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[Brisch]

I work for an exotic bird rescue/rehab society. These 2 just came into our program. The female (Cozzy ) is 45 years old, has a crooked bottom beak and cataracts in on eye, starting in the other. The male ( Blue) is around the same age, in perfect condition aside from tattered feathers from the cage being badly set up.

They have been together for more then 30 years. There owner bought them at the auction 30 years ago, but 5 years ago he passed away. His family just wanted to put them back up for auction. The daughter in law refused to let that happen, so she has had them for the past 5-6 years.

Recently she decided, in the best interest of the birds, she needed to find a better home for them. She looked long and hard, after one "rescue" said they would only take the male (because he is in perfect condition and they could sell him no problem for the $1500 dollar adoption fee) which would separate them, she came to us.

I dont think they have ever been clipped, which I am not ok with, and she stopped taking them to the vet to have their beaks and nails done when her vet more the double the charge to $80 a bird. Which to me isnt bad, but each to there own.

So, this is all pretty new to me, I have handled Blue and Gold macaws before but I have never cared for one full time. Any advice or helpful tips would be great. Please keep the conversation constructive.

This last one is the macaw I worked with previously. Miserable bird even the owner wouldnt handle

 

[Selph85]

They look fairly health considering age, minus the above mentioned cataracts with the female. Though i'd have them looked over by a vet.

What diet are they on currently?

How readily will they socialize with people? (ie, step up, let you preen them, interact, touch)

As a baseline without knowing much about them as individuals, its going to be extremely important that they get socialization and enrichment. Being paired, they may never fully accept a bond to a person, but could be willing to deal with the interaction. My mac is an extreme chewer, so giving them plenty of things they can explore and destroy is great way to keep them entertained. 2x4 wood is cheap, but doesn't last long to a macaw. I've found sponge toys last a while, but dont offer beak health properties of harder woods. My mac really enjoys shredding coconuts, which are fairly cheap, they can be hollowed out, filled with paper and nuts/treats and other interesting textures.

For diet, variety is key. Pellets with high fat nuts is best. Though if they are on a seed based diet, conversion to a pellet diet can be difficult. Macadamia, Walnut, pine, brazil are a few examples of high fat nuts that are good for them. Other bird species don't require the amount of dietary fat macs do.

Fresh food is great for them. General Rule of thumb: if its good for you, its good for them. A few exceptions exist. But green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, peas, corn tiny amounts of cheese(half a cube is more than enough), banana, apple, mango, papaya, melon, etc. If you're feeling adventurous, hang a cantalope on a chain for them. Its a toy/treat 2 in 1 combo. Warning: its messy.

PROTIEN. They eat bugs in the wild. Protein is great for them. Mine love chicken, bone and all, the marrow is great for them.

Make Corn bread, double the called for egg amount (shell included), add a pack of frozen mixed vegetables(no muchrooms), cube it into small portions, serve cool, freeze extra amounts for later, makes a great treat/meal for them. its cheap, it goes a long way, and they love it.

I give mine bathes once to twice a week, more so during molts. Experiment and see what they like, misting vs baths, vs showers.

I don't know if i answered anything you were looking for, but If you have a more directed question, i'd love to help if i can!

 

[Terry57]

I am shocked that the other "supposed" rescue only wanted the male. Sounds more like flippers masquerading as a rescue
I am so glad they are where they can stay together and be cared for properly.
They are both beautiful, and I can't wait to see them in a few months after being in a proper cage set up.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Many congrats on your most beautiful additions!! They are both GREAT looking birds.

I know big macs form a very strong bond, so how are these two acting towards you? Is the male protective over the female?

So happy they've gone home with you!! I know they will be well loved and taken care of.

 

[Birdman666]

I am shocked that the other "supposed" rescue only wanted the male. Sounds more like flippers masquerading as a rescue

Sadly, I think there are more of those out there these days, than there are legitimate rescues...

 

[Birdman666]

Yeah.

That's been my experience with those "miserable macaws" as well...
Under the chin birds when someone bothers to take them out and work with them!

