Bonded Macaws? But she's a stranger.. Does my male Macaw also have a bond with me?

pyohay

New member
Aug 26, 2011
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New York/ Chicago
Parrots
20 year old male Hyacinth macaw- Sam
(est) 7 year old Green-winged Macaw Female- Lola
Thank you for taking a look. I am a 23 year old, 20 years ago my Father inherited a male hyacinth from his best friend who passed away. His name is Sam. During my childhood Sam was always affectionate towards most humans. With my sister and I who saw him weekly (divorced parents) we were able to cuddle with him and form significant relationships. In my young teens (Sam's too) my Father was married to a woman who loved and cared for Sam like a Mother and he in turn became very attached to her, like no other attachment I had seen. When they divorced 11 years ago is when I noticed Sam starting to alienate himself. Skip forward 5 years. Same is introduced to Lola (a Green-winged Macaw) by a girlfriend of my fathers, Lola was very close with her.
Sam and Lola have been together for almost 6 years. I left for college 5 years ago. I have no relationship with Lola. Same is aggressive towards all males. My father lives under constant attack because Sam is "protecting" Lola.
The household it's self is extremely unstable, my fathers constant emotional roller coasters cause these birds to be wary of all humans. Except for Sam and I. No one can handle Sam without a glove, except for me. I saw him last week and after a day we began cuddling and kissing again. We have been in each other's lives for 20 years and I always show him trust, respect and love.
Now we have Lola, although she is most loved and is very nice towards my father and other humans, she has it out for me. She attempts to hurt me by grabbing my fingers into the cage and bracing them between her beak and the cage. If I walk too far away from her while holding Sam she starts to scream bloody murder.. But Sam will protect Me from her in the cage if she comes too close, because he knows she's trying to hurt me. And If I walk away from Sam's view, he screams bloody murder. It's a bad dynamic.

Now here is my problem. My father is 60, he has been waiting for me to take the birds... The birds. Plural. I don't have a relationship with Lola, in fact she wants me dead. I never signed up for her. Sam has been my pet since I was 3, I have always known I would one day get to be his prime owner/sister. Lola is a stranger to me.

I'm assuming they are bonded. But I feel like If I separated them and Sam came with me, he would be ok without her. But even If I were to put Lola into a great wildlife refuge she might not survive. I really need some feedback. Can I separate them? What are the nature of these relationships in a macaws perspective? I know most of this may seem stupid but I really have no knowledge about Macaws except for my own interactions. Any feedback is extremely appreciated. Thank you.

Paige :blue: :red1:

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Last edited:

JJones1719

New member
Mar 9, 2011
466
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2
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MD
Parrots
7 Year old SI Eclectus named Guapo, I have a 6 year old GW Macaw named Neleno
If I were in your shoes, I would seperate them.
The idea here is for both Macaws to bond with you and by seperating them, they have no choice other then to bond with you. They must see you as the protector, provider, and flock.
When you are ready to start the bonding, work with your Macaw out of the room from the other Macaw and enjoy one on one time alone.
Spend equal time with them.
Rewards are the best way to a Macaws heart, so always have them handy.
I would not give up on the Green wing, like the HY Macaws, they too are known as the gentle giants for a reason. Green Wings catch on very fast and form very strong bond and usually it's with one person or one Macaw.
I currently own a SL Male Eclectus 5 years old, and a 3 year old Green Wing, at first I spent one on one time with them seperate from eachother, after we all bonded, then I interact with them together. They do compete for my attn and I make them work for it so the bond that I have with both of them are very strong. Best of luck Joe
 

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