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MikeW
Egg
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: Virginia |
| New bird |
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Hello, My name is Mike and this is my first post (and Macaw). We have just adopted a 21 yr old Blue and Gold Macaw named MAX (Have had it now for 5 days). It is talking and will take food from my hand, but still trys to bite! My question is what should I do to gain his trust, and how slow should I go? I would like to let him out of his cage and on his play stand but he will not let me near him without trying to bite. All feedback welcome.
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Thursday July 13, 2006 11:47 am |
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Fluffy Sue
Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 10063
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Hi Mike and Max!
Welcome to fluffies!
That's quite a reputable age, 21 years. I don't see older birds all too often.
Does Max really try to bite, or does he try to grab you to step up?
Are his wings clipped?
Can you practice him to step up onto a handheldperch? Or a rope?
Do you have photos of Max? You can put them in your diary or homepage.. 
We LOVE photos! |
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Thursday July 13, 2006 11:50 am |
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MikeW
Egg
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: Virginia |
Hey Fluffy
I think he is trying to bite, he also tends to bark like a dog when he gets in this mood, I will try the perch and see if he will step up. Do you think I should not push him since we have only had him 5 days? Another question I have is bathing, the previous owner used a squirt bottle as a means of disipline and when ever he sees a squirt bottle he runs for the back and hides. Once I get him to step on perch can I place in tub with water (couple inches deep)
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Thursday July 13, 2006 12:00 pm |
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shirin
Moderator
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 7401
Location: Canada, Toronto |
Hi Mike Welcome to fluffies.
I would say yes, give him some time to settle in and get used to you. Maybe for the first couple of weeks just sit by his cage and talk to him in a soft voice so he knows you mean him no harm. Try offering him some treats through the cage bars and when he takes them from your hand praise him. Once you do start trying to handle him you can also wear gardening gloves to protect your hands. Take him away from his cage to a different room for traning so he doesn't feel territorial. Try not to react when he bites you, and never use any forms of physical punishment. Using a squirt bottle is just awful, no wonder Max is having a hard time trusting  . Birds do really well with positive reinforcement, so when he's being good offer him treats and praise him lavishly.
As far as bathing, once you are able to handle him without getting bit, you can take him right into the shower and let him have drenching showers. Putting him in the bath tub is also fine |
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Thursday July 13, 2006 3:09 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6672
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
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Awww, he's probably feeling quite unsettled right now, with the move & all.
What's his background? What was his behaviour with his previous family?
That's too bad that they tried to discipline him with the water bottle  My hubby has wanted to do that with my macaw, but I will NOT allow it!! I guess if I were you, I would first try offering him a shallow bowl with warm water in it & see how he takes to that. If you have a flat play top cage you could just set it on there. I wouldn't just put him into the bathtub, but take it slowly & see how he reacts to different things, let him get used to it first, by letting him watch you having a great time in the bath tub.
Being the age he is, I wouldn't let him get to used to having no contact with you, yet you don't want to push too much either. I would try getting him on a wooden dowel, or perch & just walk around the house with him, talking to him & introducing him to everything. Is his play stand or cage in the main family room where he's able to be near people a lot?
They are flock birds, so it's natural for him to want to be around other flock members, which is now you & your family.
As for the biting, has he bit you hard? Does he have a history of biting do you know? They do use their beak as a hand & he may be using it to try to get a grip, or he could very well be testing you to see what kind of reaction he can get. Macaws are not normally aggressive, they wont normally bite real hard, tho I know it can still be painful.
Is this your first experience with a parrot? I wish you the best of luck with him! I'd really love to see some pictures! |
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Thursday July 13, 2006 3:12 pm |
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MikeW
Egg
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Posts: 9
Location: Virginia |
Thanks for the encouragement. As far as I know he did not bite his previous owner, but I know about the squirt bottle because she told me that was how she disiplined him. Currently he is on the screend pourch in his cage, we spend most of our time there after work. I want to get a perch for indoors, but until he feels comfortable coming out of his cage he will remain on the porch (which is attached to our bedroom). I speak to him every morning and after work hang out until dark.
I have not actually given him a chance to see if he is biting or using his beak as a hand, if he bites will he break skin (how hard).
Yes this is our first parrot, we have had parrotkeets but that was a long time ago, my main hobby is my saltwater reef tank and now Max. |
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Thursday July 13, 2006 3:26 pm |
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Cathy
Kamikaze pilot
Joined: 02 Apr 2005
Posts: 6672
Location: Omaha, NE USA |
Oh yeah, he certainly COULD break the skin, after all those VERY powerful beaks are used to crack the very hardest nuts!!
However, macaws are not known for their aggressiveness & will not normally bite hard in defense, usually they will give a warning nip.
Does he come out of his cage? I would keep his cage door open, when you're home to keep an eye on him, & let him come out. Course then you may have a problem getting him back inside when it's bed time, but you could bribe him with some kind of treat, or better yet, use a wooden dowel, stick, or perch for him to get on to put him back in his cage. |
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Friday July 14, 2006 12:08 pm |
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