Newbie here- Thinking about buying a B&G Macaw, need some advice

[HRH Di]

Since Elvis is so young, this may be a baby bird thing. Jade and Ruby have both done something similar to Elvis' wing fluttering/lifting. We call it "baby wing" and "baby noise".

With them, it's something baby birds to when they're hungry or want attention from a "parront". They'll also do this when they're in a contented/sleepy mood - like a toddler relaxing on a parent's lap. Jade has pretty much out-grown it since she's fast approching her first hatch-day. Ruby's only 5 months old, so I expect her to continue to do it for awhile.

He may continue to do it for several months but with less and less frequency. With our birds, they'll do it even when they're getting attention and being petted.

 

[DAROCK]

Hey HRH ! So baby noise ? I hear ya on that. He does it every night,with 9 seconds intervals. I hope its normal. I hug him,cuddle,give him treats, nothing helps. He does it in the cage sometimes, but most of the time out of the cage,on top of my living room table. How about Jade and Ruby-? I do have bad sleeping habits, so some nights he's up later than the previous night. Could that be the problem -? I do know they need 8-12 hours of sleep.

 

[HRH Di]

Sometimes the more attention they get, the more they do it. With our girls it seems to be a bit of a catch-all behavior...they use it when they're hungry, when they're tired, when they want attention and sometimes, when they're getting attention and content - then it's kind of like purring for a cat. As I said, Jade has almost out grown it. I do remember something about it in Parrots for Dummies, but I don't really remember what it said.

If possible, try to keep Elvis on a solar schedule - making sleep time when it's dark. He'll still take naps during the day. But, like kids, he'll want to stay up with you if you're up later. And since you have a regular job, waking him up in the morning will probably be before the sun comes up, at least part of the year. Our birds go to bed between 8 and 9 - which is usually about the time the sun goes down.

 

[DAROCK]

Hey HRH ! You're right about the attention thing. Its like the more attention I give him,the more he does it. Even more when he's hungry and sleepy. I guess he'll grow out of it like you said. I'm really trying to work on a good sleep schedule for him. I've been really busy at work, and when I get home, I end up staying up late,especially on the weekends. I'm working on a cover for the cage, right now I'm using two sheets, but I need something big and in a dark color

 

[greenbirdsf]

Sorry I posted fast before reading that you had gotten the bird. What I say below still hold true though and my best advice to you now is:

Find a Certified Avian Vet in your area so that you can have your bird checked out and also so you can establish a relationship with them. Your bird should be seen on an annual basis with bloodwork done every two years (if everything else is normal). The vet can also help you with behavior advice, etc. Your bird is going to change as he/she matures. You need to educate yourself about that because a sweet "baby" can grow aggressive and many birds are unfortunately given up because the owners can't cope or don't understand what they are doing to contribute to the problem. I suggest you buy the book Birds for Dummies by Dr. Brian Speer (who is my bird's vet). Parrots in the wild spend all day foraging for food and engaging in social activities with other birds. People don't get this idea and they are surprised when their bird starts self-mutilating or screaming all the time.



This is what I said earlier, before I saw that you had brought the bird home:

I would not advise you to get a parrot if you plan to keep it in the basement and you have a demanding work schedule. A bird needs natural light and stimulation as they are highly intelligent and social creatures that normally live in pairs or in flocks. Birds also live a VERY long time so this is not an pet you should acquire on impulse. If you visit the website of any parrot rescue organization, you will see thousands of birds who had owners that jumped in way too fast and didn't know what they were dealing with.

Macaws can be very loud and they require large cages and lots of activity. Making the jump from a parakeet or budgie to a Macaw is a radical difference. At least if you keep a pair of parakeets, they will have each other for entertainment while you are away working. Parrots have the intellect of a three year old child. Think about leaving a kid in your basement for 10 hours a day, alone. Not a good plan for a bird. Please think long and hard about how much energy and time you will have and if you still are hell bent on getting a parrot, go adopt one from a reputable rescue organization. They will help match you with a bird who will be a good fit.....but NO BASEMENT!! Sorry for the rant, but my bird came to us from someone who just "wanted a parrot" and had no clue what he was getting into. This happens way too often. Maybe think about a cat or fish instead, they are way more independent.

 

[Bobby34231]

Hey GBsf and welcome to the forum, this thread is a few weeks old, many of the same concerns that you have were addressed throughout the thread by other members, some were resolved some are still a work in progress, that being said the bird was purchased and has been in his new home for about two weeks now, so the best we can do now is be as supportive as possible and help DAROCK where and when we can, enjoy your stay

 

[pdrvmr]

I suggest you read several books on Macaws before you make the plunge. The reason I recommend reading up on them is so you can understand them from THEIR perspective. As another poster stated YOU will become the birds "flock", you need to understand this very important element.

