EXTREMELY Clingy 1 Year Old MaCaw

[CalistosMom]

My dreams finally came true last year when I was able to bring Calisto home. He was 4 months old and so sweet. I of course, after wanting a MaCaw ALL my adult life, immediately began to love him and spoil him. He was eager to allow me to do so. At 1 year old he is more than a little attached to me and while I love him dearly, he absolutely is unwilling to allow my other animals near me without throwing a fit. He is so smart that he knows when they are coming and flys from the perch and bars their way from me or he even gets mad at me. I have created a little monster. He really is happiest sitting on my chest with his head tucked in my neck. This isn't the optimum way to get housework done. Lol! I welcome some advice about how to change his attitude a bit. He is basically that toddler that follows you everywhere you go and even waits for you outside the restroom calling Mom Mom MOM! You've gotta love him!. I have trained dogs, horses, cats, even children, but never a bird!

 

[GaleriaGila]

What a darling!
I would just recommend devouring the macaw forum... especially the "sticky's" at the top of the thread list.
Many mac-enthusiasts here.
I'm glad you found us.

Beautiful name... is the inspiration the opera, or the moon, or the Greek myth, or... ?

 

[Flboy]

Double ditto!

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed. At 1tr old the time for setting limits with Calisto is now. Those stickies are gonna come in real handy, make sure to read all of them. Also, the "I Love Amazons" on the Amazon sub forum has major, major info which is applicable to all parrots, not just 'zons.

 

[DiscoDuck]

Welcome!!

reading and posting in the macaw forum will provide you with detailed info and insight and advice. It was the macaw forum that prompted me to have the bird who I have now.

I will be venturing into the adult stage. I am happy to share things I did with my little monster the age you are at with yours now.

There are no quick "fixes" only adaptation to either or both of your lifstyles.. If one thing I have learned here, is to....

Try everything once, the things you like, try them twice..

 

[DiscoDuck]

My dreams finally came true last year when I was able to bring Calisto home. He was 4 months old and so sweet. I of course, after wanting a MaCaw ALL my adult life, immediately began to love him and spoil him. He was eager to allow me to do so.

You've gotta love him!. I have trained dogs, horses, cats, even children, but never a bird!

I missed the ending part of your post.. Your experience with animals including children will benefit you and your bird quickly. However, you have graduated to the Macaw ranking as uhh.. I forget .. Expert Level..

I just read a really well written post that breaks down the different species of Parrot. Nothing to be alarmed about.. I tell people often.

The Macaw is a lot easier than a child and a lot smarter. These Parrots have outgoing personalities. Their behavior isn't for everyone who doesnt tolerate things well.. errr double negative.. sorry.. anyways as posted by others...

Might I suggest your journey start on the Macaw Forum similarly again to what you have written here.

Again Welcome!! There are lots of people here with very deep knowledge of Parrots. You can easily equate this site to equestrian experts, breeders, etc..

 

[Scott]

Welcome to you and Calisto! I cosign all of the above!!

A clingy macaw is a force to be reckoned with. Cannot emphasize how helpful the Macaw Form sticky threads (plus others) will be. Is he a Greenwing or Scarlett?

 

[CalistosMom]

Thanks a million everyone. I am so glad that I found this forum.. Calisto is a harlequin and yes the name is based on Greek mythology. When getting ready to bring him home I research for days for the perfect name. I wanted it to match what I felt about him and he was so beautiful so that's exactly what calisto means in Greek fora male ; it means most beautiful. He is a joy to have but recently we just inherited a Chihuahua and he came from a home where he was scarred and needed much attention. In giving him that attention he developed a bond with me also and now he thinks I belong to him. So with Calista thinking I belong to him and spark plug thinking I belong to him itit's like two kids fighting over a toy neither one wants to give the toy up.. I will go to the Forum topics that you suggested. I appreciate all the advice.

 

[itzjbean]

From what little I know about macaws, I know that they need to be worked with from an early age on socialization and desensitization to both people and animals or they will get overly attached, develop behavioral problems and will likely show much aggression as they age. Will he let others handle him other than you? Does he get adequate time in his cage playing by himself and being independent while playing on a stand? Can you leave the room without issue or does he scream?

Allowed to bond to one person, they will very strongly, but the umbilical needs to be cut and this super bond I fear is going to be dangerous for everyone involved. But he is still young and as you say, very smart. I believe working with him daily on desensitizing him and socializing with will help to make him more tolerable. Remember you shouldn't be petting him anywhere but the head, no stroking along the back or wings, the more cuddles and snuggles as he ages can make him stimulated to mate.

Does he have a large toy selection and things to chew on and entertain himself?

 

[DiscoDuck]

FWIW.. I interact with all sorts of people. (and their dogs) Rudy does not respond to dogs who don't pay any attention to him. Even the occasional larger dog who notices Rudy.. Rudy seems to barely reciprocate. I can tell, he keeps an eye on them..

Now.. I call them yap yaps. the small noisy dogs that scurry around. uh... Rudy has learned to say what I taught him.. "chicken chicken"..

Yeah shame on me for instigating. I think it is funny. BTW at one time in my life I had 3 dogs, A Rot, Blk Lab and a Weimeraner..

Not sure how the above comment will intertwine with your last post, if both animals are sedate towards each other, harmony will exist. If one or the other is disruptive, then that's what you will have.. disruption..

What is that called? a menagerie? A Zoo? Just trying to provide food for thought.