He looks like a feathered buzz saw alright!

 

[Brisch]

Unfortunately without naming names on the rescue, this is what they do. They take birds they think will be easy to charge their $1500 macaw adoption fee, and you dont actually own the bird.

The female will step up once in a while, they are supposedly stick trained but the male wont step up no matter what. They try to avoid me when out of the cage by moving around the top to be as far away from me as possible.

As for diet, they eat a lot of peanuts and cheap walmart food, which I will slowly ween them off of. I have been giving them walnuts, but I dont think they have ever been given a hard nut in shell, so I have to crack them for them. The male will eat almost any fruit or veggies I give him, the female will not. But the male does then feed the female so I know she is getting it indirectly. I have also started giving them hard boiled egg and they seem to eat that no problem.

They do NOT like baths, I have a pump mister with a very fine mist. I point it straight up so it gently falls on them and they scream and try to hide. They do have a mucky smell, which I did notice on Samson, the other macaw I handle, but theirs is strong. We will have to work on the bathing.

The female is more protective of the "male" then he is of anything else, he tends to do his own thing and then feeds her once in a while. She picks fights with him once in a while. I will let you know they have not been DNA tested as of yet, I will do it once they settle in a little more and I clip their wings. Sorry but I strongly disagree with flighted domestic parrots. The female did let one of my friend pick her up but she hasnt let me yet, I wont push her. I know the way to their heart is food

 

[Selph85]

Unfortunately without naming names....

They are older so it'll take some time, and they seem to be bonded, which will make it even more difficult. It is fantastic that the male is accepting of new food sources and is feeding the female. That'll make a diet conversion a bit easier. Once the female realizes the male trusts the food source, she'll hop on board soon enough.

Socialization is gonna be tough, they are gonna defend each other from any perceived threats. I'd try moving them into separate areas, away from the cage and their stuff while you work with them. They guys are big-brave-territorial "defenders" on or around the things they perceive as "theirs". Moving them into a new location while you work with them would likely make a significant difference.

The cheap wal-mart food, they need to come off of that completely. It likely lacks essential amounts of vitamins they need, which could cause liver or kidney failure suddenly. The peanuts are ok, but its essentially junk food. If they aren't breaking hard shell nuts, they likely dont know how or less likely haven't had enough exercise with thier jaw muscles, which is sad. My B&G can break a walnut, but just won't, so i break them for him. Pecans are a bit "softer" than walnuts, maybe try some of those.

Introduce some wood and crunchable toys they can work those beaks with. Harder woods will last longer. My B&G is a super chewer, so anything with 2x4 on it only last about 2 days if we are lucky, though you can get scrap non-treated 2x4 from lumber yards cheap and prepare custom toys.

For baths, i've seen two types really, birds that love it and birds that hate it. I wouldn't even try misting until some kind of bond is formed, they will associate the sudden "OMG, what is that!?" with you or whoever washes them, and it'll disrupt any bond forming. If there is a way to move the cage outside on a day when it sprinkles, and it isn't cold, they might tolerate this better.

Sounds like things are going in the right direction, its just gonna be a challenge, don't get frustrated with them. Any progress at this point is a giant step. Its all about positive interactions, and rewarding what they really like. If you find a food they really like, peanuts for example, you can use these to reward progress. Just give them half of a halved nut, unshelled so they have to work to get more. Good luck!

 

[Brisch]

I am having a chainlink out door enclosure built for my African Serval, it will be built with the birds in mind as well, I want them to be outside when its nice as much as they can. Natural vitamin D cant hurt anyone. They dont seem overly territorial of the cage or each other, just overly cautious of me, I dont think they have been handled much. They dont get into aggressive stance though, so far they arent frustrating me, but it will take time and hopefully soon they will trust a little more.

 

[Selph85]

They sounds like very even keeled birds, which is a good thing. They are completely opposed, just unsure at this point. It'll happen, with time. Sounds like you have a better grasp on the situation than you think, which is great for them! Best of luck!