Hi All - New user ALERT!

JJacquest

New member
Jul 5, 2015
2
0
Hi,
If you are reading this then thank you for taking time to read my rambles.

My name is Jade, i have kept various birds across the years and from a young age, from Budgies, to Conures and now my most recent addition being a Blue and Gold Macaw, called Colin.

Colin is a young hand reared macaw, hatched in September this last year. Colin is just coming out of the recovering from Felicuilitus of the Main Tail Feather, which unfortunately left him without tail feathers for months. I have come on here hoping to be able to get some advice and read up on peoples stories with there parrots.

I am hoping to gather some information on how people have gone about dealing with some of the issues that all bird owners face.
Colin is currently going through a very naughty/cheeky/testing the boundaries stage in his development. All from chewing, which I understand is a very natural normal thing to do but he approaches things such as keyboards, phones and remote control with attitude and is intent on destroying them, even though he is supplied with numerous chew toys etc. He also loves to hang upside down from curtain rails which I am having an issue stopping him from doing, not that this is a major issue its just he has had issues with tail feathers recently and also had an accident falling from one. Also whilst on the subject of problems, when me and Colin are having our quiet time together, I keep finding him to be retching quiet often, is this some weird bonding behaviour or could there be an underlying issue. Colin is fed on Harrisons High Potency Pellet diet, I did notice him actually being sick the other day, however I was wondering is this to do with the silly heat wave we are having, the weird bonding behaviour so many have described or a health issue.

Again thanks for reading, if I should direct some of these questions in a particular thread, please point me in the right direction. Very much so new to this but very willing to learn the ropes. :blue:
 

Solo

New member
Feb 24, 2015
294
0
Wichita,KS
Parrots
Shamrock Macaw
Welcome to the forum! My Mac pretend regurgitates for me, and I've heard of some actually regurgitating as a sign of affection. Considering the recent health issues with Colin, I don't want to say its definitely bonding. There are many experienced parronts here that may be able to answer your questions.

BTW...we LOVE pics! Hope to see some of sweet Colin. [emoji1]
 

GreatBlue320

New member
May 5, 2015
771
0
Parrots
Baxter - Illiger's Macaw (hatch date 5.1.15);

Taylor - Black capped Conure (RIP 3.14.15 - miss you every day little "Girlie")
Welcome, Jade and Colin!
 

itchyfeet

New member
Nov 1, 2014
1,013
7
Middle Earth
Parrots
Ethyl the cockatiel, Henry & Clarke the IRN's, and Skittles the lovebird (my daughters)
Hi, Welcome!
I love reading through the forums, such useful real life stuff :)
I can't wait to see pictures!
 

Allee

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2013
16,852
Media
2
212
Texas
Parrots
U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Welcome, Jade and Colin! Happy to have you on the forum!

We have a fantastic group of macaw enthusiasts, I'm sure they will be happy to answer your species specific, behavioral questions when they have a chance.

There is a difference in regurgitation and throwing up. When a parrot regurgitates, he sees you as a potential mate and he's offering to feed you, the bird makes a pumping motion to deliberately bring up food for you. When a parrot throws up, he will usually shake his head from side to side and sling food. If a parrot throws up he needs a vet check. If he's regurgitating, you should limit physical contact to head scratches and try to distract him with toys, an activity, or a treat.

I'll leave your other questions to our macaw pros. :)
 

JerseyWendy

New member
Jul 20, 2012
20,995
24
Hi there, and welcome to the forums. :)

This is the perfect place to ask questions about your Colin, Jade, and please, never be afraid to ask away.

If you could spare some pictures, we'd all love to meet Colin.
http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

Is the Harrison High Potency the only thing he's eating? And you said he was sick the other day, what do you mean?

All my fids (feathered kids) get fed a wide variety of foods, with emphasis of fresh stuff.


http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/22594-cook-portion-freeze-my-recipe.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/parrot-food-recipes-diet/28298-my-birdie-bread-macs-love-these.html



This is what my fids get on a daily basis
It's the MSBS parrot mix, and I also add several Goldenfeast mixes and additional pellets
IMG_6620_zps38976e88.jpg


These nuts are for my Macs
IMG_6621_zpsb31ca667.jpg


IMG_6619_zps335eb3bb.jpg


My homecooked stuff
IMG_6623_zps303b7ca8.jpg


And fresh fruits and veggies
IMG_6622_zps6be71e1e.jpg


Choy, Sugar Snap Peas, Red Peppers, Jalapenos, Carrot, Zucchini, Broccoli, Celery, Plum & Peach.

