Macaw Question

Hello,

My wife are in the process of bringing home a 3.5 month old ruby macaw, she is very shy but she(DNA tested) stole our hearts. I noticed when she extends her neck the plumage looks fairly thin. Meaning I can see her bare neck skin she she extends her neck, this is our first Macaw and we are worried there may be an issue. The most visible skin is under her neck, which is not directly shown here. But it did not seem normal to see her bare skin when she extends her neck. She has vet appointment coming up, otherwise she is doing quite well but appears to be molting if that could be the reason. I tried to include some pictures. She does not like the cell phone. Appreciate any thoughts from anyone. Much appreciated.

First Welcome to Parrot Forums...

So, you fell in Love with a Baby Mac, a common illness as they are out of the box sweethearts.

I'm going to guess that you likely live in the Great White North as covering is something that us Northerners tend to worry about. To that point, your South American Mac is born with an appropriate feathering for that climate. They will quickly molt into a heavier body cover.

Plus they have the ability to regulate their body temperature by fluffing up, which traps air near the body and provides warmth.

As part of the Macaw Forum there are extensive Threads that can provide extensive knowledge regarding getting along with your Mac.

FYI: As soon as the weather is warmer, you will need to introduce you baby to your neighbors as your Mac has a Voice that can carry a very long way. As a testimony to that point, our Certified Avian Vet (CAV) has ear protection, and wears them when they have a Mac client!

Thank you so much. I am contemplating building a ventilated see through sound dampening chamber to help my neighbors. We will see...I hope I do not get the boot as our birds are therapy pets for my wife. Let me know if you have any advice on noise reduction. Much appreciated your reply, this is our first Macaw and it has been a dream for over a decade and we are bit nervous like new parents...lol

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Macaws!

An odd statement for me to state as I'm an Amazon Snob...

Regarding building a special room or a chamber - likely a waste of time and money as if you become a Traditional Family that is Owned by a Macaw and your Macaw will be out and about more than in the 'special' area, plus once your extremely intelligent Macaw figure the true reason for the area, she will not make a sound while in it.

Most Parrots have at least two very noisy time during each day: Welcoming the Suns arrival and wishing it a good evening. The exact time can float a bit.

You will find that if you go crazy bird person early and maintain an on-going 'contact call' based communication, your Macaw will likely not be an on-going screamer. Remember that like most Parrots, they are social creatures that 'want' to be in on-going communication (contact) with their family. You will also find that they 'want' to be around their flock as much as possible.

Regarding noise levels and what can be done to keep the noise down, commonly this has more to do with just how close they are and also your current relationship with your neighbors. Macaw's and Too's are commonly likened to Jet Engines... Noise dampening can be difficult to achieve, not impossible, but difficult. Working at limiting your Mac's need to communicate, At Volume, with his flock is one of the best tools. But, if you feel the need; Remember that Sound waves slow best when there are gaps between the surfaces. Think, insulted wall, space, vertical blanket, space vertical blanket, space vertical blanket.

Our Double Yellow-head Amazon can wake the neighbor two homes away. But, with good luck it is rare that he finds a need to wake anyone. Commonly, he is releasing an alert call, like when the Wild Life Rangers are wandering the neighborhood looking for Geese. With near everyone near us knowing we have an Amazon, when they walk by our home, they are talking to our Amazon. Some Summer days, we can have three or more couples entertaining our Amazon.

Parrots and good relationships with one's neighbors are the best resolve. Especially when they determine if one's Parrot is rattling the rafters, there is commonly a good reason... One of the Legionary Events in our neighborhood was when our Amazon had the Rangers running around our home looking for that goose!!! Yes, our Amazon was goose calling and he would fly from the back to the front and back again goose calling out the windows. It was but a very short time that near all of our near by neighbors were enjoying the sight!

Please take the time to visit the Amazon Forum. At the top you will find a Highlighted Thread (Sticky) in light blue, Titled: I Love Amazons - ... That huge Thread contains more than Thirty segments that revolve around Living and Loving Amazons (Note: Simply insert Parrot) and you will find it a wealth of Knowledge. Also, regarding diet, you will find that the Diet listed a very near that need by a Macaw, simply increase the protein percent a bit.

Tons more, for now, enjoy the reading out loud, while sitting next to your Mac.

