If you can start taking the macaw outside the home into the public start doing it. This will help socialize the macaw to new situations and people. Socialization is very important and I believe a well socialized parrot is much less nervous. I am kind of in your same boat. I got my baby RFM in December and it is winter here so it makes it pretty much impossible for me to take him anywhere. He did so well at his vet appointment socializing with everyone. Several vet techs, the other avian vet plus some extra people thrown in there to see and hold him. Valentino went to everyone and was very friendly but this was after only having him for 4 days. He is now very bonded to me because I am his world right now. No one comes to the house and the only other person he sees is Lupe.
Valentino is very bonded to me and I don't want him to become a "one person" parrot. I cannot WAIT for the weather to get better so I can begin to take him outside in his harness for walks and then begin to run errands with him. Eventually I will take Valentino to the bank, outdoor coffee cafes, the park, shops that allow my bird...pretty much anywhere I can get away with taking him into. I cannot take him to restaurants, grocery stores or places with chemicals (like hairdresser, they must come outside to see him) Eventually I would like to take him to fairs and outdoor events but that will come later in the season.
To prepair to open up Valentino's world I have been recall training him heavily. He now flies to me when called and can also find me when I am not in his site. He has learned to fly down to me from the second level of my home. Flying down is a very important skill to know in case he is up higher than me and is commanded to fly to me he will not be frightened to do so. Now that I can trust Valentino to fly to me on command harness training is next. I have began petting session with the harness on my hand and sometimes it drapes over his head. Valentino could care less about the harness touching him and now does not mind it draped over his head. Soon I will be able to put it on him and he will practice wearing it. Then I will have him wear it while flying in my house. Once he is use to harness I will begin to take him outside in it. I use the Aviator harness so this allows me to fly him outside so I can exercise him.
I would like to be able to travel with someone I trust to take care of Valentino. I also don't want him to be cage bound while I am gone because he won't go to another person. My sister use to watch my animals for me when I had to go to Mexico every two years for two weeks. Diego my Illiger's macaw would NOT come out for her so he was in his cage for the two weeks. Fortunately his cage was the Kings 406 which is HUGE and was more than enough room for him. This is now Valentino's cage and although it is more than big enough for a RFM I would not want him in there for two weeks straight.
Take the socialization slow. Try to end it always on a positive note for your parrot. Have lots of treats to give Shamrock, Sherlock..oh I can't remember your macaw's name sorry. One day at a time. The more you expose your macaw too the more confidence he will gain in himself.
