Simba is here!

[BruceV]

My new boy, Simba, got here a little while ago! He's checking things out and testing me already. Here we go!

 

[KeroRocks]

Yay! He's beautiful! Good luck

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh look at the MOST handsome boy Simba!!!!

MANY MANY congrats. Your life will NEVER be the same. Let the adventures begin.

He's got mischief written all over his face.

 

[BruceV]

He's a little scared. But I think we're going to do just fine.

 

[BruceV]

Taking Birdman's advice to keep from getting bit. That beak is slippery! He pulled right out of my fingers.

 

[gizzygirl]

How old is he

 

[BruceV]

How old is he

He's 16, so we're told.

 

[Bossrhino49]

He's awesome!

 

[BruceV]

Thanks! Poor guy is so scared! He sits and shakes, more so if I go to take him out of his cage. I'll just keep talking to him and eventually he'll calm down (I hope).

 

[JerseyWendy]

Yes, Bruce, give Simba lots of time to settle in. He will have to get used to EVERYTHING. New place, new sounds, new smells, new faces....some adjust quicker than others.

How is he reacting while you sweet talk to him?

Have you tried offering a piece of yummies yet?

 

[Birdman666]

Thanks! Poor guy is so scared! He sits and shakes, more so if I go to take him out of his cage. I'll just keep talking to him and eventually he'll calm down (I hope).

Handfeeding treats usually helps. Give it a few days, and he should be fine. Just establish the new routine, and he should go with it...

At age 16, you're already past the hardest ages for macaws, so that's the good news.

This one definitely sounds a bit on the shy side. He isn't taking a defensive posture in any of those two photos, so he's probably just a bit overwhelmed.

 

[BruceV]

I can feed him treats by hand, but if I go to unlatch the cage, he lunges at my fingers. He responds to my gf and a friend of ours who came over a few minutes ago, but he stares at me and rarely un-fluffs. Complete opposite of when we went to meet him.

I did take him out of the travel crate without incident and put him on the perch, but he was shaking so much that I eventually decided to put him in his cage with the toys and perches that he is familiar with. Well, that didn't go as well as I had hoped. I had to get him to step up on to a perch in my hand and halfway to the cage he took off and flew to the top of the cage. Now I'm 5' 7" and the top of the cage is at about the same height. But the perch on top is a good 8" higher. Soooo...got the trusty stepladder out and got up there and he stepped right on to my arm without incident again. Haven't been able to get near him since.

 

[BruceV]

I was able to get him out on his perch and work with the fear factor for a bit. I'd get just out of reach with my hand and when he stopped trying to bite, click! After about 10 minutes or so, I did get him to step up without incident, but he's very protective in his cage still. All in all, not bad for 12 hours in a new home. He's gonna be a good friend.

Do all macaws make snoring sounds?

 

[KeroRocks]

I think you might be rushing him. Give him a few days where you don't take him out of his cage, just talk to him and offer treats through the bars

 

[torrap]

I agree, give him some time to get use to things around him while he is in his cage.
Congrats!!!!!
I have Simba too, but she is a girls and she is an Amazon......

 

[BruceV]

Well, progress with Simba has been somewhat slower than I had hoped, but this week we made some changes and things are moving quicker now. I've been letting him out when I'm home at lunch and every night when I get home for about 2-3 hours. He's really enjoying it, and he has even ventured off the cage on to the couch (I moved the couch closer to the cage). Well today he really rewarded me by not only getting on to the couch, but on to my leg, then the other leg, then eventually on to my hand/arm and then on to his tree. Yes, I was bribing him with Cheez-it's, but only a couple. :54:

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Great !! looks good to me [he will be your best friend congrats]

 

[GaryBV]

Well Bruce Simba is certainly a beauty - good luck with him

 

[kendrafitz]

Yayyy!! So glad to read of your progress with Simba!!

 

[BruceV]

Today his "trick" was to stand there with a foot outstretched, practically begging to step up, then when I get close the foot goes away and the beak comes out. So, like a fool, I called his bluff and got a pretty nice bite out of the deal. He's grounded. No video games for you today mister.