 

[Aussie Ben]

I suggest you read several books on Macaws before you make the plunge. The reason I recommend reading up on them is so you can understand them from THEIR perspective. As another poster stated YOU will become the birds "flock", you need to understand this very important element.

If you read the thread you will find that Darock actually acquired a B&G some time back. The birds name is Elvis. I haven't heard from Darock in a while, but last I heard was things were going well.

 

[Streetwise]

A Fantastic read, gave me loads to think about. Elivis is a beautifull bird. I hope all is well. My macaw will have a different segedual to Elvis. The macaw if i continue with the purchase will live at work Mon-Friday. I'm self employed and run a small shop, i'm at work till 7pm most nights with loads of space time on my hands at work.

Darock come back on let us know how its working out..

 

[DAROCK]

Hello everyone, first of all I would like to apologize for not being around on the site for a very long time. I've been through a lot personally and financially since I purchased my baby Blue and Gold Elvis since 8-7-10. As far is Elvis is going,he's great and well loved in the family. I'll try and put up some pics right now. I was wondering if you all think I can get an addition to the family, an African Grey and house him in the same cage as Elvis. I really would like to get Elvis a pal,a buddy,only if its possible

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2742459047696.2154145.1444067631&type=1&l=302d64f975

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Nice pictures , Elvis is cute . I would not take any chances housing any species in his cage. But he could have a neighbor ,someone to chit chat with

 

[DAROCK]

Thank you very much, I'm so happy to be back on this wonderful site Any recommendation on what kind of species I can house with him in that cage ? Thanks

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I know his cage is huge . But its not safe to put another bird in there with him. You will have to get a second cage if you want a 2nd bird

 

[Jtbirds]

I second pinky I never suggest housing large birds together or even things such as conures as it can go over bad. Sometimes there are situations where birds come bonded and oso on and best is to let them together, but I really don't like introducing birds to become bonded unless they came that way time. Now with that said if you have the knowledge of body language and interaction parrot to parrot I will seldomn let my macaws and so on play with each other for a short period of time.

 

[DAROCK]

Oh my,thank you. I guess its a no,I really don't have room for other cage. I thought being the fact that its a large cage,I can add some kind of buddy for him

 

[Jtbirds]

Oh my,thank you. I guess its a no,I really don't have room for other cage. I thought being the fact that its a large cage,I can add some kind of buddy for him

When talking housing two birds I believe is most cases(except the ones mentioned about previously bonded). That you should have a cage with the ability to fly, so more of an aviary or atrium kind of set up so if a argument would flare up one could fly instinctively. Sorry that I'd say no, but it just isn't healthily or safe for them as it could turn into issues for you:s.

 

[DAROCK]

I really appreciate the input, you guys are the expert,and if I happen to purchase a small cage and a buddy for my Blue and Gold,any recommendation for a neighbor. Thanks

 

[psychocircus91]

Man, you're not kidding. it has been a while. Glad to hear your B&G is doing well. I wouldn't recommend getting another bird with the intentions of keeping him in the same cage. It could be very dangerous for the grey to be kept with the already settled in B&G macaw.

 

[Chesphoto]

I think it is great that you are trying to find a pal for your parrot. I'm not an expert, but I do volunteer at two rescue shelters. One doesn't have any parrots sharing a cage. The other has a greenwing and a blue and gold together. These two seem bonded an will only be adopted as a pair.

They also have an outside aviary that has five macaws. A hybrid and a scarlet that seem bonded, a military and a blue and gold that like each other and another scarlet.

While I have no doubt that given the right two macaws and African greys, they could be friends, I don't think that would be the norm... From what I observe, they have such different personalities. It would be like that honours student being placed with the class clown... The odd couple... My guess would be that an AG and a cockatoo would be the real odd couple an AG and a macaw are different enough that sharing a cage is a bad idea.

 

[Turquoise]

Welcome back to the forum DAROCK. Love all your photos of Elvis, he is a gorgeous macaw!!

Like the others previously, I suggest you not put another parrot in the same cage Elvis has. He is already established in it & will have a tendency to defend his domain. I have 2 macaws, an electus & a green cheek conure & none of them can even be on the same play perch together outside of their cages. My two macaws are brothers & right at first they could be together on the play perch. Once one of them, Roscoe began to be dominate over the other one I could not allow it any longer.

I hope you can find room for another cage. It is good for our parrots to have company when you can't be there. My two macaws like knowing the other one is close by & my ekkie girl tries to keep up with them when they are talking & screaming. They all know they are a varied flock even tho they don't live in the same cage together.