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rkrose · Jul 28, 2015

Hi:

We just adopted a pair of macaws, a Catalina female approximatey 7 yrs old, a Greenwing macaw approximately 5 yrs old. Hubby had experience with Scarlet macaws as a teenager. I had a parakeet as a teenager.

I'm confused about how to start working with them, I've read some posts that say work with them away from their cage but how do you get them away from their cage if you can't do step up and move them? We've only had them for a week and they haven't been handled for awhile. They seem pretty nice, i.e., no plucking, no out of control screaming, they will take food from our hand although they do like to do a pretend/not hard bite on the finger.

Can someone point me towards the proper section of posts I should read to figure this out?

Thanks,
Rhonda

JerseyWendy · Jul 28, 2015

Hi Rhonda, and welcome to the forums.

And MANY congrats on your family additions!!

Are these 2 big macs housed in the same cage? If so, please know that macaws are pair bond birds. If you have a male and a female big mac housed in the same cage, and neither of these have been handled in some time, you will run into some issues (potentially).

Mariar · Jul 28, 2015

Hi Rhonda! Welcome! My macaw couldn't be touched either and she was scared of sticks so I got her to step up on a braided rope. Stepping up on an object seems to work at first from there you can slowly move to stepping up on hands...lots and lots of good advice on this forum...the people I talk to have really helped me with my little girl and continue to be there for me...good luck!!

rkrose · Jul 29, 2015

Yes, they are in the same cage so I guess that means they are bonded. I'll try doing reading on how that affects trying to work with them.

Birdman666 · Jul 29, 2015

rkrose said:
Yes, they are in the same cage so I guess that means they are bonded. I'll try doing reading on how that affects trying to work with them.

Simple answer: The male is generally the dominant one of the pair. He will usually get between you and the female. You will need his "permission" to handle the female, or he will drive her back and/or pinch you when you try to pick her up. (I.E. AS A GENERAL RULE ALWAYS PICK THE MALE UP FIRST... )

They also sometimes get stressed when you pick one up, and take it out of sight, and leave the other one behind. Both out at the same time, on a playstand, but worked with, switching them back and forth, so they can see what is going on, reduces the stress... (again, male first, then female.)

I wouldn't handle them both at the same time, unless they are both on the same arm, and you can hold them comfortably. One on each hand leaves you with no way to control them if they decide to act up...

Newbsi · Jul 29, 2015

Congratulations. I admit, I did giggle when I had the visual of going from a parakeet to a macaw, excuse me... two macaws.

I want to see pictures please!!!!!!!!

JustineBird · Jul 30, 2015

Welcome to the forums.. I would try to interact them with a few times a day. If they are bonded maybe take them out of the cage and play with them at the same time. hole one and pet then have a toy to play with them. They can learn tricks and the more you eventyally interact the more they can bond with you as well. If you don't interact they might become more aggressive.

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rkrose

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JustineBird

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