My scarlet macaw is lunging.

[Robf1988]

My wife and I adopted a scarlet macaw 3 weeks ago fromarescue. He appears to be adjusting well. Avian vet said he is in great shape. In the past week, he has been lunging at my wife, the person he has bonded with. Why is he doing this and how can I help him to stop.

 

[wrench13]

You need to go to our Macaw sub =forum and read the stickies at the top of the page, written by birdman666. IN fact use the search feature and read all the threads and responses by him. He is our resident Macaw expert.

From what I know about Macaws, they bluff, a lot, as a means of determining who is the Big Bird in the house. Call his bluff or you guys are going to have a house being run by a Red Menace.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

You need to go to our Macaw sub =forum and read the stickies at the top of the page, written by birdman666. IN fact use the search feature and read all the threads and responses by him. He is our resident Macaw expert.

From what I know about Macaws, they bluff, a lot, as a means of determining who is the Big Bird in the house. Call his bluff or you guys are going to have a house being run by a Red Menace.

Correct me if I'm wrong macaw people but isn't three weeks a bit too soon for an adult macaw to develop a bond to (vs a preference for) any person

 

[Cindylynn]

Correct me if I'm wrong macaw people but isn't three weeks a bit too soon for an adult macaw to develop a bond to (vs a preference for) any person

I wouldn't think so, especially if he was bonded with someone in the past and doesn't have problems trusting humans in general. Trust hasn't been built completely, but they crave connection and attention.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

Also, be careful of making that lunging into a game which was a big mistake I made with my B&G.
I would roll up a newspaper and have a swordfight with Max which only cemented his notion that I was the one to lunge at, and bite, and roughhouse.

 

[Cindylynn]

I wouldn't think so, especially if he was bonded with someone in the past and doesn't have problems trusting humans in general. Trust hasn't been built completely, but they crave connection and attention.

This is Pancho and I about 2 weeks after I got him!

 

[Robf1988]

This is Pancho and I about 2 weeks after I got him!

Thanks for the help. I meant to say that Bo, my scarlet macaw, is starting to bond and be comfortable with the family. He is getting on a perch and once we get him away from his cage, he responds to us. He still lunges some at first but it's probably because he's upset about being away from the cage. It's a work in progress.

 

[BirdieDad]

Thanks for the help. I meant to say that Bo, my scarlet macaw, is starting to bond and be comfortable with the family. He is getting on a perch and once we get him away from his cage, he responds to us. He still lunges some at first but it's probably because he's upset about being away from the cage. It's a work in progress.

I would recommend the Avian Behavior Lab if things get worse or don't resolve to your satisfaction. They give some solid advice that may help.