Newly Adopted Red Front Macaw-Cage Setup Help

[npandora]

Hi Everyone,

Really exciting news!! I recently adopted a red front macaw. She is a DNA tested female and she is 7 years old. She is a very, very sweet bird. It's hard to believe someone would have given her up.

After the tragedy I went through with my bfa being sick 4 months after I bought her and having surgery and passing away, my wonderful vet was able to find me this bird that needed a home.

Even though I just lost my bfa in January I really felt the need to adopt. I felt like I have so much love to give a parrot and I really wanted to help a bird who needed a good, permanent home.

One side note is I spoke to the lady who owns the bird store I purchased my bfa front and I told her everything that happened and her response was "Oh sorry, I hate when that happens". And she actually had the nerve to tell me when I'm ready I can buy another bird from her. I'm working on reporting this bird store as the conditions in the store are disturbing at best and obviously she has no problem selling sick birds.

I actually have a question about setting up my cage properly for my macaw. The cage I have is a large Cal cage. The only strange thing my macaw is doing is not sleeping on a perch. I have three perches in the cage (rope, wood and a nail grooming perch) but, she always sleeps by hanging onto the side of the cage. I'm wondering if maybe it's the perch placement?

If possible can any of you macaw owners out there post a picture of your cage/perch setup? It would be very helpful!

 

[willist]

Without seeing your cage I'm guessing she needs a perch put higher up. My Greenwing sleeps on the highest perch in his cage. Sorry I don't have a picture.

 

[patterson]

Yea my macaw is the same highest perch in cage and highest on his java tree too

 

[npandora]

I tried putting a perch up high in her cage last night but, she still slept by hanging onto the side bars.
Maybe she just needs more time to settle into her new home.

 

[HRH Di]

You said red-front macaw? Congratulations! They are such wonderful birds. It's very normal for them to sleep in unusual places/positions. Our rfm, Miss Jady-Jade McJadie-Pants or just Jade when we're casual, sleeps on a hanging toy in the back corner of her cage. She also sleeps on her back from time to time. She sits n her perches when she's awake and playing or begging me to let her out of her cage.

Next to my CAG, I think RFMs are my favorite birds.

 

[npandora]

Wow sleeping on a hanging toy, crazy. Glad to hear this is normal. Theres not a lot of info out there on red fronts. I feel very lucky to have this bird in my life. Shes a really sweet bird and very funny.

 

[Lesleybird]

Hi, You need to get your bird a corner shelf and place it high in a corner she likes to sleep in. This is an example of one:
Bird Cage Rest Shelf I have one similar to this in my umbrella's cage. She likes to sit there sometimes and rest during the day. Look for something like these. There are several companies that make similar ones. Lesley

 

[Parrot Parent]

maybe she needs more room for her tail in the back? Sorry I dont own any macaws but birds like to be high in the cage and have room for their tails. I place my sun conures happy hut near the middle section of the left side of his cage so he has plenty room on both sides for his tail AND it hangs from the top of the cage so he loves it!

 

[JJones1719]

I own a 2 Year Old Green Wing Macaw who too will place one foot onto the perch and the other hold onto the side of his cage. After watching him for a while I noticed one night while sleeping, he lost his balance and fell to the bottom of the cage. I believe he holds onto the side to prevent him from falling again. Has your Macaw fell whiel asleep. Joe

 

[npandora]

she hasn't ever fallen from the perch since I have had her but, she is 7 years old. Maybe she did in her previous home.