Newly acquired handfed GW macaw - need advice on biting!

[KennyDolly]

Hi!

As I previously posted, I had a young handfed GW macaw shipped to me on this past Thursday from a great breeder. They recommended I start handling immediately, well.... I would, but I gave her some time to adjust. She does lunge at the cage as I pass, but I never flinch, even if she beaked me I never pull away, just firmly say "No." She has drew blood approximately 15 times in these past couple days. Nothing that concerned me too much, just little nicks that a baby macaw would eventually learn to control. Called the breeder, said I needed to take her out and spend time. So, I opened the door, she offered her foot, grasped my finger, and I thought all was going to go well!
Then, she pulled in, and took her beak and grabbed my index finger, and bit down so hard that she broke it and I needed over 20 stitches.
Here is where I need help.... how do I stop this behavior? I was looking for a GW for years... couldn't find one anywhere remotely near me. Now I regret (just a little!) having one shipped without meeting her first. I would have her out for hours and hours for play time, but I definitely don't want to lose any digits! One is enough for now lol.

Any advice is certainly welcomed!!

 

[Mattroma]

4 days is a short time, some birds take longer to adjust and fell comfortable in their new surroundings. The travel, vet trip after the accident, she is probable on edge still. Does she accept treats from you? If she does talk to her and offer treats. She needs to feel safe and trusting and right now it sounds like she is unsure of you.
As far as the nics and learning to control them, you need to teach her. Look up bite pressure training, I believe the thread "soon to be a B&G parent" has a good explanation by birdman666.

 

[MonicaMc]

Why is she biting?


Consider target training her from within the cage. This will help keep you from getting bitten if you use a target stick, or item, and you could easy drop a reward (she decides what is rewarding, not you) into a cup inside the cage or use a spoon to deliver the reward.

 

[Lynn57]

Wow, that would be disappointing...although to be expected in a lot of cases. I'm sure no expert as I just got a GW myself. Target training has worked for me for other birds and I would sure think it is worth a try. Myself I would hand feed her as much as possible through the cage and spend lots of time talking to her and having her around you. I would think in a few weeks she will be more receptive of you and feeling a little more comfy. Hopefully then you will be able to have her step up with out getting bit so bad. How old is she exactly?

 

[kendrafitz]

Oh no! I'm so sorry you are both having such a rough time.

I have a 2 year old GW, Rosie. When we first met (she was 2 months), she was headstrong, tough, complained a lot and ornery. I realize now that a lot of it had to do with the fact that I was a complete stranger to her. Although she definitely still has all the same traits at times, she is bonded to me now.

I had the fortune of being able to go to the store daily for 1 1/2 months to bond. Since you didn't have that luxury, you have it a bit rougher.

It sounds like Marigold had a rough time on her way home. All that stress coupled with the fact that you are a stranger to her probably has her on edge, to put it mildly. She may be associating you with that unpleasantness. Could that be why she was scared and bit you so badly? I feel so badly for you both.

You have gotten some great advice. Trying to get her to step up on a stick to get her to her play stand would be great. Then maybe you could just hang near her and chat, do your daily things and bribe her with treats. The positive should soon outweigh any negative feelings she has. She is just a baby and had her world turned upside down. So my guess is with some time and TLC she will become your best friend. Once she settles in and trusts you then bite pressure training should help.

I hope you are both doing well today.

 

[KennyDolly]

Hi all - thanks for the wonderful responses and advice, much appreciated! I am not a "new" macaw owner per say, but my only other one I had 19 years of contact and regular interaction before she became solely mine! Scarlet is definitely an easy going bird, especially in comparison to the playful spunk Marigold has! Although, I wanted a young GW for that, so it's not a let-down

I was sure all this was due to her stressful experience. She CLEARLY wants interaction. She huddles to the corner of the cage closest to me, reaches out, offers feet.... just she bites! I'm not sure if she means it, but it certainly hurts. I skyped with her on numerous occasions to watch her with the breeders, she was easily and freely handled by all the staff there, and I had Skype sessions lasting 1/2 an hour so I know it wasn't just a quick, lucky snippet.

