Looking for advice on B & G Macaw

I may have found myself in a little mess here and am looking for some friendly advice. As many of you know I got Charlie (our macaw) not long ago for my companion. I really felt that we would have no problems with our new baby on the way soon. I have plenty of time for my pets and family as I am always home due to a disability. My problems came up this weekend when we had a friend bring her baby over. Charlie does NOT like babies!! Of course he would never be close enough to hurt it but he was extremely jealous. He would not settle down both days the baby was there, even when it was in another room. He KNEW it was there. I do not think that he will deal with a baby at all now. I know over time he might but he was very upset over that thing being in the house. I do not want to give up having a bird as I really enjoy having a feather friend as a companion while at home. I am thinking of one of two options hear.
1) sell charlie and buy a young parrot to raise with the baby together
2) consider getting Charlie a room mate or friend.

I am really leaning towards 1) or just trading for a baby as that I feel is the best possible solution. I dont think the added room mate will solve the problem but that is why I am posting here to get the advice.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Aaron

Sorry Admin I did post this in the General Questions area also. This thread can be deleted if you feel it is appropriate to do so.

I'd agree of those two options the first is probably better. But are you sure either is necessary?

Birds in general HATE change, but they do adapt to it in time. You had a baby over for only a couple of days so he didn't have time to adjust.

Additionally, many animals are quite good at recognizing humans who are blood relatives: they would react far differently to their owners baby than they would to a strangers. I don't have much experience with parrots in this area, but it is true for many other animals.

Every parrot will provide challenges to overcome. The key is to commit to overcoming them rather than trying to avoid them. Is there any reason you couldn't give Charlie a chance with the new baby and see if it can be worked out?

Thanks for the input so far.

The biggest concern is that the adjustment may take quite a while as is sometimes the normal. This adjustment time may be way to long for my wife to deal with as we all know the adjustment period can be VERY loud. With a new baby I am sure it wont take long for my wife to say enough is enough. I know I may be a little to worried about it but I think that it is with merrit. I am not sure that Charlie will take it well at all. The adjustment he will have to make may not leave him with the great disposition he has at present time.

That's all quite true. Tough decision. Not having kids I'm not sure how much more I can offer, but other members have recently had kids and dealt with the bird reaction - perhaps they will have input.

I do thank you for the input Auggies Dad!!

That is a tough one. I know people who have had to find homes for birds, dogs, cats etc. because of jealousy issues and the new baby. And then I know some people whose animals have adjusted nicely to the change. I agree with AD, that getting a baby bird might be the way to go, but is there any way you can wait it out and see what happens? Then if you have to go that way, you will be bringing the bird in on the baby instead of the other way around. Good Luck!!! Hope everything works out for you.

That is kind of what I was hoping. With a baby bird it could adjust with our new baby. My wife is actually due in just a couple of weeks. I guess I am really leaning for finding Charlie a GOOD family. It will hurt some but it is really what I think will be best for Charlie. I may think on it for a little while then possibly post here on the site. Thanks for the thoughts and advice so far please keep them coming.

I might be a little late on responding on this... but...

I think you should give charlie a chance. Birds are going to be loud no matter what the situation, its just their nature. You made a commitment to charlie, and bringing a baby bird into the mix will not solve your problem. It will be harder on charlie to adjust to a whole new home and new people than it would be for him to adjust to an additional family member. Perhaps you could give him a little extra love when baby comes home so he knows that he hasnt been forgotten.

Remember charlie would pull the stars from the sky for you, and all he asks in return is for you to love and commit to him.

My personal input would be to give Charlie a chance if that doesn't work find him a new home, but do not get another avian pet until the child is around 4 or 5 then go for something smaller like a green cheek conure or senegal if it is important that the child and bird be compatible. again this is strictly personal as far as what I would do.