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tina
Just hatched
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 46
Location: USA/Michigan |
| a new parrot owner, please help? |
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Hi guys , I am new to this forum and I just purchased a green wing macaw. I am very excited and scared at the same time? The lady that sold him to me never gave him much attention. She lives in a farm, has 5 horses , 4 dogs and 3 cats. This parrot was given to her by her children as a present and she had it for three years. This parrot is four years old and to tell you the truth guys , it looks quite viscious. He bites and is moody, according to his owner. I am bringing him to my house on Monday. I have four little children and I love parrots. Was this a mistake or what? Anyway , I purchased it, and it's too late now. How do I work with this parrot, how do I make it feel welcomed, and how can I make it friendly with people. The lady said that she works seven days a week, and never has time for him, this is why he is mean. Do you think I can change him, if we give him the love. I am scared for my little children as I heard he bites hard and strong |
Sunday August 14, 2005 2:59 am |
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Tia
Fledgeling
Joined: 13 May 2005
Posts: 319
Location: Illinois |
Hi Tina, well first I would suggest researching everything you can get your hands on about this breed of bird. I would give him time to get used to you all by just hanging around his cage...talking to him etc. How does he react to your hand being in his cage? If he is aggressive, I would continue to give him time, alot of time to get used to you. Some birds do get to the point of not liking handling by humans, but do realize it is going to take alot of time so you have to be very very patient. Try giving him treats, he needs to learn that the hand is not going to hurt him and he can trust you. I would definately not trust h im around your lil ones! But I am like that with my birds even tho they are tame...you just never know. Keep us posted. |
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Sunday August 14, 2005 5:49 am |
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tina
Just hatched
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 46
Location: USA/Michigan |
thanks tia, he doesn't like my hand in the cage and he tried to bite. So, I will be patient to see how I am going to deal with this bird. |
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Sunday August 14, 2005 8:48 am |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6673
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Hi Tina! Congrats on your new family member! And I sure hope things work out!
It sounds like you've got your work cut out for you! Sounds like the big little guy needs a LOT of attention. patience & working with. It's too bad once they have become untrusting & not very comfortable with people.
Like Tia says, I would definitely keep the kids out of reach! You're right, those beaks are VERY strong!! And having 2 small grandkids myself, I know it will be hard, but try to keep the kids as hushed & calm as possible for awhile around the bird, until he feels a little safer in his new home.
I wonder if his wings are clipped? If not, people say that having them clipped slightly sometimes helps calm them, you may want to ask an avian vet about that. Do you have any other birds? |
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Sunday August 14, 2005 1:57 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
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Hi Tina,
WOW, a GREEN WING!! What's the little guy's name?? Man I'm just so very jealous!!! I've always wanted a B&G and also a green wing!!! I would love to see some pics!! Pretty please please!!! I'm dying to see some pics!!! LOL... You can tell how much I love those creatures can't ya?!?!? 
Now that I got that bit out... here's what I think might help a little with your new bird.
I guess when you get your bird, it is very very very important for it to settle down in it's new home, in it's new environment to get used to that that's happening around him. One good thing is at least the previous owner was upfront with you and honest about what it is really like. Most people kinda hide the truth so that they can get rid of the bird as soon as possible!!
Take thing slow with him, let him know that you're his friend and not enermy. Sit next to his cage and talk to him. Read him book, whisper to him, talk him up saying things like 'what a beautiful boy etc etc..' Don't force thing on him. He'll learn to trust you over time. Basically just give him lots of love and patience. Let him come to you in the cage while you're outside cooing to him and chatting to him.
How old are your children may I ask?? Most birds do not like hyperactivity around them. The bird will get really worked up and wound up by all that's going on and will not like the source of the disturbance. Try to let your kids know to not be too 'busy' around the bird, be calm around it's cage when it's in thre. I wouldn't trust any young kids with big birds. I think the recommendation for handling big bird is around 15 years old unless strightly supervised. Oh, I'm sure you already thought of it, but little fingers in cage to tease the bird is definitely a no no...
Well I'll have a think some more and see if I can think of something else... I hope I haven't bore ya with all my dribblings.  Take care, and again.. can I see pics please?!?!?!? 
Cheers
Bih |
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Sunday August 14, 2005 2:11 pm |
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tina
Just hatched
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 46
Location: USA/Michigan |
ok, I do have pictures on my digital camera of that parrot,but I do not know how to post them. Anyway, I'll see if my husband knows how to do that. He is really beautiful, in excellent condition and the nice thing about it, I got the cage and the bird(both) for one thousand dollars only. Is that a good deal or what? Anyway, my kids ages are as follows : my oldest is six, the one after that is four, and I have a two and a half and one and a half. Sounds crazy, but my first was a planned pregnancy and the rest weren't (ha ha). Anyway I love them so much, they are my life, and I can't call them a mistake, they are the best thing that ever happened to me. Anyway send me your e-mail address and I know how to send a picture of Taylor(parrot's name), that way. By the way , should I change his name, you think he'll adapt to a new name or what? |
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Sunday August 14, 2005 3:55 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Hi Tina
Sometimes it's good to change a parrot's name but it all depending on it's association with the name. Such as if it comes from a really really bad condition, then it may always associate the name with the old times so to speak... Whereas if you change it's name, it'll learn eventually that it is it's new name, and will respond to it, and will associate that with the new fun loving time. It's up to you what you think would be best for him.
