Green Winged Macaw Baby

[Supercinoman]

Me and my flock are getting ready to bring the sweetest baby green winged macaw home. She is 5 months old and is almost weaned. I've been visiting her 2-3 times a week at the breeders home for the last couple months.

She is super sweet and harness trained, the only issue I've been having is dealing with her around her clutch-mates. When I enter the large aviary where her and her clutch-mates are located they all lunge at me. I've started offering them hari biscuits because it taste just like their formula and they all freely take them from me and they never run away. The problem is even my sweet little girl lunges at me when with her clutch-mates. This goes on until I end up losing my confidence getting my baby girl out of the aviary as she gets protected by her brothers and sisters and I have to ask the breeder to remove her. Now I can take her harness off and place her back inside the aviary just fine it's just getting her out that is a problem...

I'm not sure if this is a cage territory thing but I doubt that because her aviary is rotated every few weeks. I think it's a brother and sister learned behavior but I don't want to have this problem getting her out of the cage once she comes home.

Should I just go for it in the aviary and take the bite if it happens?

 

[MacawGuy]

yes i would. thats what i did to learn. my macaw never has bite me to draw blood. it was more of a pinch. i was scared at first when i got him a while ago. but it not always a bite when they do lung. but i do say this if she does bite you i dont want to be scare in not getting her cuz she bite you. all bird do bite n it does happen. but when there babies like that i would do it now then when they are older.

 

[Thefishknot3]

First congrats on your new baby GW. I'm no expert but from what I've read macaws in general "lung" at people. I've read that they are testing you. I agree with MacawGuy and go for it. Better to get bit now then when your baby is an adult. You have to show her/him that you are not intimidated by her/him. Once they know they intimidate you it's all over, they'll have "you" eating out of "their" hand. It very well could be a territory/cage aggression thing as well, but you must show her/ him that you still aren't intimidated. The treats are an excellent idea as well. He/she will come to associate coming out of the cage as a good thing. Well good luck Green Winged Macaws are gentle giants! Little secret..... I too will be getting a GW Macaw. My baby is only 6 weeks old so I have a bit of a wait, but I'm prepared. Again good luck with your new flock member!

 

[WharfRat]

Yea, they definitely will do the lunge thing Mine still do it but I'm used to it, and no, you don't want to show any fear either. Mine rarely bite down hard if they grab a hold of a finger, but I can also tell by their eyes & know their mood what their intentions usually are as well. IF they bite too hard I always give them a "No" response & grab their beak while telling them that.

 

[Supercinoman]

Thanks all! My gut was telling me to take the bite if there was going to be one but I didn't want her to begin thinking that when she saw me she would have a negative experience before getting to the good stuff... I didn't want to chase her around the aviary or lose any trust we've built...

I'm sure it will change when she doesn't have brothers and sister around and she'll be bird-less while I have her in the living room away from my other birds.

 

[JJones1719]

Welcome to the forum, the first thing about Macaws, they are pro bluffers, their lunge is meant to scare you and it working.
You really have to stand your ground. While bonding with your baby, your baby must start to look at you as the alfa in the relationship. you must remain in control at all times.
You will see once you get your baby home and as your baby relies on you for everything, this is where the bonding starts, your baby learns to trust you. As you start to hold them, pet them, feed them, bath them, play with them, this is all bonding times. The lunging will stop and sometimes the begging begins.
Try to raise a happy healthy independant baby.
you have such an adventure in front of you. You will enjoy every step of the way.
Your baby will grow fast in size but will remain a baby until they are 5-7 years old, so you see you have a very long time ahead of you.
Visiting while your baby is being weaned is so great for your baby, they will adjust faster knowing you rather then not knowing you.
Please do not rush the weaning process, this is a very important time for the baby as they are leaning not only how to eat but also trust the people around them. If rushed, the baby can suffer during this period and behavior issue can come up so slow and steady is the best way to get your baby ready to leave their flock and except you as their new flock mates. Best of luck and please post pictures. Joe