Rough early years?

[ydeerod]

So, I know Atlas is just a baby and he's got A LOT to learn still, but I wanted some first hand experience insight on your first few years with your babies so I can really get an idea of what to expect. Do they become less well-behaved for a while when they reach sexual maturity? I'd say, in comparison to what I have read from other people, I feel like Atlas is pretty well-behaved for being so young. I mean, aside from occasional screaming, and diva moments (which I know are pretty normal) he's a good boy. Will this change because of hormones, etc? Also, I have a hard time with getting him to step up on my hands. Even though he does sometimes, I feel like he doesn't feel secure enough to want to stay on them, and I feel like it's because my hands are kinda small. My husband, however, has no problem with getting him to step up. He's even gotten to the point where he doesn't really need to say "step up", all he does it present his hand in front of Atlas and he steps up. Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable with stepping up on my hand? I've watched videos and seen how to best hold my hand and arm for him. It's kinda discouraging because I know that this is hindering my bonding with Atlas :s Anyone have any words of wisdom?

 

[JerseyWendy]

I can't speak of sexual maturity, as my Niko is only 3 years young (today!!) But his behavior HAS changed. He's become VERY confident and can be quite testy at times. He's definitely been going through his terrible twos.

I never let his mood deter me. He knows his "step up" and "step down", and when he wants to bite instead of stepping up/down, I have learned to move my hand/arm in a certain way so that he has no choice but to do as I asked of him. I have NEVER forced anything on him either. He does have his "off" days, and I just live with them. He's never gone an entire day with being ornery, but like I said, he has his "5 minutes".

Perhaps you could try holding your arm close to your body when you hold Atlas. It should give him some sense of security, especially if he feels a bit clumsy still.

 

[Alwese]

When I first got Doogie my Catalina he didn't want to step up either, so I found I would bring my hand up from behind his feet. This would also catch him off guard so I was less likely to be pinched... they do get better about stepping up with time; they are creatures of habit but you always have to remember they are not a dog or a cat, they are a macaw just being a macaw. When Clifford my Scarlet was 2 he was really terrible. Every time I would go out with him I would come back with bleeding ears. Wind would blow him around and my ears were his handles to grab onto. I was responsible for wind and had to be punished! Gradually he accepted wind as part of life and now motorcycles, pelicans flying overhead, big white trucks and other things no longer bother him. He has mellowed in 9 years.

 

[plax]

When Clifford my Scarlet was 2 he was really terrible. Every time I would go out with him I would come back with bleeding ears. Wind would blow him around and my ears were his handles to grab onto. I was responsible for wind and had to be punished!

I'm sure that wasn't very pleasant for you, but I have to say it's hilarious! :32: I'm glad to hear, though, that Clifford finally allowed you to keep your ears intact

 

[JJones1719]

Macaws mature around 5-7 years old depending on the Macaw.
My Neleno is 5 now and started to see slight changes in him. I can tell he wants to be lest alone sometimes and this is fine with me.
It's normal for Macaws to be more vocal in the mornings and when the sun starts to go down.

My Neleno is mostly a one person GW Macaw. I have never had an issue with him stepping up onto me. I got advise from this message board years ago to give him lots of time to be by himself when I first got him home. I beleive this was poor advise as it took forever to get him onto my arm and hand.
I then got advise from a Member here on the board who advised me to reach right into the cage, ask Neleno to step up, press my hand into the lower belly of the Macaws as to get them off balance slightly, if this did not work, just reach in and place my fingers under his toes and pick him up. So this is what I did. Neleno was taken back at first and did not know what was happening but after getting him onto my hand, he was a completely different Macaw, he knew in the moment that I was the new flock leader and looked to me as the alfa, care giver, provider and most important, he now saw me as no threat and the bonding started in an instant.
My bond with Neleno is like no other. I belong to a bird club here in Maryland and see first hand how some owners of Macaws as all spieces have bond and I can truely say that the bond I have with Neleno is much stronger.
I would advise you of the same advise I received, just go for it.
Remember, Macaws do bite hard so watch for body language. Try to pick him up once he is calm and appears to welcome you. Best of luck Joe

 

[ydeerod]

Thanks a lot for the input guys. Every day that goes by Atlas shows a lot of progress. It's very encouraging! He's started trying to talk (even though we're not sure what he's trying to say...sometimes sounds like his name and sometimes sounds like hello) and we're so thrilled about it. When we first got him, we hadn't moved into our own place yet so we were still living at my mother in law's house which was very big and there was always a lot of people and commotion around. I think the reason why he was always so agitated and loud was because of that. Since moving to our new place, he's been much better and happier I think! It's a quieter and smaller space and I think he likes it that way. He hasn't really been moody or loud (aside from a couple of screams). His cage sits in front of a window and we live on the second floor so he loves sitting on his cage and looking out the window. Here's a picture of him I snapped with my phone before he could get a chance to inspect it with his beak

 

[JJones1719]

Atlas is a very handsome B&G. Congrats on the progress you are making with him.
It's true that some Macaws like lots of action and like to be in the middle of whatever is going on in the home, Atlas is like my Neleno who prefers the quiet, calm, and very little drama.lol.

2 things to look for from the picture and advise that you have given. Some Macaws get freaked out when their cage is by a window, the reason being, Macaws are prey animals and if they see a Cat, Hawk or other preditor outside, this can do a lot of damage to them. Macaws do not understand that they are protected behind glass and cage so just a FYI.
2nd, The cage in the picture appears to be pretty small, is this a sleep cage? if not, I would advise you to check out very large King cages and purchase one. You want a cage where the Macaw can open their wings without touching either side of the cage and high enough that their tail does not touch the bottom of the cage. Best of luck and keep up the great work. Joe

 

[JJones1719]

picture of cage for example. Joe

 

[ydeerod]

Thanks Joe. Well I think Atlas doesn't mind the window. He sleeps facing it and has been around a cat and dog, so I think that doesn't phase him. Also, the cage we have is a sleep cage. It's 3'X2'X4'. I'm currently looking for a new cage for him, as we keep him in the cage when we're not home. I have looked on King's cages and found one I think would be suitable, but not sure. Here's the link: Click.

Do you think that one would be roomy enough?

Also found one that is 70" tall, 30.5" deep and 39.5" wide. Does that one sound good? Thanks again

 

[Alwese]

Atlas has stunningly beautiful color; looks like he is really getting proper nutrition. The way "in" to a macaw is to find what he likes and do it. If he likes his belly rubbed, then that's it. Clifford wants his head rubbed. My birds are most vocal about 7:30 to 8:30 at night. One will start hollaring and the others follow suite. Clifford came home with me at 7 months of age and already said his name. It is amazing what they think is fun to say and have very good memories. Clifford liked the word "Mop" and now associates it with drinking out of a cup. He will always say "Mop" when I give him his dilute grape juice to hydrate out in public. Why he picked this word and associated it with drinking I have no idea. Clifford still yells "Get In There" when he hears the sound of a vacuum cleaner. This relates to his early life in the pet store when they would vacuum at the end of the day and want to hurridly close the store. We have never said "Get In There" to him and he is now 9 years old. They are very impressionable at a young age. Choose your words wisely!

 

[JJones1719]

Ydeerod, yes the king cage you attached it perfect, King Cages also make a modle number I beleive it's 506 with cathedrial top, this is what i have for my huge Green Wing and it is plenty of room for him so it will work for you too. Best of luck Joe

 

[triordan]

Also when you have him on your hand do you use your thumb on hold his foot? This will make him feel more secure and won't allow him to climb up your arm~