Bogey my Blue and Gold Macaw

[wdaggs1]

I got Bogey from some friends of mine I have had him 18 years. My friends had him for 12 years. Apparently one of the boys mistreated him some. So his mother decided to give Bogey to me. I have had parakeets and cockatiels all my life so I usually can get really close to them. But it took about 1o years for him not to flinch when he was close to me. He will now sit on my lap when I'm sitting on the couch but he won't let me touch him. I see all these videos of people picking up their birds and loving them and it breaks my heart that he won't do that.
I have tried things that my vet suggested but it hasn't worked. Does anyone have any suggestions of things I could do to get him more friendly to me. One other thing my friends kept his wings clipped I have not. So he doesn't know he can fly. I live in a one bedroom apartment so I guess I'm glad he doesn't fly.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

The best thing you can do is. . . Please stop watching those videos! It's NOT typical for ANY adult parrots, even hand raised ones, to enjoy being "cuddled" (Cockatoos are a possible excrption).

He sits on your lap! That's pretty cool! Macaws are majestic, potentially dangerous birds that could easily snap your fingerbone like a twig but he chooses to perch on you. That's awesome!

If you really want to cuddle a bird, I suggest you get a bird like a baby cockatiel that you can cuddle that many continue to allow it when he matures and enjoy Bogey for the amazing bird he is, not mourn the bird he isn't.

 

[wrench13]

I dont know about cuddling (my 10yr Amazon, raised from a baby hates it), but a good way to strengthen your bond and increase the trust - is training. As a result of our daily training sessions, Salty lets me do just about anything to him or with him. Check out vidios in my link below. Start small and build! Donnas right most parrots do not like being held close, but all, I think, benefit from Learning.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

Every bird is unique. Some are squawkers, some are cuddlers, some do tricks, some talk. Appreciate what you have and work to bring out the best qualities in your bird.

My macaw is a cuddler. His favorite hobby is sitting on me and letting me fuss him (like right now as I type this!) He was a wild caught adult when I got him 51 years ago. You would never guess he was once a wild animal. He has been a cuddle bug since the very beginning (maybe his gentle and trusting nature was why he was caught in the first place ). He is quiet. He says one word—his name. He doesn’t do tricks. He isn’t very playful. Is not really into toys. Never was. That is just not his style.

Focus on your bird’s good qualities. He will probably never be a cuddler. That’s OK.