Please don't ask me the nutritional values, as I have absolutely NO clue. :32:

Ripley had a hard time just “watching”.






IMG_6287.jpg
I

I have to keep all of mine away from remotes, cell phones, keyboards and such as they would undoubtedly get destroyed. :54:
 
OP
J

JJacquest

New member
Jul 5, 2015
2
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thanks everyone.
Colin Main staple food is his Harrison's pellets as these are
Organic and I was finding on seeds he was very picky and would only eat sunflower seeds. He has fresh greens, veggies and fruit daily. He has extras from my dinners cooked for him to have such as pasta. Whilst on the topic of fresh foods, I'd it true or a myth that tomatoes are poisonous??? Also Wendy, could I ask what greens you find your macaws most keen on?
With regards to him being sick he tends to shake his head and pump his neck when I'm in the room then occasionally regurgitates pellets. He will also beak around with my fingers then do this action again!
Sorry to bombard with questions however a thing things I wanted to gather info and opinions on.

Colin suffered a burn to his head when he was young and with his breeder, he burnt his head on a heat lamp. His feather growth in this area is not as thick and full as the rest of him, his over feathers on his head do tend to cover it
At times but it is still slightly visible.
Do you guys think this will come back fully, and also does anyone know of any creams or potions which could assist here!
Now for people's opinions...
Do you guys clips you macaws wings? If not how do you feel about free flying.
I live in the UK and I am really keen to train Colin in free flying!
Apologises if there are any spelling issues with this post, I am currently writing this on my iPhone whilst Colin is wrapping his wings round my face shouting cuddle!
 
Last edited:

thekarens

New member
Sep 29, 2013
4,022
3
I'd try out the search function and I think you'll find the answers to your questions. I think it might be faster for you. I know most of the topics have been discussed so you might find it helpful.
 

June2012

New member
Apr 12, 2015
194
0
Southern California
Parrots
Still on that mission, but looking for my mushy! <3
Thanks everyone.
Colin Main staple food is his Harrison's pellets as these are
Organic and I was finding on seeds he was very picky and would only eat sunflower seeds. He has fresh greens, veggies and fruit daily. He has extras from my dinners cooked for him to have such as pasta. Whilst on the topic of fresh foods, I'd it true or a myth that tomatoes are poisonous??? Also Wendy, could I ask what greens you find your macaws most keen on?
With regards to him being sick he tends to shake his head and pump his neck when I'm in the room then occasionally regurgitates pellets. He will also beak around with my fingers then do this action again!
Sorry to bombard with questions however a thing things I wanted to gather info and opinions on.

Colin suffered a burn to his head when he was young and with his breeder, he burnt his head on a heat lamp. His feather growth in this area is not as thick and full as the rest of him, his over feathers on his head do tend to cover it
At times but it is still slightly visible.
Do you guys think this will come back fully, and also does anyone know of any creams or potions which could assist here!
Now for people's opinions...
Do you guys clips you macaws wings? If not how do you feel about free flying.
I live in the UK and I am really keen to train Colin in free flying!
Apologises if there are any spelling issues with this post, I am currently writing this on my iPhone whilst Colin is wrapping his wings round my face shouting cuddle!

Birdman666 always gives out helpful advice so you can PM him. You do need 20 posts min. to PM, so maybe you can seek him out? He may come to your thread though, since he's an active user.

And many of the users here are almost equivalent to parrot Encyclopedias, so ask away! And there are TONS of debates, downsides, advantages, etc. to clipping vs free flying. There's also a sub-section on this forum if you look for it. ^^
 

hsb_birds

New member
Dec 4, 2014
72
Media
1
0
horseshoe bay, tx
Parrots
9 MACS, 2 U2, 2 DHYA, 1 CAG, & 1 SC. (plus 1 chilean flamingo & 5 sulcata tortoises)
Thanks everyone.
With regards to him being sick he tends to shake his head and pump his neck when I'm in the room then occasionally regurgitates pellets. He will also beak around with my fingers then do this action again!
Sorry to bombard with questions however a thing things I wanted to gather info and opinions on.

this seems like affection to me if its pumping up and down its affection and side to side slinging is sick my birds do that and my severe she will put my finger in her beak when she does it
And welcome both of you :):blue1::63:
 

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