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New member
Hey everyone. I have a 14+ y/old Cockatiel (Hermes) and a 6 y/old Quaker (Pan) and this last Friday added a 2 y/old Shamrock Macaw called Pirate (will be changed after he/she is DNA sexed). I grew up with my family owning African Greys along with a number of other birds, but I always wanted a Macaw, and now finally I am at a stage that I can take care of one.
Now for the reason you are here. Oh one little note, yes I know the cage is small, its what he came with, and will be replaced very shortly.
Pirate on the ride home
Pirate with his new toy
Pirate was not given much fruit, in fact he was given cookies and the last owners gave me a package of them before I left. I liked them, Pirate will just have to remember the taste from memory.
Well remember that new toy, well by mid early afternoon Sunday it was at this stage.
And by evening, that toy and the one outside is cage are mostly gone. I had already planed to make him toys but I didn't know I was going to have to open up a sweatshop just to keep up.
After the first weekend, Pirate is off of his cookie diet and onto Pellets, has found he likes all kinds of fruits not so much veggies (will work on that). And, much to the disappointment of my Quaker, he learned that in a screaming match he wins.
The one thing I really was not expected was how much he tongues me. Most of our contact is him using his tongue to probe my fingers.
So I know I need to work on bite training but I am unsure what steps I need to take and how best to start. Seems most of the advice is on baby parrots, and well he is not that, so any help will be very helpful.
I have been going through a lot of the links that birdman has shared. Very interesting reading, some of it I knew, but lots of new stuff as well.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49844-some-my-favorite-articles.html
Now for the reason you are here. Oh one little note, yes I know the cage is small, its what he came with, and will be replaced very shortly.
Pirate on the ride home
Pirate with his new toy
Pirate was not given much fruit, in fact he was given cookies and the last owners gave me a package of them before I left. I liked them, Pirate will just have to remember the taste from memory.
Well remember that new toy, well by mid early afternoon Sunday it was at this stage.
And by evening, that toy and the one outside is cage are mostly gone. I had already planed to make him toys but I didn't know I was going to have to open up a sweatshop just to keep up.
After the first weekend, Pirate is off of his cookie diet and onto Pellets, has found he likes all kinds of fruits not so much veggies (will work on that). And, much to the disappointment of my Quaker, he learned that in a screaming match he wins.
The one thing I really was not expected was how much he tongues me. Most of our contact is him using his tongue to probe my fingers.
So I know I need to work on bite training but I am unsure what steps I need to take and how best to start. Seems most of the advice is on baby parrots, and well he is not that, so any help will be very helpful.
I have been going through a lot of the links that birdman has shared. Very interesting reading, some of it I knew, but lots of new stuff as well.
http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49844-some-my-favorite-articles.html
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