Military Macaw on the floor

Cathy M · Sep 30, 2010

I have a lovely adopted 22 yr old military macaw, Max, who rushes out of his cage to get down on the floor....while on the floor he walks around in search of material, paper, hidey places, and then regurgitates. This is his only activity other than eating. He is sweet and friendly, loves to be scratched, very easy-going except for this one thing. I know that I need to keep him up off the floor and I have already begun to fix his cage to make it more difficult. I have offered him lots of toys, playtime with me, gentle showers, lots of different perches around the house....still his only desire is to be on the floor getting into his very stylized (head bobbing, fixed eyes).

Thank you all for your assistance with this...Cathy

Spiritbird · Sep 30, 2010

Floor activity is loved by many of the larger birds. I have seen a cockatoo in love with a ball he took everywhere he went as long as it was on the floor. Not unusual at all to see big bird on floor.

greycloud · Sep 30, 2010

Hi Cathy and welcome! Where are you in MD? I am in Baltimore!
Your bird is exhibiting nesting behavior. By seeking out dark places, places to dig, regurging all of these are sexual behaviors. If there is any way to keep him off the floor, it would be best. As it just exacerbates the behavior. Cut down on daylight hours by shortening his day by an hour. Put him to bed earlier, in other words. Cut back on any warm food offered. No petting anywhere but the head.
As far as getting him to play with toys, try playing with the toys in front of him. Make happy noises and praise him if he shows the littlest bit of interest. He needs to learn to have his attention redirected away from sexual behavior and onto fun behavior. It may take a little time and patience but as soon as he learns to enjoy toys he will be a happier bird.

antoinette · Sep 30, 2010

Birds behavior can be so confusing, my poor bird brain. I was beginning to understand a little bit then, then got confused again after reading point number 8

8. Floor Time: Most large macaws enjoy padding around on the floor at all stages of life. They need a place to do this that is safe from injury by other inhabitants, as well as from bacterial contamination tracked in from outside sources.

Below is a link explaining the sexual behavior of macaw's

Macaw Behavior Tips

Spiritbird · Sep 30, 2010

Thank you for your clarification Ant.

2Birds3Kids · Sep 30, 2010

That is nesting behaviour. I greatly curbed my Ekkies hormones by putting her in a sleep cage at night that is covered and put in a very, very quiet room. I make sure she gets 10-12 hours of sleep. Watch for your toes. My ekkie doesn't bite me but does attack my toes - ekkies are notorious for this. I don't give her floor time much. Instead I help her exercise her wings.

wildheart · Oct 1, 2010

Welcome to the forum Cathy!

It is VERY important to look at each species separately, what goes for an ekkie does not go for a macaw.

5. Sexual Behavior: In a domestic environment, sexually mature macaws exhibit less sexually differentiated behavior than many other species. During breeding season, both mature males and females may be a bit less patient and somewhat noisier. Females may become hormonal and begin nesting in their cages regardless of whether a male is available.

8. Floor Time: Most large macaws enjoy padding around on the floor at all stages of life. They need a place to do this that is safe from injury by other inhabitants, as well as from bacterial contamination tracked in from outside sources.

Ant's link.

Based on that Cathy, I would give Max some playtime on the floor. Because you are trying to prevent him from doing it, it could have become something of an obsession for him to play on the floor. (You know you only really want something when you cant have it.

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Military Macaw on the floor

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