Pet-sitting...help?

Hi
I don't have a parrot of my own, but have just started house-sitting, and they have a Blue and Gold Macaw with some issues. They don't know how old he is, or what his back story is, other than he was used as a breeder in essentially a "parrot mill". He was plucked nearly completely, and I was told he has a strain of herpes, which is often fatal in parrots.

They have had him for about a year, and he is only about half feathered, and still very shy. He will take food from their hands, but has never been out of his cage as he is too afraid.

Now that it is just me here, he seems more agitated and afraid. Every time I go near his cage to feed/give water, he lunges at me, hisses, squaks really loud, and begins to shiver. I have been careful to be quiet, and approach slowly, talking gently to him.

I guess I'm wondering what I can do to make him less afraid of me, and maybe how I can have him take food from my hand. Is there a favourite treat of macaws? He is given several different kinds of nuts daily, as well as pellets and some banana or grapes.

Thanks for any input or advice, I've never been in charge of a parrot before!

If you talk to him & tell him what you are doing or going to do, i.e. "I'm going to put food/water in your cage," "I'm leaving the room," "I'm going to bed." "good morning," etc., etc., etc. it might help. At least it let's him know (by your normal, quiet voice), that you are not just showing up & surprising him.

Apples, un-salted peanuts, watermelon, cantaloupe, any or all of these may tempt his taste-buds.

Other than that, just keep doing what you have been doing.....

I agree with weco. I do that now with my cockatiels - talk to them before I approach their cage and nest box. They're more protective and easily startled now that they've got a clutch of eggs. Even though they're not tame yet, they definitely seem more accepting of my little intrusions when I announce myself.

You're doing a good job so far it seems. Just be patient, gentle, and keep engaging him. At the bird shelter I volunteered at, we had a cockatoo, Lola, who was also recovering from severe plucking issues and with a somewhat similar disposition. She seemed like she would really bite your finger off if you came too close! With time and patience, she became familiar with us and let us feed her treats by hand, but really, it took a very long time and gentle interaction. I've also babysat for some birds who seemed to have spells of depression from being separated from their owners for long periods of time. I recall a few birds that apparently stayed in a nervous, anxious mood for a period of a few days up to a week after their owners came back then eventually began to behave normally again. I guess they must've really taken it to heart. I know the little collared dove I rescued seems more agitated when I've been out of the house longer than she's used to. She's so cute - her rump feathers fluff up and she flies around listlessly for a minute or two. When I then come to pick her up, she hops on my hand, my shoulder, my head, and anywhere else on me she can hop onto all restless and annoyed.

Perhaps the fact that his owners are gone coupled with his not so great past are causing him to be insecure. Props to you for being accommodating and patient. Just keep it up and hopefully, after a few more times babysitting him, he'll come to accept you as a friend.