New owner of a B&G Macaw

Matt0071 · Mar 2, 2020

Daisy is a 2 year old b&g macaw
I got her on saturday so it's only been a few days with her
The previous owner could handle her and make her step up but myself as soon as I let her out she climbs to the top.of the cage and when I try to get her to step up she lunges and tries to bite
Even I have tried getting higher then her on a chair and she still doesn't want to step up she just lunges
Is there a good way to help with her stepping up as I have tried treats too
Thanks

SailBoat · Mar 2, 2020

Hmmm, Getting a B&G can go anywhere from a love feast to a high-speed crash into a concrete wall.

I would recommend that you leave your B&G on top of the cage! Bring up a chair and sit next to the cage and read in a soft voice aloud, the Mac Forum, starting with the Sticky Threads at the top and then into the Forum. Look for any Threads by Birdman666 or responses by Birdman666.

There is a reason that most Bird Stores have Mac's available... They are truly wonderful feathered companions! But, in the hands of someone not truly ready for the Big Beak and Lunging, etc... They can be intimidating...

Consider a Zero Expectation position regarding everything and Start from Step One! Building a place that your Mac can be comfortable with you. "Only Good Things Happen When Humans Are Around"!!!

Matt0071 · Mar 2, 2020

Yeah just having a hard time with her getting to step up
I guess I need to build a trust bond with her as the precious owners never had a issue with her stepping up

Scott · Mar 2, 2020

Welcome to you and Daisy!! Ah yes, the beak and lunging. Macaws are generally more responsible than other species and use the beak as bluffing tool. Of course the stakes are higher, so caution is advised. Please read this thread: http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

You and Daisy are in the beginnings of a lengthy "honeymoon" period. Building trust and bonding are the agenda next few weeks. The last line of Sailboat's post says it all! Helpful techniques: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html

Matt0071 · Mar 2, 2020

Yeah I'm not scared to get bite lol but I respect the beak that's forsure
I have already felt the beak lol wasn't to bad but its definitely a hard pinch to the arm
I have a pitbul too and definitely there rep is not to good either but hes the most friendliest dog ever
I'm hoping to get that bond with daisy too
Right now as I said she will just goto the top of her cage
She will come over to me but then she will just kinda feel me out with her beak kinda like giving a warning sign
Is there any good tricks to get her to try to step up?
I have tried a walnut in the other hand and also fruit with no luck right now

wrench13 · Mar 2, 2020

I agree w/Sailboats - let her stay there on top of the cage, becasue any forceful efforts on your part will harm the trust you are trying to earn from you B&G. No chasing around trying to grab her, thats a sure way to kill any trust.

Be aware - Macaws love to bluff and those with faint hearts are very quickly shown to be people who they can bluff - they are very smart and attuned to peoples attitudes, so if your scared and frightened, he will pick up on that.

Matt0071 · Mar 2, 2020

Do I keep trying to have her stand up on my arm or just give her time?? What are the signs she has gained trust I guess if u never try to have her stand up??

Matt0071 · Mar 4, 2020

Yeah just having a hard time putting her back into the cage
She retrieves food nicely out of my hand at the top of the cage ,but again she goes right back up to top of the cage then she wont step up she'll just try to bite or lunge at me

charmedbyekkie · Mar 4, 2020

Abang, do read the link Scott attached: http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

The man who wrote it is an expert on macaws and answered the questions you just asked in the first post of the thread.

Matt0071 · Mar 4, 2020

Yeah I have tried that too but she will come to me on the top of the cage when I'm at the side but as soon as she gets close to my hand she wants to try to bite
And if I am sitting at one side of the cage she comes over too on top of her cage the same side I'm on
I don't get it

Slanksta · Mar 4, 2020

I would personally use a long stick to allow distance and to get him to step up and work on trust by graduating to shorter stick and in time trust will be built I’ve no doubt IF the previous owners hadn’t any character issues &#55357;&#56838;

Matt0071 · Mar 6, 2020

Well I went to there place a few times and they really had no issue of having her step up as she always stepped up for them
Still no luck as of yet but I guess it's only been day 6 now

DaveTX · Mar 6, 2020

When I first brought my B&G home she would lunge etc but to my surprise i had to take the risk and she never bit me she gently slowed her beak on my finger. It took a week or two for her to get comfortable and now she clings to the cage door when she wants out - she will dance on the top. Early on I used a perch to get her to step up off the top of the cage. it worked well.

Matt0071 · Mar 8, 2020

Yeah getting some progress yesterday and today
She stepped up yesterday about 4 or 5 times
Today she did as well and put her on the table and she stepped up about the same
Now she will offer a foot to step up and she will put one foot on and then be like should I or shouldnt I, then not a real bite she will test my finger with her beak open and bite but nothing hard at all
I think we have made some progress for only being a week
Shes just abit hesitant to step up right now

GaleriaGila · Mar 8, 2020

Welcome. I'm glad you're here. You'r getting great advice. In time, I believe you'll find a good balance between training behaviors you want and tolerating/accepting behaviors that lag behind a bit. Stay with us!

Matt0071 · Mar 8, 2020

Yes thanks I guess like ppl say it takes time and I except that
Everytime I go down to the bottom of the cage she follows me or go to the side of the cage or what not lol
Shes def feeling me out right now

Matt0071 · Mar 8, 2020

Pic of Daisy

DaveTX · Mar 8, 2020

I adopted a 15 year old B&G and I visited her two or three times a week before bringing her home. I have dogs and while she wasn’t phased by them and had clearly been around them before, she took a month before she fully trusted me, two weeks before she would step up. Her owner of 15 years passed away. She fully trusts me me now and every time I let the dogs out she hangs on the door to come out. She will step up, sit on my shoulder and loves the top of her cage. She loves me to pet her and she really is very mellow. I used a perch to get her to step up first (the kind you can put in the cage. Sit by your B&W, talk to him and you will she he is talking to you and is excited to see you. Depending on what they have been through may take longer. She lunges but never bites she is all bluster.

Matt0071 · Mar 9, 2020

Yeah it's only been a week so were making progress everyday
The previous owner had her from 6 months old and I'm the next owner and shes only 2 years old so obv still really young and still learning lol
Everytime I'm down cleaning the cage she comes down to see what I'm doing lol and as soon as I get home from work she gets excited to see me

Matt0071 · Mar 16, 2020

Just a question
I assume there more dominant the higher up they get like getting up on top of the cage
If so how can I stop her from going up to the top right away
As soon as I open up the door she wants to go straight to the top
Thanks

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