11 week old macaw scared?

Hi,

My b&g macaw is now ~11 weeks old.
He's doing well, and is starting to pick at some foods i put in front of him so he is at early stage of weaning i suppose, but still on 3x 100ml formula each day.
He loves scratches on his head and under his beak. Also he likes to bite my fingers and bob his head furiously thinking he's being fed.

One question about his behaviour, It seems he's scared of being on my lap, He'll start breathing fast and tries to get away.
On the desk he's fine he's just biting things. but then when i put my arms beside him, and i mean close like almost touching he starts breating fast again and stands up very straight. also when i put my hand on him he pushes my hand away with his wings.
Honestly i think this is odd because my hands keep him warm.
Also when on my lap he seems calmer when he's facing away from my face for some reason.

I've also handraised an eclectus who is 17.5 weeks now, He loved sleeping on my chest with my hands over him to keep him warm, he still does very much! couple days a week he'll come to me if i'm up late and lands on my chest and lays down on his side or something to sleep.
I would really much like this to also be possible with my macaw.

For what i've read, macaws are pretty cuddly birds and mine just does not seem to be like that at all, besides loving scratches on his head.
I'm just a little worried that he wont like being with me also when he's older.

Is his behaviour just a phase? will he be less fearfull as he gets older?
Should i just keep trying to sit with him each day or leave him be in his cage/nest?

Thanks for reading!

Hi, remember not all birds are the same, what one likes another won't. Even within the same species they like different things. Relax and don't try so hard. How long has he been with you?

plumsmum2005 said:

Hi, remember not all birds are the same, what one likes another won't. Even within the same species they like different things. Relax and don't try so hard. How long has he been with you?

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He's been with me for almost 6 weeks, but since he needed to be kept warm i only really took him out like 1.5 week ago so the first 3.5 weeks i havent really taken him with me while watching a movie / tv etc.
But even though he might not like it now as a baby is there the possibility that he'll like it more as he gets older? Or is this just gonna be a bird that likes me but from a distance?

he'll most likely end up liking it if it happens often and you don't force it.

Right now he looks at you and sees a predator sort of grabbing him and he thinks he's lunch. He's got to break through his natural instincts to become lovey. Remember he was sick until recently so was more docile during that time. Just give him time and don't force him, you can't tell what he'll be like until he's older, just gotta roll with it

Like LordTriggs said it's unlikely he will stay that way just stick with what you're doing you're baby is too young too judge how he is going too act with you when he gets older.

Okay thanks people, i'll just keep giving him love and attention and trust things will be allright!
He's sitting on my lap right now by the way. Not very relaxed, very fast breathing but he's not trying to get away now. he wants to sleep but everytime he almost fall asleep he scares awake or something.

Martin93 said:

Okay thanks people, i'll just keep giving him love and attention and trust things will be allright!
He's sitting on my lap right now by the way. Not very relaxed, very fast breathing but he's not trying to get away now. he wants to sleep but everytime he almost fall asleep he scares awake or something.

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that's a good step already, just remember you've had the hard time with feeding so he's going to be nervous at least around you for a while. Once he realizes you aren't going to eat him he should calm himself. Fact he's no longer running away is good, almost the most important step really because it opens the opportunity for you and him to calm down and relax

May help if you can do something whilst he's in your lap? Singing, humming something along those lines, parrots can find it soothing. A predator doesnt usually sing to you first LOL.

Plum will let me stroke his foot if he isnt bothered about a head scratch. He must find that soothing?

Thanks! will try a little humming tonight when i'm alone xD.