Terribly neglected macaw

[wild34]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. My name is Maria. Let me preface by saying that my expertise lies in mammalian wildlife and birds of prey. So please don't feel bad if you have to talk to me like a 6 year old when explaining the way of exotic birds!

I have acquired/rescued a terribly neglected macaw. He was brought to an animal hospital in a carrier, was then shuffled to a wildlife rehab facility, at which point I took him home with me to provide him a warmer place and one on one interaction.

The history of this bird is fuzzy. He was being fed dog food! As a result, his beak is overgrown and deformed. I'm working on making arrangements to have it looked over and fixed. Despite his deformity, he is eating his zupreme pellets and fresh fruit mix without a problem. He's getting well washed papaya, mangoes, clementines, carrots, apples, bananas, and treats of berries.

He has no band, so I cannto trace him anywhere. He seems like maybe he was socialized at some point. He won't "step up" on my arm, as a matter of fact, he either runs away or tries to nip. He will let me rub on his beak for a few seconds before trying to nip. He's extremely quiet but that may be because he watches me or my pet rats all day.

So... my questions:
How can I gain his trust enough that he would let me take him out of his cage? I keep the door open when I'm home in case he decides to wander
I give him 1/2 a cup of the pellet mix and 3/4 cup of fruit, is that enough?
Will his previous nutritional defecit have a permanent effect on his beak?
I've bought him toys that he enjoys playing with, how else can I stimulate him and bond with him?

I do not plan on keeping this bird. The rehab facility and I are trying to network to find an experienced exotic bird handler. Unfortunately, I live in an area that those kind of people are very far and few in between (People here believe cats and dogs live outside in 115 degree weather, enough said). He will stay with me until we find someone. He will absolutely not just go to anyone with a few bucks and a cage.

Thanks!

Oh, the reason I think he was socialized is because he readily accepts treats from my hand.

 

[Spiritbird]

Welcome Maria. There will be many people here with knowledge of Macaws. They are highly intellegent birds that bond for life and need lots of stimulation and space. Once you do gain the trust of this bird it will be very traumatic for him to be taken to another place again. Some of your questions should be directed to an avain vet such as the one about his beak. Bonding with a bird such as this will take a long time and lots of patience. Just being with the bird in the same room, talking, singing or even being silent can gain points. Watch the eye contact with him. No too direct in the beginning. Try to find out what treats he likes such as walnuts and keep those in your hands when you are near to offer him. Playing some nice bird music in the background may sooth him. To the diet you can add all the nuts except peanuts, grains, brown rice, pasta, cereals, quinoa, oatmeal as a pm snack they will like, hard cooked eggs, well cooked chickenk, a litle yogurt, almond butter on whole grain toast, kale, carrots, sweet potatoes, summer and winter squashes, broccoli and so on. There are some foods that are toxic like avacodos, apple seeds, choc., caffine. You can get a complete list on the web. Pay attention to the birds environment. No telfon cookware, candles or plug in, sprays or cigarette smoke. You will be putting alot of work in him and may want to keep him yourself.

If the you take him to an avain vet and get labs drawn that will tell you what him intake should be. More calcium? Often times with poor diets there will be deficits or even organ damage.
http://www.avianweb.com/macawsinfo.htm

 

[wild34]

His pellet mix came with peanuts. I've taken all of those out and have just given him one peanut in the morning as a "good morning" type of thing. Should I discontinue that or just do it very rarely?

Thanks for the tip about apple seeds and avocados!

He will be in to see a vet but this area has only one essentially, and she's hard to come by. We're working on it!

Thanks for the resource, too. I'm learning a great deal here.

 

[greycloud]

Welcome and good for you helping this poor bird. His beak overgrowth is probably due to nutritional deficiency and maybe even liver problems. A full vet check by an avian vet is called for. Where are you located?
Macaws are great birds with a lot of attitude. It will take time for him to trust you. Try just spending time talking with him, reading to him and sitting by him. Drop treats in his bowl and walk away. This way it proves to him you expect nothing from him. Start to leave his cage open for short periods and then extend it. In time he will come out. He is afraid being in a new place, new sounds, new people. He does not have trust yet, let alone a bond. This comes with patience and time.
Let me know if you need help or have questions. I foster for a rescue here in MD and my dear friend runs a large rescue that specializes in macaws and Toos.

 

[wild34]

I'm in Southern Illinois.

I do keep his cage open when I'm home. Just this morning he peaked his head out and than quickly went back to his perch. Seems like he enjoys my music, I catch him doing a little dancing

 

[MikeyTN]

That's absolutely horrible thing to do to a macaw! I love my macaw, he's my baby!!! He came to me from day one. I got him from a older couple that can no longer care for him. I bought him a huge cage and thought about going with a even bigger one. His existing cage is 5ft tall x 4ftx3ft. They're very smart and very kids like birds!!! Its like having a kid in the house everyday for the rest of your life. I thank you for saving this poor macaw from his condition! Since your in Southern IL, your not super far from me. If you have any more questions ask away, I see you already have good replies on it already!

 

[wild34]

Thank you! I quickly learned that they are nothing but feathered two year olds. Thankfully, he doesn't throw tantrums....yet!

He was kind of shuffled into a temporary cage while things settle and adjust. Where is a good place to get a nice cage from in this general area? I'm willing to drive for this guy.

 

[Cowtown]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for taking care of the Macaw.
Do you know his name? if so then call him by his name.
All the adivice the others have provided is great Just a lot of love and patience. It will take time for him to bond especially if he has been mistreated.

Please get him to an avian vet as soon as you can.

 

[marinegordon]

Hi Maria I was wondering if the bird or you was from the Baltimore area I recently acquired a bird with the same issues very quiet except treats won't step up and was fed dog food let me know I might know some more about the owner