I have been spending at least 3-4 hours in the same room as her, talking to her, giving treats, etc. But as soon as I offer a treat, she puffs up, eyes pinning, and lunges a little towards treat (Finger). But accepts and is happy. Seems receptive to talking. I NEVER flinch, and if she does grab my finger I firmly say "no" and even if she breaks skin waits until she lets go, or I firmly remove her beak with my other hand. I tried to get her to step up onto a perch after my 4th hour in the room, she ran to the other end and got my thumb pretty good lol. She's such a spunky girl! I have a feeling once we bond she will provide me with MANY incredible antics that will keep me laughing. Seems like she's got the personality. She is more beaky and hyper like a Scarlet, and my Scarlet has the personality of a laid-back GW. love it!

However, I will work on bite pressure training. I go to work at about 8, Marigold is usually up by 6, so I get up at 5, get ready for work, and spend 2 hours with her. I get home about 6-7, and then spend at least 3-4 hours with her then going about my stuff. Once she trusts me she will be out of the cage at that time. Scarlet is happy to stay in her large cage or on her play gym, her cage is never closed. And Bomber usually goes to work with me (I work as a substitute teacher right now, Bomber thrives on the attention and loves the kids).

I hope to work with Marigold and soon have her out and ready for a photoshoot for you all! Thanks for the help and I'll keep you updated!

 

[EnglishMuffin]

What a great parront you are! I'm sure Marigold will develop into a really loving and fun creature, but in the meantime while she's adjusting and showing aggression I'm really glad she went to someone who knows how to handle her and won't give up on her, as most probably would have with a broken finger in week one!! Keep up the great work

 

[MonicaMc]

I have been spending at least 3-4 hours in the same room as her, talking to her, giving treats, etc. But as soon as I offer a treat, she puffs up, eyes pinning, and lunges a little towards treat (Finger). But accepts and is happy. Seems receptive to talking. I NEVER flinch, and if she does grab my finger I firmly say "no" and even if she breaks skin waits until she lets go, or I firmly remove her beak with my other hand. I tried to get her to step up onto a perch after my 4th hour in the room, she ran to the other end and got my thumb pretty good lol. She's such a spunky girl! I have a feeling once we bond she will provide me with MANY incredible antics that will keep me laughing. Seems like she's got the personality. She is more beaky and hyper like a Scarlet, and my Scarlet has the personality of a laid-back GW. love it

Here's something to consider. She's biting and lunging as a means to communicate with you. When her eyes pin, her neck feathers ruffle, wide stance, body feathers may expand or get tight... she's telling you to back off. She's not comfortable right now and she's telling you this. As you refuse to "listen" to her, this leads to biting and nipping. If she's avoiding you and nipping or biting, then you need to reevaluate how you are working with her.


If you want to make her comfortable, you need to give her space. Learn to understand her. Learn to read her body language. Then, learn how to communicate with her in a manner that she understands. This can be done via positive reinforcement training. Keep training sessions short. It's ok if they are only 2-3 minutes long! You can do a short training session, then come back in 10, 15 or so minutes and do another short training session! Training is best done prior to meal times when they are hungry.



Here is a video of someone training a greenwing. It doesn't show how the behaviors were trained, but target, aka touch training, is the first behavior shown in the video.



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE9LdslJDOg"]Trick Training Macaw "Kaja" - YouTube[/ame]




And Tab, one of our members here, has done *AMAZING* with her macaw. Tab is a young adult, currently in school, and she has done great with her first parrot, Fargo the B&G macaw! Considering her young age and lack of experience caring for birds previously, many people did not believe she would be a good owner for a macaw. Her videos say otherwise!


https://www.youtube.com/user/MsTab14/videos




I realize you have previous macaw experience so it's not like it's your first rodeo, however, I am asking you to try using training methods based on Positive Reinforcement Training and Applied Behavior Analysis. The science of behavior.

