Parrot Identification

[wpspec]

Hello everyone. My name is Christina. As I explained in my introduction, for those who haven't seen it, my in-laws rescued a parrot today. We have zero knowledge of birds and in order to learn everything we can about "him", I suppose the first step will be identification of exactly what species "he" is.

This first picture shows accurate colors the best. The colors in the other photos are off due to my spectacular phone camera. =D

Up close & personal with his eyeball.

I would guess his length (from top of head to end of tail feather) to be between 2 and 3 feet, closer to 3.

Eating. I sure do hope the lack of feathers on his chest are natural and from molting, vs stress or medical problems. (Somebody get that bird a shirt!!! I apologize for the nude picture. hehe)

I know that the appropriate thing to do would be to take him to a vet, but, since he's not my bird, I have no control over this.

I hope you guys & gals can help me to correctly identify him. Speaking of "him" how do we tell if the bird is actually a him?

Thanks for any help you can provide for us. I'm anxious to start learning about him, mainly because I know his diet will be crucial to his survival and I'd like to help them get that sorted out as soon as we possibly can.

Again, thank you!!!

 

[Parrotmamma]

He's beautiful ..Looks like a Catalina Macaw to me and you really should persuade them to take him to the vet. DNA testing would tell you if it is a male or female.

 

[Echo]

Hello, I am not experienced with Macaws so I'm not sure what type he is, however, I'm sure a lot of people here will help you determine that from his coloring.

What I can tell you is that he is plucking his chest feathers. It is not from molting....

 

[wpspec]

Wow. I've looked for 2 hours for a bird that looks similar (with the orange beard & everything) and couldn't find a single one. A search for Catalina Macaw brings up tons of pictures that look like him. I'll of course wait and let a few others (hopefully) chime in, but thanks so much Parrotmama. I think we're on to something.

And thank you for the DNA testing info. I just read that a few moments ago. I didn't know you couldn't just flip them over like a dog and take a gander. =D

 

[Echo]

And thank you for the DNA testing info. I just read that a few moments ago. I didn't know you couldn't just flip them over like a dog and take a gander. =D

LOL that would be so great!!!

 

[Doss]

it may be a hybird macaw

 

[Parrotmamma]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Catalina Macaw is a hybrid cross between a Scarlet with a Blue & Gold macaw. [/FONT]

 

[wpspec]

Echo, do you think the plucking is from stress? According to what I was told, he was left alone for quite an extended period of time. Being social (yes, I really have been reading) I'm sure that had a huge impact on him. Poor little thing!!!!

The husband read that if they're happy, they'll poop while standing on one foot. When I went over to talk with him and take his picture, he did just that. I think he likes me. LOL

 

[jaimmorr]

Looks like a Catalina Macaw. He's beautiful, but I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, his naked chest is most likely due to plucking. Plucking can be attributed to many causes, but boredom/stress is usually the most likely. It is crucial to take him to the vet asap to make sure he is healthy. No offense, but why did they get a parrot (such a large, high maintenance one at that) without doing any reading what so ever?

Macaws are very intelligent birds and here is a quick (incomplete) checklist of what you should go out and purchase immediately for his well being:

- Toys (Shreddable toys, wooden toys, foot toys, plastic toys, foraging toys, etc.)
- Perches (They need to be of different widths/lengths and different materials. Sandstone, different natural woods, concrete, rope, etc.)
- Food (High quality pellets such as Roudybush, Harrisons, TOPS, etc. As well as fresh foods, vegetables, fruits, whole grain pasta/lentils, etc.)
- Treats (Nutriberries, palm nuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, etc. Make sure not to give too many of these as they are high in fat. Great for training.)
- Properly sized cage (Not sure if you already have this or not, but a minimum for a Catalina is 36X48X60 inches with around 1inch bar spacing.)
- Properly sized playgym/playstand (Java stands are great, but they are expensive. You could make one yourself out of wood or PVC piping, or purchase one.)
- BOOKS, books, and more books (On Macaws and parrots in general)


Good luck. I would start with getting the Parrots for Dummies book and lots of research here. He needs a good vet visit, lots of love, and a good diet and he should get back on track soon.

 

[wpspec]

Thanks for all of the info jaimmorr. I assumed the plucking was from boredom and being alone.

As to your question about why they got such a big & high maintenance bird, as I said, they rescued him. He was abandoned by a friend's tenant. (Some people should be tied to a tree and spread with honey.) My mother-in-law is constantly looking for something to occupy her time and gets jittery when she's immobile for more than a few minutes. She'll welcome the maintenance and companionship.

I'm sure he'll be well taken care of now and, probably spoiled rotten within the week.

