Possible Macaw / Cockatoo abuse

Hi everyone,

In this crazy world we are in, I lost my job and had to move quickly out of the place I lived and immediately in with 2 new roommates. One of them is very nice (but also very passive) and the other is not nice, and lives in the basement with a cockatoo and a macaw, they have been in his family for 30+ years. He is gone most of the time and the birds get no interaction, have no toys and I am not sure how you are supposed to feed them but they only seem to get bird seed. Their claws are long and seem to be not well taken care of.

But heres what I am really concerned about: I have been here for 2 weeks now, and the first week, both birds would always make a lot of noise, I would go downstairs and hang out with them daily. The cockatoo loves to be held and is affectionate although it says some pretty awful things it has heard clearly. The parrot didn't want to be held, but would come out of his cage and stand on the top, and dance to music. However, this past week only the cockatoo has been making noise. When I go downstairs, the macaw Cosmo is always on the bottom of his cage, often with his head pressed on the bottom of the cage. He no longer makes any sounds, squawking or talking at all. If I come near, he will raise his feathers at me and if I try to open the cage he will hold the lock with his beak so I can't open it.

My other friendly roommate tried to ask the owner what was wrong with the bird and he said "he's being like that because we got into a fight."

I don't know what that means but my experience here so far leaves me to believe this person could be violent (he has already yelled and cussed at me when I asked him not to have people over to the house because of social distancing). He also mentioned to me that he has gotten the birds "drunk" and high in the past. I was in shock.

Does anyone know what could possibly be wrong with the bird or what I could possibly do? I feel so bad for both birds. I have 2 cats or else I would take them upstairs during the day. I doubt I will live here much longer.

Would you share your general location? Perhaps there are rescues in your area? Or other animal welfare organizations? The situation does sound frightening. Sometimes avian veterinarians can give advice...

Certified Avian Vets
https://abvp.com/animal-owners/find-an-abvp-specialist/
If none are near you...
Avian Veterinarians
http://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803
In my opinion, any of the vets listed here should be better than a regular vet.
International contacts, too.
Or... sometimes I find a place to start just by Googling "avian veterinarian near ((your location))"

Thank you for trying to help...

I can be chastized or even banned here, BUT this roommate of yours is completely out of hand. Aside from anything else, those birds are being abused and the info should be passed on to someone that will do something about it. The birds should be protected. jh

OMG this is awful! I'm sure it's tricky since confrontation could affect your living situation, but this is a serious problem. A macaw laying on the floor with his head down isn't acting, he's likely injured or otherwise in some serious distress. He's going to need a vet, if it's not too late already. Maybe a place to start with the roommate- ask if the birds could move upstairs? (With their cages) They NEED TO BE OUT OF THAT SITUATION!

Please keep us updated. This is heartbreaking. Thank you for trying to help!

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1oldparroter said:

I can be chastized or even banned here, BUT this roommate of yours is completely out of hand. Aside from anything else, those birds are being abused and the info should be passed on to someone that will do something about it. The birds should be protected. jh

Click to expand...

you said it sir

I just cant see how we could move them upstairs... first he (roommate) would not allow it, secondly we have 3 cats and 1 dog upstairs (I own 2 of the cats). I live in the state of Georgia. I am going to call rescue places today to see what they advise.

To clarify, he does occasionally jump up on his perch / stand up on the bottom of his cage. But he doesn't make any vocalizations and often lays on the bottom of his cage.

Also I agree "the birds should be protected" which is why I am posting here but like I said I think this person could be violent towards the birds, other members or animals of the household. Which is why I have to come up with a plan and not just remove them from the house on my own like I might have done otherwise.

I hear you. Like I said, it's a tricky situation at best. Great idea to contact local rescues for advice. Let them know as much as you can about the situation, and especially what the macaw is doing. A healthy bird will not lay down on the floor with his head down like that. Something is really wrong.

I truly hope you can find a way to help these birds in desperate need. Good on you for trying your best for them. The mark of a hero!

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In Georgia it gets reported to the Ag.Dept:

Report to the Georgia Department of Agriculture Equine Health Section at 1-800-282-5852, ext. 3713 or 404-656-3713, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or to the local law enforcement agency and the animal control office, if one exists in the area.

Turn it in. Lord knows, if I was near you would have a spot while you got on your feet. So start looking. jh

I would have an escape plan for yourself first above all else before even thinking about reporting. You don't really want someone violent who has a grudge against you in the house with both you and your own animals. They will not be above killing your animals in retaliation I'm sure.


If you can post a video of the macaw behavior we can try and give an idea if its normal or not. A lot of blue and golds spend time on ground level in their cages. He could just be insanely bored and pressing his head down into a corner or possibly brooding in the corner & you are getting some hormonal aggression when you go near.

yes yes--- do plan ahead.....if this person is insane (and they may be--even if they seem normal) get your "kids" out before confronting them...but don't wait...

Words are very important when interacting with Law enforcement and governmental agencies. What you say needs to be what they see as a result of an onsite. Most will be looking for condition of their cages (just how dirty). Availability of water and food and whether the bowls are somewhat clean.

To us, the lack of toys, even a lack of perches is a big issue, government not at all. The same for interaction with them.

Your words regarding the Mac is 'laying down' has to be point on, the bird needs to be laying down on its side! Not sitting down with its beak in a corner. Here again to us there is much to be concerned about. But legally, if the Mac is upright it is less of a concern.

Abuse is reflected at two very different levels: Mental and Physical. Yes, they can and are commonly both, as Physical commonly flows into Mental.

The vast majority of the Amazons that have come to live with us had been very ill and very likely abused. Since different Parrots respond differently to abuse and determining abuse response comes into the realm of those with extensive experience with working with a specific species and knowing how that species response. To that point, my background is with Amazons and although I see signs
what I would classify as physical abuse with displays that includes mental stress responses. I'm do not have the experience with Mac's to confirm it.

Love the having a rapid escape plan fully in place. To a point of having a discuss with local law enforcement regarding your concern of physical harm from this individual.

You have zero protection under the Law to take the Property of another individual. Your involvement of proper organization that have the legal right to remove animals is the proper direction.