 

[denaw]

Now this is Exciting! Please come back and leave follow up and pictures after the meeting...I can't wait to hear how it went

 

[ToMang07]

Pretty damn cool Mark!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Mark, you're the best!! You truly ROCK!!!! :worship2:

 

[Birdman666]

Yeah, well, playing with Macaws on my birthday... keeps me off the street and out of trouble.

We will get this one started off in his new life the right way.

And yeah, we will have to post a few pics, because folks on this board would probably get a little miffed if we didn't...

 

[Flboy]

Yeah, well, playing with Macaws on my birthday... keeps me off the street and out of trouble....

A new year's baby! Always feel a bit cheated, gift wise?

 

[Kalel]

Birdman, I must say that is an amazing thing to do! How cool to have someone with your experience be there to guide someone through owning their first macaw! That's awesome!

 

[Solo]

Have a good birthday Birdman and can't wait to see pics!

 

[Anansi]

Good man, Mark. Giving them hands on experience with Maggie AND working with them once Rainbow arrives will be huge.

It's cool that you're so generous with helping people out.

 

[Jerseyjeff62]

Yeah, well, playing with Macaws on my birthday... keeps me off the street and out of trouble.

We will get this one started off in his new life the right way.

And yeah, we will have to post a few pics, because folks on this board would probably get a little miffed if we didn't...

HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY