Just picked up GW....help please

I am fairly new at being a bird mom, we have an African Grey and my husband saw an ad for a GW Macaw. I haven't done a whole lot of research on Macaws because I didn't plan on getting one but after seeing her and her living conditions I couldn't turn my back. Almost all of her belly is plucked, I believe her bottom beak is messed up, she went into attack mode as soon as the male owner walked into the room. She seems to be doing ok here( 1 day into this though) she interacts with us she talks to us and sings and dances, I just would like more info on their beaks and what vitamins to give her, not sure if she can take the same as my African Grey and a good pellet to use, I am in the process of switching over my AG to all pellet and no seeds diet. Any help with any hints or tips would be great.

sweet potato mashed up is full of vit A, this is good for beaks and feathers. a vet check is a must! also macaws have a higher metabolism than other birds and need more fat, so some seeds and nuts is crucial. feed them as a treat 2-3 times a week. the vet will be able to tell if he/she is underweight and if there are any other problems. x

Macaw Food & Treats found this link

OMGoodness! I had no clue how much my lil birdie would love the sweet potato mix I made, she goes crazy! I made it into little balls and froze them so she can have one each day...mmmm birdie manna from heaven!

Ok that being said...Im sorry I dont have any advice for you as I just have one little fid. Good Luck and thank you for helping this little life in need!

I also took in a GW that needed a home, sometimes you just can't help it!
I have heard the the Dander from Greys and Cockatoo's can be irritating for Macaws, could add to his plucking.
Gary

I have a feeling that your GWs plucking was because of maltreatment by his previous owner, you saw how she acted when the man walked into the room. Animals do that for a reason. What does her lower beak look like? You said it was messed up. Can she eat ok?

Thank you for taking in this GW Macaw. As stated above, Pictures would help us here to see if your GW is at the right weight and also show us her lower beak as you mentioned.
1st, I would have her Avairy Vet checked.
2nd, Macaws will feather pluck if mistreated or not having a proper diet.
3rd, I use Color Pellet Hi energy Zupreme althought there are many Great Pellets brands out there.
4th, do not cut out the Nut and seed mix. Macaws need the fat they provide approx 2-3 times each week.
5th, Always feed fresh fruit and Veggies
6th, Water too is also important here and needs to be changed 2-3 times each day.
7th, Baths too are very important, During Molting 2-3 times per week, If your Macaw is not Molting 1-2 times per week.
8th and this one is very important here, you and your famaily must bond with her, this means doing most things around her, with her, like eating, watching T.V, play games with her. Keep her busy, cuddling is a great way to bond, You have to be in control with such a big Macaw and do not give an inch or they will take a mile. They will test you every chance they get so stay alert when handling them. Don't let your guard down.
I would also give hard boiled eggs with shell and without the yoke approx 1-2 times per week, this is great for their feathers and beak.
Please keep us posted on her progress, by the way, what name does she have? Best of luck Joe

I will post a picture soon. The previous owner did not give him any seeds or peanuts but I have since started giving them to her. Her name is Mamba and so far she seems to be adjusting pretty good. She dances a lot for me and she will blow me kisses, she has even let me pet her, she let my husband pet her beak and she takes treats from him but today she let him and then she wanted me to give her scratches on her head then he was asking her if she wanted a pet on her beak and she bit his finger. I'm not sure if she did this cause I was in the room also or if she felt she had enough of being petted for the day. Now as for her beak....the bottom is very jagged and it is obvious it bothers her, she is always trying to grind it or shape it on her cage wherever she can. When she eats it makes awful grinding sounds, and I have asked her several times if it bothers her and she always tells me "yes" (not sure if I can trust her "yes" with everything she answers to though but hey at least she is talking to me) the one vet I called is on out of the office till next week I am probably going to call a different one and if I have to drive 45 minutes so be it. I would like to thank everyone for all the help and information you have shared with me I would be lost right now. My last question is the previous(mean) owner gave me drops to put in her water daily 10 drops daily is what it says but I read some stuff on these drops and I don't think they are good for her so I can just not give them to her and get her a pellet and seed diet high in vitamins or do I still give her some sort of drops?