I have cats. every rare occaision one of the Vans will express an interest. when that happens, uhh.. Rudy isnt shy, he will fly right at the Cat, The coon cat is a mousy moose. Poor Guy.. every once in a semi rare awhile.. Rudy will decide to land on him.. of course.. while the moose is sleeping

 

[DiscoDuck]

From what little I know about macaws, I know that they need to be worked with from an early age on socialization and desensitization to both people and animals or they will get overly attached, develop behavioral problems and will likely show much aggression as they age. Will he let others handle him other than you? Does he get adequate time in his cage playing by himself and being independent while playing on a stand? Can you leave the room without issue or does he scream?

Allowed to bond to one person, they will very strongly, but the umbilical needs to be cut and this super bond I fear is going to be dangerous for everyone involved. But he is still young and as you say, very smart. I believe working with him daily on desensitizing him and socializing with will help to make him more tolerable. Remember you shouldn't be petting him anywhere but the head, no stroking along the back or wings, the more cuddles and snuggles as he ages can make him stimulated to mate.

Does he have a large toy selection and things to chew on and entertain himself?

THIS IS AN AMAZING POST.. Its spot on accurate to what I have done over the last 2 years.

dude, can you post your thoughts regarding as they enter into adulthood?

 

[wrench13]

FWIW, the Chiuahua breed is the most closely related to the wolf, out of all modern breeds. You would not think it to look at them, but it's true. Baser instincts may lie closer to the surface in them, so be even more viginent then you might be with more sedate breeds.

 

[CalistosMom]

Calisto is very sociable. I have grandson who loves him and will carry him around the house. My daughter spends time with him also. In the.evenings he walks between my chair and husband's. He doesn't really pay attention to our dachshund but Inde doesn't bother him. It o ly the Sparkplug that is his nemesis. I am without a doubt his person and if I leave the room he will follow. He has full flight. He does call for me at times but rarely screams. He yells help! Or Mama! I took to an outing a couple weeks ago and all the children were able to touch him. He does however show jealousy at times. Back to the research pages! Thanks again all!
.

 

[CalistosMom]

Calisto is very sociable. He likes people in general. My grandsons play with him. My daughter spends time with him quite a bit. He likes my husband. I AM his person, no doubt about it. I do encourage him to spend time in his habitat. He has his perch and it has ladders and such. I give him toys regularly as well as natural coconut shells. I did not know about the cuddle snuggles bit causing him to want to mate. I have read about the molting process and about preening and how to help him with areas he can't reach and it includes the back area. I didn't realize it would cause him problems as I worked on preening his back area. it seems I really do have much to learn.

 

[DiscoDuck]

do you cage Calisto at all?

I think it is great you have the advantage of exposing him to multiple humans ..

It took me 6 months to figure out why Rudy behaves differently towards small humans.

Now, I encourage parents to allow me have their children interact... The point is, that the more positive interactions across the board, I believe the more "acclimated" they become to the "norm".

I'm outa suggestions other than, change up the routines, the scenarios... that invoke his behavior that you don't like.

Its only my suggestion that you might consider lessening your daily interactions in routine ways by combining different things. I don't believe there are any rights or wrongs(except..) There are no quick fixes.. I have found so much info on here, that I tried numerous things, I cant remember what didn't work. I know what he likes, however even now.. those things are slowly changing..

For example, while we can do extraordinary things.. I can subtly see certain triggers now that tells me, time to change things up.. For example. Today and future days. we will be sitting down more and just watch the world go by instead of logging 4 miles a day. His personality is changing ever so slightly.. so in my mind.. time to subtly change the routine.

I am no expert by any means. I can only write about the successes, failures and ideas from my best buddy, a 3yo macaw ..

I cant say it enough that parrots are super smart. They learn easily both the bad and the good. The intelligence level of behavioral training is of the scale. IMHO of course! I think that yes,, lots of reading you can do. IMO do that! and...

I'll end with a favorite that Rudy and I practice religiously..

We try everything once, the things we like, we try them twice!

 

[CalistosMom]

From what little I know about macaws, I know that they need to be worked with from an early age on socialization and desensitization to both people and animals or they will get overly attached, develop behavioral problems and will likely show much aggression as they age. Will he let others handle him other than you? Does he get adequate time in his cage playing by himself and being independent while playing on a stand? Can you leave the room without issue or does he scream?

Allowed to bond to one person, they will very strongly, but the umbilical needs to be cut and this super bond I fear is going to be dangerous for everyone involved. But he is still young and as you say, very smart. I believe working with him daily on desensitizing him and socializing with will help to make him more tolerable. Remember you shouldn't be petting him anywhere but the head, no stroking along the back or wings, the more cuddles and snuggles as he ages can make him stimulated to mate.

Does he have a large toy selection and things to chew on and entertain himself?

Hello itzjbean,
Calisto is well socialized. He interacts with my family including my grandsons, my daughter , husband, and the pups. He doesn't really care for Sparkplug because Sparkplug has tried to claim me as well as Calisto has. I have bought Calisto toys. He has a nice perch that he spends time on. He just rather be wherever I am no matter where that is. It makes it a little hard to get things done at times. Thank you for telling me about the mating information. I did not know that. He has gone through a molting and doing research lead me to helping him preen which indicated I should gently massage the areas he couldn't reach with his beak. I found he loves his back scratched so I would massage him at least once daily. Your information has been very helpful.

Thanks again.
CalistosMom

 

[CalistosMom]

Please excuse me for repeating myself. I am learning the system. I will get with the program. Just give me a little time to catch on. Sorry everyone.

 

[DiscoDuck]

You need a cage.

To me... reading what you have wrote.

I think its time to invoke time out.. LOL not sure who should go to their room..