FYI: Did you get a complete Hatch Certificate with your Macaw? If not return to the shop that sold you your Macaw and request it and then provide a copy of it to your Avian Professional. I believe that your Macaw is listed as either a CITES class #1 or #2 and such documentation is required. That documentation should include the Hatch Date, your girl's parents species, all medical documents including the DNA Certificate. Also, include the purchase receipt. Not all Macaws require a CITES document set, but I believe that your's does.

Enjoy...

Great information, did not know about CITES. The info is very useful! I had a quick question. How much should I keep my Macaw out of the cage? My wife works from home and could be kept out of the cage all day. Only problem is when we need to leave we were afraid it would start to scream if it was used to being out all day. Also, I was afraid the bird would bond with just my wife and not tolerate my presence. Did you have any thoughts on this?

BirdieDad said:

Great information, did not know about CITES. The info is very useful! I had a quick question. How much should I keep my Macaw out of the cage? My wife works from home and could be kept out of the cage all day. Only problem is when we need to leave we were afraid it would start to scream if it was used to being out all day. Also, I was afraid the bird would bond with just my wife and not tolerate my presence. Did you have any thoughts on this?

Click to expand...

Regarding bonding, single person bonding is a problem with near all Parrots. The best method of reducing this problem is for everyone to handle your Mac. And, that you and yours play: Pass the Birdie!!! In addition, you provide all the 'treats.' The goal is a balanced relationship with all members.

It is very important for all Parrots to learn how to entertain themselves as there are times when the Parrot will be Home Alone! Thus, each day, your Mac will need to be on a perch or in a cage taking a comfort moment, which can include eating, and time to make tiny pieces out of bigger pieces of wood. The big beak needs to be kept busy. So, during the day, assure there are Mac times!!! The goal is to provide contact calls, but not to be in the same room. Time your Mac, that 'I' will be in the (add room here) and I will be back to see you in (amount of time here)! Keep contact calling during this period prior to and in conjunction with your Mac's calls.

Leaving the house: Find a window that is easy for your Mac to see you both from in the house. Tell you Mac you are going outside and will be back inside in (enter time here) and return in that time period. As these time periods increase and not always seeing you outside, she will become more comfortable with your being gone.

Returning home: Like I covered earlier... It should be a very happy moment for everyone. As you open the door, you should be contact calling her!!!

Enjoy!

That looks like pure scarlett to me from the pictures. I would need to see the wings to say definitively BUT my Ruby mac had multicolored facial feathers.

This one has Scarlett clean face. Which would lead me to suspect Scarlett.

You are right Birdman666, after bringing her home I noticed that I could not see much any Greenwing. Probably not experienced enough to raise a Scarlet, but I am smitten at this point. I have included some additional pictures and you can give me your final opinion. Not that it really changes anything...lol. I understand I am in for a bit of a wild ride. Thank you in advance.

Haven't been on in awhile, but THAT is a Scarlett NOT a Ruby.

Not really a wild ride. Scarlett's are beaky birds, but that just means they put their beaks on everything are prone to using them to communicate.

Properly socialized and bite pressure trained it shouldn't be a big deal.

Thanks for the clarity. Quick query regarding behavior to you or anyone that has advice. Since my Scarlet has decided that we are best friends, she likes to attach herself to my shirt. When she does this, she really goes to town on my collar and can get some skin when she is excited. When she pinches, I redirect her beak and tell her "no biting". She has gotten better. Am I creating a bad pattern of behavior by allowing her to attach to my shirt with her feet? She will sit on my hand, but when she gets in her, lets cuddle right now mood, she will only settle for being attached to my shirt with her head buried in my neck whilst she chews on my collar.

Another topic of concern, how much will my Scarlet change when puberty arises. I have been told horror stories of people stating that following maturation their Scarlet became impossible to handle or to be more specific, the bird became a "feathered buzz saw". Aside from socialization and bite pressure training, are there any tips recommended when puberty approaches.

1. That's how it's done with the redirecting the beak.

2. Bite pressure train them and they don't turn into feathered buzz saws.

3. Scarlet's are beaky birds. they put their beaks on everything. If they are taught to be gentle it's not a problem. If the ARE NOT taught to be gentle.... OUCH!

****!

KNOCK IT OFF!

THAT HURTS!

QUICK GET AN ICE BUCKET AND A TURNIQUET!