Don't give the drops if you read that there are ingredients that are not good contained. Then ask the vet when you get there if you should give her anything else becsides pellets, some seeds, fruit, veg & healthy table food. Just make sure to go to a good Avian vet. I would also ask him/or her meaning the Avian vet what they want to do with her lower mandible before you let them do it. If it doesn't sound like a good idea to you, then get a second opinion before you let them do anything too drastic. I believe that she bit your hubby cuz she has bonded with you & she sees him with you also. In other words she is jealous of your relationship with your hubby. This is the same as my Yellow Nape Lila being jealous of my granddaughter when she is at my house because my granddaughter & I have a very close relationship. So Lila acts aggressive toward my granddaughter when she is it my house, thus I never let Lila out of her cage when my sweet granddaughter is here. Do you understand?

I agree, as long as she is getting a good diet or fresh fruiit and Veggies, no need for the drop unless your Vet advises you to keep her on them. I hope your Vet runs blood tests, this will tell you if the drops are needed.
I'm so glad she is letting you pet her eventhough she bit your husband.lol, this happens sometimes with Macaws, they will let you know when they have had enough. Before to long, you will have her on your arm and she will not want to get down. They are real cuddlebugs. Best of luck Joe

These are the best pictures I have of her so far, my phone isn't the best at taking pictures. And yes I completely understand about the jealousy thing, at one point today she was sitting on her cage door and I was scratching her head and my husband came by and it looked as if she almost was guarding me from him. I keep telling her that it's ok he is nice and won't hurt either of us.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, her beak is just fine. They get pretty messed up when they chew on wood and their toys. The important thing is, that her beak is inline with eachother and her's looks great.
GW tend to pick one person they really bond with that person. Some pick either all men or all women. they are strange birds.
My GW Neleno will only let me and my Vet handle him. It's so weird. My SI Male Eclectus Guapo will go to everyone and anyone, sometimes I worry about him because he has no fear of people, dogs, cats, other birds, what a dare devil. I have to keep a watch over him.lol.
Her cage looks a little tiny, so you may want to get a larger cage unless she is out of the cage for most of the day and only sleeps inside the cage.
I have a King cage, it measures approx 7 feet tall, 4 feet deep, and 6 feet wide. I'm not sure if they make this model any longer. My boys are out of the cage everyother day since I work from home everyother day, but in their cages when I am not home.
I take both my boys everywhere I go or places that allow pets.
They love car trips and going to my Bird club meetings to meet all the other birds that go there. You may want to join a local bird club in your area. You can google them. Best of luck Joe

Her beak doesn't line up like it should, the old owner had no toys that she could chew on to file her beak she only had plastic toys and perches for her so I have new toys for her that she can play with and enjoy. Her cage is 6 foot height and almost 6 foot wide and about 3 foot deep she has lots of room in it so I think it might have been the angle of the picture.

You're cage seems fine, perhaps it was the angle. You may want to purchase a concrete perch, My GW loves to grind his beak and nails on it. He has nev er had to have his nails clipped, just his wings.
I would toss the plastic toys and invest in hard bird save thick wooden toys, GW loves nothing more then to be destructive and chew on wood.
When is your Vet check up and do you have an aviary vet. Please make sure they know how to handle Macaws and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. I hope the best for you. Keep us posted. Joe

I would be terrified of getting bitten by that. My little black headed caiques bite is enough when hes in one of his moods. Kudos for taken her in and good luck. Beautiful birds.

Believe it or not, I would rather get bit by my Macaw then those little birds, A Macaw bite has a lot of preasure but for the most part, they don't break the skin, those little guys pinch really hard and most of the time cut into the skin.
I was wondering how your GW's Vet visit went. Just wanted to check up to see that all is well. Thanks Joe

Like Joe says they mostly bite with alot of pressure. When my little red belly bites he doesn't stop until he draws blood. My Green Wing he does it because he is young still and I'm teaching him what is acceptable but I just shoot him a bad look and tell him he is being bold or naughty and tell him no and he stops most of the time.