Not so much a baby anymore..

[Selestine]

I went to see baby yesterday and took hubby along with me (he doesn't usually go -- too busy with school and work), expecting baby to collapse into a little pile of baby feathers in his lap and melt his heart, but he just... exploded with growth over the last week!

He was really a MACAW this week!

Mostly he was very, very interested in flapping his wings and trying out his muscles. I couldn't believe the amount of lift he was generating. I think he probably could have taken off if he hadn't been holding himself down with his feet. I'll be stunned if he isn't actually flying next week.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwgvHjh74kg&feature=youtu.be"]Baby blue and gold macaw flapping his wings - YouTube[/ame]

He was also very interested in exploring hubby's face. I was trying to get a picture of him licking hubby's ear (which was apparently very delicious) but my camera was slow and I got this one instead. He was very gentle, but still -- I think I'll discourage nose exploration for the time being.

After he tuckered himself out with all his flapping and exploring he collapsed into my accustomed pile of mushy feathers.

Here is a picture of him letting me show you his pretty wings.

And here is a picture for you, noblemacaw! I don't know my Amazons very well, so I'm not 100% certain this is the one you wanted..

And a random one for good measure, of the pretty Eclectus girl that hubby couldn't seem to stop picking up. Bet I could talk him into her if I tried

Oh, and for anyone who missed my edit last week.. baby is officially a boy!

 

[thekarens]

Awww look at that big boy! He's adorable and growing fast!

 

[Selestine]

I just couldn't believe it! I mean.. he's not that much physically bigger than last week, but the way he holds himself upright instead of laying on his belly makes him seem so much bigger!

 

[Dinosrawr]

SO CUUTTTEEEE! And congratulations on your official baby boy! I'm so excited for you guys. The progress your little guy has made is just mind blowing - one day they're just a little, naked, awkward little thing and the next they've got all their feathers! I think that's my favourite part though... watching a baby bird grow is just such a great experience.

 

[Selestine]

Ahhh, thanks! Watching him growing has been the most amazing experience. You wouldn't think sitting around staring at a live plucked chicken for 3-4 hours would be fun (okay well, maybe the people on this forum would..), but it is absolutely engrossing.

 

[noblemacaw]

Awww..I love those dark baby eyes. Such a baby face. Does baby recognize you when you visit now? Does he get all excited to see you?

I don't think that was a panama amazon. It is harder for me to tell from the back so I could be wrong.

Thank you for sharing your baby with us.

Do you have a name picked out yet?

Before Valentino came home and was growing up with the breeder she called him Valentino for me so when I went to pick him up I looked into the carrier and he just stared at me but when I said "Hi Valentino welcome home." he began calling to me. It was very cute.

 

[bagiara]

He is going to be a total looker, look at those handsome feathers coming in!

 

[Selestine]

Yes, he definitely recognizes me now! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy he bobs his head when he sees me, until I pick him up. And when hubby was first holding him, he climbed over to me instead until he realized that tall husbands were better for practicing flapping.

Also, here is a clearer picture of the bird I was trying to show you -- I took it off of Dee's website, since I didn't manage to get a good one. The bird was tickling my son something fierce, so all of mine came out really blurry

 

[noblemacaw]

I do believe that is a Panama amazon which is the species I want to wet my amazon experience with. I wish I could move forward with Dee about that beautiful parrot. Thank you for posting a picture of it. Maybe someday I will be able to have one so it would be Valentino, Pan am and I.

Valentino also does the nose and beak thing. What sort of unnerves me is when Valentino grabs the tip of my nose and begins yanking away with a strong feeding response. I have no idea why he thinks my nose is gonna magically squirt formula for him. He is a big boy now and has not been fed formula for a LONG time. I probably have a weird macaw.

Sooooo...what is the baby boy's name?

 

[Selestine]

Well... -something- might squirt out of your nose, but I don't think it is going to be food And someday things will settle in for you and you will get your Amazon!

And I think the baby's name is going to be "He's my baby and I get to name him, so shut up Dan! >.<" But really, we can't decide on a name. I really, really want to name him Vandal and the hubby really, really doesn't like it. He wants to name him Kai, but daughter doesn't like it because her best friend's name is Kyler and she calls him "Ky-Ky".

 

[Birdman666]

Yeah, both my macaws will actually use my nose to turn my head, usually for eye preenings... done with this eyeball, now give me that eyeball.

Ears make convenient "beak holds." And that tongue gets shoved in the earhole at least once a day. That's just a given...

 

[Selestine]

Haha.. yes. He was like.. breathing into my ear and licking it. It tickled SOOOOOO bad.

 

[Anansi]

Wow, I must've missed the thread where you posted about getting a macaw baby! Congratulations, Selestine!

I loved all of the pictures! Thanks for sharing! How old is he, now?

 

[Selestine]

Thank you! He was born May 12th, so he is not quite five months old at this point.

 

[Anansi]

Nice! Must be clise to that time! How many formula feedings is he down to?

 

[Selestine]

Actually, I've never asked. You'd have thought I would want to know that..

 

[Allee]

I can't believe Baby's growth spurt, HE is incredible! You must be thrilled silly and so ready to bring your beautiful boy home. Love the photos and commentary.

 

[Selestine]

I think I probably spend about 50% of my week thinking about him.. he's the best thing ever And thank you!!