Military macaw will not go back into cage for night time

Military is 1 yr. old just started not going back into cage. I didn't feed him during day on his play stand. Showed him a bowl of food and a treat didn't work. How far do I push him to get him in cage. I'm afraid I'll make him not like me. I can't get him to step up for night time. He does know how. It got ugly. I wore protective sleeves b/c I would have had shredded arms today. HELP

Use a towel and towel him if you have to.

This is the "testing" phase. The bird is seeing out what happens if he stands up to you and doesn't do what you asked him to do. Pass the test!

If your human toddler decides he isn't going to bed, you make him do it anyway, right?! And occasionally that gets ugly, and can be expected to.

It doesn't mean your kid stops loving you if you make him go to bed. (Even if he stomps his feet and tells you he hates you when you spank him and put him in bed. Right?!)

Same difference.

Bedtime means bedtime.

If he won't step up, he gets toweled.

If he throws a fit, cover him.

He has to learn.

Does he have toys in his cage? I try to make sure all my birds have enjoyable things in their cage, so they don't mind the time they spend inside. I always have a treat, a nut or a toy ready, so they almost look forward to it.

My Military put up a fuss last night, when I was trying to put him in. He yelled, and fought a bit. I took him out, pet him for a few seconds, and told him it was night night time. Then I put my hand gently on his back, and he went in, no problem. I don't know why he didn't want to go in, but by giving him the extra consideration of consoling him for a few minutes, I let him know that his feelings matter. Imagine if you had very little choice of what happens to you. When and what you eat. When and how much time you spend in a cage. How many hours of light and darkness there are.....basically everything in their world depends on us. So to respect their feelings, and give them choices when we can, or the ability to express their feelings makes a big difference in their lives.

I might try some in and out cage exercises. Put him into his cage, then take him immediately back out and tell him what an awesome boy was and give him a treat and play with him. Do it again, and again, and again. Don't let every time you put him in end with him being locked in the cage.