Instead of saying "No", you should learn how to interact differently. Maybe slower. Maybe changing the way you present a behavior or request. Instead of teaching the parrot "what not to do", you look for behaviors *TO* teach, aka what to do! If you don't want her to bite, then teach her to target. Once she understands how to target, you can then teach her to step up without biting and lunging.

The more that desired behaviors are rewarded, the less likely of a chance for undesired behaviors to occur. Parrots will learn what gets them attention, and in doing so, will choose to do those behaviors more frequently.


I just saw Lara Joseph this weekend (Saturday, April 19th), and she is one trainer I have been recommending for years! She has a fantastic blog and great videos!


Lara Joseph | An animal training, behavior, and enrichment specialist.


https://www.youtube.com/user/LaraJosephBirdLover

 

[MikeyTN]

The video above what Monica posted is a great way to target train them! I hope Birdman would see this post soon as I don't explain things very well like he can. But it is important to do beak pressure training! With a new macaw I would carry a training perch with me at all times cause they can and will just bite down. I did that at the beginning with Lola when I received her last summer. I've been nipped by her and draw blood one time because I wasn't paying attention. When training macaw you need full interaction with no distraction such as tv, kids, other animals, etc. While holding the macaw, I would be holding the training perch on the other hand where they can see, at anytime they try to go beak down, I block with the perch. If they're persistent then I would roll my arm and drop them to the floor if you must if they persist to bite, not throw but let them go on the floor by going up then quick jerk to get your arm off underneath. I suggest somewhere where you have carpet floors to do this exercise. He will ask to be picked up, they don't like to be on the floor like that. Another thing you could do is by pushing down their beak with your finger, sometimes they will be stubborn try to get around it. So I hold up my hand straight up then push down on their head with my fingers while my palm is pushing down on their beak. I did this while at the bird fair while people watched me. For a macaw that will bite and draw blood I had him back down in 5 min doing this. Someone was taking my pictures when I did this....lol.....After that I was petting and rubbing him, then I had him on my arms. He was even biting his breeder. They were all surprised when I had him back down. After owning my macaws for many years, I learned how to train them on my own. But just remember to be persistent and consistent, never back down!!! You need to be head of the pack, cause they will try to run you over if you let them.

 

[Mattroma]

Here is a thread where birdman talks about beak pressure training and a few games he plays with his macaws.
http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/37547-soon-b-g-parent-few-questions.html

 

[KennyDolly]

Hi everyone,

Update on Marigold. After spending two days (about 9 hours combined) in Marigold's room, focusing on her, she now stops lunging in about 7 out of 10 approaches. She is much gentler taking treats and no longer pinches or bites with pressure if she gets my finger. She seems overall much more gentle and responsive to me and my wishes.

My main focus has been trust and to cease biting, actual beak pressure I can certainly work on AFTER she doesn't want to rip an appendage off when I near her... lol. She seems to be doing much better. Still has her definite moments, and I can DEFINITELY see how SO many people get into over their heads with a macaw.... after seeing her in the store one may think Macaws are like that all the time! Not so, clearly. Although I knew and expected that, just making a statement

Thanks for the help! :red:

 

[kendrafitz]

Happy to hear that you are making progress! I am certain things will continue to improve as time goes on.

Yes, I agree. Macaws are a HUGE commitment, much more than many anticipate. I think you need to be a certain personality type to be able to share your life with one. But if you have the time, patience and love to give, the rewards are wonderful.

 

[JerseyWendy]

So glad to hear things are improving with Marigold.

I truly believe she was majorly stressed from suddenly being in a new home. Every bird reacts differently when stressed and/or frightened.

Now that Marigold has begun to realize you mean her no harm, I believe you can start building a wonderful relationship.

 

[labell]

Since she is only ten months old it may help to feed her some warm mushy foods from a spoon. If she associates you with yummy comfort food that is always a good thing!

 

[JerseyWendy]

How are things going with Marigold?