If you like you can send me the pics via email and I can post it for you... or if you like, you can read the following thread of step by step of posting pics on this forum. It may help.
http://www.fluffies.org/en/viewtopic.php?t=627
Otherwise my email is lovemetooz at hotmail dot com
Easier way, just click on the little envelope under any of my post, and it will give you my emails.
Cheers
Bih |
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Sunday August 14, 2005 4:05 pm |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10088
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| Re: a new parrot owner, please help? |
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Hi Tina, welcome to this forum!
A green winged macaw? Wow! Great to hear that you provided him a home..
Does he really bite hard, or is it nipping? (Most macaws won't bite hard)
But even a nip can be quite hard when received one from a macaw!
Are his wings clipped?
Is it trained to step up, or will it bite?
Every parrot can be trained, even when older. I've heard of parrots of around 30 that have been trained to become gentle here.
By the way, on this site there is a possibility to make a homepage & diary to show photos of our beloved avian companions and give them a 'place of their own'
Please follow the link below to find out how! (We love photos here!)
http://www.fluffies.org/en/viewforum.php?f=32
Or, as Bih suggested, you can also show photos following the instructions in that topic..
Hope to see you here often, and I'm sure we can all help you with your green wing. (What's his name by the way?) |
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Monday August 15, 2005 8:51 am |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
Hello Tina and welcome to the forum!! There are a lot of people here who can give you much usefull information on anything about your new baby or should I say toddler
I agree with everyone on letting your new bird get used to all the sounds, new suroundings and people in the house. I think I can safely say 2 weeks adjustment period before you attempt anything. Definately keep your children a safe distance and to not move quickly around the bird. If this seems to be a problem, maybe move your bird to a quieter location. Not a secluded area where no one goes, just a quieter one.
Make sure you research as much as possible, purchase a book that informs you on general care, maintenance and personality. Fluffies is a great location for all kinds of questions and problems that might arrise.
Good Luck and have fun |
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Monday August 15, 2005 12:40 pm |
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tina
Just hatched
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 46
Location: USA/Michigan |
thanks guys for all your support, it really means a lot to me. I am so glad I found this forum. To answer fluffy sue's question, his name is Taylor, and according to the lady he bruises when he bites. I haven't tried his bite yet (haha), and I am not looking forward to it. I am thinking of wearing gloves the first two weeks of dealing with him. Do you think I should take him out of cage , or just wait two weeks like the other fellow forum member said. Anyway I am bringing home later on this evening and I am very scared you guys. I love parrots and I can be very patient with them, but then again I have fours children. we'll see what's going to happen. I hope he adjusts fast and doesn't make me regret buying him. |
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Monday August 15, 2005 1:54 pm |
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tina
Just hatched
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 46
Location: USA/Michigan |
This is for chaquita's mom. You know how you said to keep my kids and the noise away from him, okay, I am willing to do that, but I read somewhere that you need to keep him around where all the action is so he doesn't feel left out. |
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Monday August 15, 2005 1:55 pm |
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tina
Just hatched
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 46
Location: USA/Michigan |
thanks cheeta for giving me the link on how to post a picture, but I am probably not going to know how without my husbands help. Tell you what, I will send individual picture of my parrot via your individual e-mail. If anyone wants to see how Taylor looks like, give me you e-mail. I took pics of him at the lady's house and I would be more than glad to share them |
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Monday August 15, 2005 2:03 pm |
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Chaquita's Mom
Experienced flier
Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 1028
Location: Pennsylvania, USA |
Tina, I just mentioned that for your childrens sake. They're pretty small. I don't mean to put him in a room with no action, just a room with less action, perhaps a diningroom instead of maybe a livingroom.
About the gloves, I've "heard" that gloves are bad to use for training. Do you know if your bird was through a breeder? or if he was caught wild? I've learned that wild caught birds are pulled from the nest with gloves and this brings back that aweful memory of capture and gloves can scare the crap out of them. I can almost guarentee that when you approach him with gloves on he's gonna shy away fast. You might want to get more advice from others on the gloves.
Take care |
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Monday August 15, 2005 2:13 pm |
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tina
Just hatched
Joined: 13 Aug 2005
Posts: 46
Location: USA/Michigan |
The lady had him when he was a baby, and she hand fed him, so I am thinking she got him through a breeder. She, herself never used gloves on him, so maybe I shouldn't do it at first either. |
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Monday August 15, 2005 2:19 pm |
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Cheeta
Moderator
Joined: 06 Apr 2005
Posts: 7972
Location: Australia |
Hey Tina,
I would love to see the pics, so if you don't mind, can you please send it to my email please? Just click on the email button below my post, and you should be able to get it. otherwise, it's
lovemetooz at hotmail dot com
As with having the children around the bird. It's ok for the kids to be around the birds, just make sure that obviously that they don't stick their little fingers in the cage, or it may be bye bye fingers that's all.. And oh, as well as that, It's probably better if the kids were to be less 'hyper' around the bird. All birds, especially the bigger parrots get really wound up by all the energy that the kids exert when they are running around, or playing around the place, this just makes the bird goes nut, if you know what I mean. It'll probably scream as loud as it can to add to the noise and it might become really hyper as well due to the energy from the kids. Just something to keep in mind that's all.
Take care
Bih |
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Monday August 15, 2005 2:22 pm |
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