Opinion/ advice on beaky baby B&G Macaw.

[Jgibs]

Hello,

I am new to the forum but have lurked for a while.

I am in the process of bringing a baby B&G into my home.
I have found a great supplier and mentor local to me and she has sourced and brought in a (now) 9 week old male.
This is a beautiful little guy. Very active, very alert, huge feet (which makes me wonder if that is indicative of his potential size) and likes to be held.

He arrived just under two weeks ago.

So... he is beaky. I mean he lunges at and bites anything that comes near him. Hands reaching to pick him up. hands reaching to pet, every toy that is put in front of him, other birds, just everything. This isn't just lunging. He will bite and put some serious pressure behind it (not serious pressure every time).

Once I have him in lap or next to me, he will let me pet and scritch. He will climb right up onto my chest and or snuggle in next to my body between my arm. Seems to be his two favorite places to be. As a matter of fact, the more securely he is held, the better his manners.
When I put him on the floor, he stays put and/or will back up to the couch almost as if he is looking to protect his back.

Every other bird, baby and adult, these women have will go to anyone and be passively handled. again, My bird has only been with them 2 weeks but, so have many of the others. I don't question if the issue is the women I'm working with as they are awesome and have only the best of reviews.

So my question is, could this be indicative of a previously not socialized baby? Will he calm down and be more "friendly" over the next few weeks? or, is this a potentially aggressive attitude that will always be there and I'll need to watch out for? Is it a reason for me not to move forward with this, my first large bird, and I should wait for a more passive bird?

I of course want the friendly, easy going, B&G attitude I've experienced with friends B&Gs and that I've read about.


I appreciate your help.

 

[SailBoat]

Welcome to the Parrot Forums!

First, you have a 'BABY' MAC. And, at 9 weeks old, it has some growing to do yet. So, if its current size has you concerned, what is your comfort level going to be at 16 weeks? You have seen and held a fully grown B&G MAC before, right?

I would strongly recommend that you visit the MAC Forum and read the first three Threads with are high-lighted in light blue. You will find it helpful to re-read them multiple times to assure that you let that information become part of you.

Again, welcome!


Edit: Much of what you are seeing is a young Parrot, being a young Parrot.

 

[macawluv]

It sounds like he's pretty young to be so bitey. Do you trust he came from somewhere reputable that fed him frequently enough?

 

[wrench13]

JGibs BGs are to me the best of macaws. I would have one but did not pursue one because they are BIG and need big everything. Cage, toys, holes in clothes. Commitment. And, babies dont stay babies, just like human kids. Just think really, really hard on this, you will have this parrot buddy for 60-70 years. Stay will us no matter what, welcome to the forums, where we have a pandemonium of parrots

I chose the species I did, yellow shoulder Amazon, because he's a smaller 'zon, just right for my size house.

 

[Jgibs]

Welcome to the Parrot Forums!

First, you have a 'BABY' MAC. And, at 9 weeks old, it has some growing to do yet. So, if its current size has you concerned, what is your comfort level going to be at 16 weeks? You have seen and held a fully grown B&G MAC before, right?

I would strongly recommend that you visit the MAC Forum and read the first three Threads with are high-lighted in light blue. You will find it helpful to re-read them multiple times to assure that you let that information become part of you.

Again, welcome!


Edit: Much of what you are seeing is a young Parrot, being a young Parrot.

(Sorry, I meant to quote the second reply as well. I appreciate both).

Thank you for the welcome.

Yes, I'm very comfortable with the size of B&Gs. I have the room, the willingness/ability financially and the willingness emotionally and physically. I appreciate your pointing out some of these things and questioning me as there is no need for another misplaced Macaw. The foot comment was offhanded and really not meant to be the point of my question.

I'm looking for feedback on the personality. I am fine with it being a lack of socialization that can be worked through. I would be concerned to take on my first macaw if what I am describing sounds like something more of an indication of what kind of bird I would have for those 60-70 years.
I chose the B&G for the general behavioral traits of the species ( I understand those are general and in no way guarantees).

 

[SilleIN]

When a bird is growing up, they need to find out what is edible and what is not. They will try to eat almost anything. They don't know their bite pressure either. They also need to learn how to behave.

It sounds like a baby testing boundaries of what's ok and what's not. If the woman, who is handling him now is an experienced mac-person, she will teach the baby, that that is not acceptable behavior.

When are you expecting to get your baby home?