rescue Macaw

Hi my name is kevin and im new to this forum.Ok here is my story.A guy i work with has a macaw that hes had for 26 years.He has become verry ill and can no longer look after his bird.The bird is starting to pluck because the owner can no longer spend time with her.I have a african grey that ive had for 31 years so i have some experience with parrots.Today was his last day of work because of his ilness and he asked me if i would adopt her so if something happens she wouldnt go to the pound.I have done some reasearch on them and i do understand that they can be loud and need afection and keept amused with toys.I have decided that i will adopt her but i want to make it as stress free as possible.I was thinking of going over a half hr everyday for 2 weeks before i move her.Is there any other suggestion you have that i can do?Also is there anything i should know about them im not thinking of?thanks for your time....kevin

Hi Kevin and welcome. What as sad story, for both the owner and the bird. Taking on any bird, as you know is not an easy task. I am not familiar with Macaw's, many members will give fantastic input, relating to your questions.
Great that you are going to visit and get to know the bird, helps with the bonding process.
Found a link which will assist you to some degree

Macaws As Pets | Facts About Macaws

Our prayers are with the owner.
Please keep us updated

What a wonderful thing to do for your friend and his bird.

What kind of macaw? I would imagine that with a bird who's been with one family for that long may have a bit of a harder time adjusting to a new family. I think your plan is a good one. Let her get to know you and used to your presence. Will your friend be able to visit after the final move to your home?

Good luck.

She is a blue and gold macaw,she is verry well trained,She even poops on comand.The only thing im concerned about is when i bought parrot mix at the store a employee said good luck to me because they are so loud..is the site on the link above free or do you have to pay....thanks

We don't have a B&G but our RMF macaw is louder than our Alexandrine, but I think that's mostly because she's a poster-child extrovert and he's very much an introvert. But she's is almost never annoyingly loud. The only time she calls loudly is:

-if she's in her cage and wants out - usually only in the mornings before we leave for work because she's out of her cage the rest of the day except when she sleeps at night.

-when either my husband or I come home - she's fine when anyone else comes home if one of us is there, or

-if she doesn't feel she's getting the attention she deserves - which isn't really that often, but she's a bit of a diva, so she has to remind us about 1x week.

And even in these instances, it's only for a minute or so and not ear-splitting.

Remember, by instinct, lots of birds call to their flock at certain times of day - such as dusk when everyone's getting ready to roost. However, we've never had this issue with Jade or with Max. But parrots vary from bird to bird, so check with your friend and see what her "history" is, also not everyone defines "noisy" the same way.

thanks for your input and time...I dont mind some loud noise once in a while but if it is going to be a all day thing i might be in trouble

I have a Greenwing Macaw, larger and potentially louder than a B&G. My Macaw has never been loud. Once in awhile he'll let out one loud squawk and that's it. If shes not loud were she is currently living she might not be loud at your place. Give her plenty to do and spend some time with her everyday and I bet she''l be fine. Many birds squawk when you are in the same room or within their sight, usually if they start squawking getting out of their sight quiets them down. Funny thing, I'm dying to add a B&G to my flock, best of luck.

Firstly, kudos to you for doing what you are doing.

I think loudness depends on the individual bird - your friend must know how loud his bird is. I have a 20 yr old B&G and a Green Wing & neither are noisy but they do get a HUGE amount of attention. They wil get into short periods of screeching maybe once a week on average but nothing annoying (unless you have a headache).

Best of luck!

Ok ive had my new rescue for about 5 days now.For the last 2 days she wont listen to up or down comands and just wants to stay on her cage.I read that she might be testing us to try and be the head bird and to just keep making her do what we want.Then i saw a video on training macaws and he said to let them make up there own mind.Any suggestions?Also today i bought her a new bigger cage and wanted to know how i should fase her to use the new cage?I was going to put them sideby side and use a perch to attach them together then start putting all her fav foods in the new one then eventualy remove the old one.The thing is when she is on the old one she plays with her toys and is quiet most of the day as soon as i put her on her new giant perch she screams non stop.Im thinking that the old cage is all she has left of her old life....thanks again for all your help...kevin

I'm brand new to parrots, so the only advice I can give you is what I have been reading (I don't know this from experience!). This particular book was making the point that when getting a new parrot, it's important to spare no expense in getting a cage that is sturdy and is the correct size (I know that's not your case, but it has to do with switching cages). It stated after a period of time, if you tried to move it to a new cage, it may cause the bird undo stress and anxiety. With the big change in your new bird's life, I think it sounds good to do what you suggested: place the newer cage beside her old one with a perch to connect them. It's a great sign that she is playing contently with her toys; it sounds like she is adjusting well. You are such a blessing to your friend and your new bird! Remember that time is on your side.

Kevin The first thing you should do with a new bird is an avain vet visit to rule out any contagious diseases. You should keep the birds seperate for a few weeks to be sure. The bird is undergoing big time stress now with a new home, new flock and a new cage not to mention the other bird. Do not worry about the head bird status, just understand the stress factors the bird is going though. Try to keep the bird's environment as peaceful and non threatening as possible for a while. The bonding process will take place and then after the new bird has demonstrated it trust you and is comfortable in the home, you can begin training. Good luck!!

It may be too much change at once. I would leave the new cage nearby and let the bird adjust to you and your home. Over time let him accept the new cage in his own time.

I have a Green Wing and I want to purchase a new cage as well. This is one of my concerns, he will not accept the change. But I think it would be like a new toy, it takes time for them to accept it before the play with new objects.

well its been a few months now since i rescued my B & G Macaw.Everything is going ok except she refuses to do the up comand.The last owner was a women and Dusty will bend over backwords to get my mother and my girlfriends attention to take her off the cage.I was told not to force her but its been months with no improvement.I was talking to a girl at the local pet shop and she told me that it might be because she is on the top of her cage and is looking down at me .Any suggestions would be great..Also does anyone know any training dvds for the basic comands,I dont need her to jump through hoopes just stuff so i can do things like cut nails,take her off so i can clean cages when i want not when she wants to come off....thanks

Kevin, I know nothing about Macaws...but many birds won't come off the top of the cage willingly. I got Fred in June, and I have to "insist" when I need him to get off...This is just my opinion, as I'm new to bigger birds, but I see nothing wrong with insisting if you need him off the cage. That said, the relationship is new, and he may not trust you yet. Have you tried placing his favourite treat in the area where you want him to go? It doesn't work with Fred, but it may work for you...

You know, she may be grieving a bit. It has been a major move. I would be inclined to let the new cage sit nearby with door open and treats inside but not force another major move so soon. Honestly I doubt you're being tested. Give it some time.

Hey Kev, I have the same problem with Quincy, if I reach the cage in and tell him to step up from the perch he's fine, if I let him come out of the cage on his own and he sits on the door or goes to the top of the cage its all over :09:, he'll let me do just about anything I want to him, but if I ask him to step up from there.....forgetaboutit, I have to chase him back in the cage and once there he'll step up, its the only time I ever have an issue with him, its quite a common problem for parrots not to respond well to commands from the top of the cage, so don't dispare, your not alone, you might try using a stick perch instead of your hand, that sometimes works.........

thanks for the input.I think it might also be time to get rid of the old cage.When i got her she came with a really small cage,i got her a bigger one and she even sleeps in the new one with no problems.Im going to try and build a play/stand i seen on ebay that looks llike a top of a birch tree and make it wider instead of taller...thanks again for the help...kevin