 

[Spiritbird]

Yes Parrots for Dummies is an excellent place to start. The book is a very good reference. Also check in the area where you live for educational events. Bird clubs and rescues sometimes give them. I attend the Phoenix Landing classes. Better yet see if there is a local bird club you can join.

 

[wildwest]

so the tenants just left that bird after they moved??

where do you live? closest city will be fine dont post your address.

 

[KatherineI]

Thanks for all of the info jaimmorr. I assumed the plucking was from boredom and being alone.

As to your question about why they got such a big & high maintenance bird, as I said, they rescued him. He was abandoned by a friend's tenant. (Some people should be tied to a tree and spread with honey.) My mother-in-law is constantly looking for something to occupy her time and gets jittery when she's immobile for more than a few minutes. She'll welcome the maintenance and companionship.

I'm sure he'll be well taken care of now and, probably spoiled rotten within the week.

That is so sad I just heard yesterday from someone that a Catalina was dumped on friends of theirs and they were on their way to look at it and possible take it home to at least foster temporarily (the people didn't know what to do with such a bird).

I must say your description of the tree and honey had me chuckling. I couldn't agree more!! I've had to rehome a bird before, but I never dreamed of just dumping the bird or completely abandoning it. I hope your MIL likes the bird, it could really use some TLC (and toys and perches and good food and lots and lots and lots of attention!). Good luck!!

 

[paulhanlon]

Im not experianced with parrots i just recantlly got my orange winged amazon bobby but im good at the types of species and that is a Catalina Macaw for sure and its best you do have it taken to a vet to be DNA sexed but im guessing its a male such a lovely looking bird aswell i hope you make him or she happy and the same the other way around

 

[wpspec]

Thanks everyone for your help & encouragement!!! It's really appreciated!!!

wildwest, I'm near Champaign Illinois. I don't know EXACTLY what they did as far as moving and leaving the bird. All I know is he was pretty much alone in the house for almost a month. He was apparently fed and watered, but the social interaction and exercise was pretty much obsolete. I think that accounts for the feather plucking that he had been doing, but seems to have stopped.

KatherineI - I'm glad you got a laugh out of that. =D If you've ever seen the movie Cowboy Way, you may've seen a similar scenario. I wanted to write a description of that particular scene, but, this seems to be a family forum. LOL

We learned today that the bird is over 20 years old and the previous owner had him for a year. We also learned his name. When we said Hi to him, using his name, he did the funniest chicken dance, as if to say "Yes! Yes!! That's me!!!" LOL

We've also learned that he does indeed talk. And, his favorite word seems to be a lovely 4 letter word. Last night, I thought I heard one of my kids call out "MOM!!!" and it turns out, it was the bird squawking. Mind you, there is a 2 foot thick, brick wall between myself and the bird. Loud little booger!!!

And........ we've learned that his favorite place to be scratched is the back of his neck. He will turn his head sideways and his eyes roll in his head. His eyes flutter like "ooohhhhh that's the spot!!!!" I laughed so hard the first time I saw him do this that I almost choked to death. I was trying to be quiet so I wouldn't startle him but that sure is hard to do sometimes.

He seems so very happy to be here. He dances when he sees a face and sometimes even on visual and/or verbal command. He is most definitely not being ignored any longer. He has lots of toys and I bought him a few things today (with the help of suggestions from your wonderful forum) that should keep him occupied for .... ohhh.... an hour or so. Hahaa And we're saving "garbage" for him so we can make foraging toys. We're used to saving garbage for our guinea pigs so that's nothing different. They'll just have to learn to share.

Again, I want to thank you all for your help!! You're all wonderful.

 

[Parrotmamma]

That's great that he is doing so well for you. He sounds like a real sweetie and is lucky to have y'all : )

 

[KatherineI]

Sounds amazing! I'm glad this guy is getting the attention he desperately needs. I wonder how many homes hes had and why these last people took him if they were just going to abandon him?

I hope you stick around, this place could be helpful to you and I'm sure a lot of us would love to keep hearing about how he's doing.

 

[wpspec]

Thanks, Parrotmamma.

While things are as exciting as ever next door, it's been pretty quiet in my house for the past few days.
"Hey, sweetie? Where are the kids?"
"Over there talking to the bird."

Hahaaa

And my 11-year-old son has been playing music for him. He dances to hip hop and bobs his head, but apparently does not appreciate country music whatsoever. I told my son to try some Willie Nelson tomorrow. No one can resist Willie. =D

 

[wpspec]

KatherineI, me too!! I don't know if a kid brought the bird home or what. I do know that the guy said he took him outside one day in hopes that he'd fly away. It just makes me sad.

 

[KatherineI]

KatherineI, me too!! I don't know if a kid brought the bird home or what. I do know that the guy said he took him outside one day in hopes that he'd fly away. It just makes me sad.

WOW!! That's unbelievably awful!