Hi
I adopted about 17 year old illiger's macaw back in November. I don't know much of his history except that he was with a female in a breeding facility that was seized due to poor conditions. The female bit off 3 off his toes on one of his feet. He is still a bit nasty in his cage and tends to bite, so I usually have to towel him out, he doesn't go after the towel as much anymore only a hand. Once he is out of his cage he is very friendly with me for the most part. He will even try and talk and say some words. I know he has been through a lot over the years and he definitely has some sort of anxiety when I put him back to his cage or when I come home he starts to scream, and it will always be when he sees me. The only other time he screams if I am not there is when we have many people over. I understand that he wants to be a part of the "flock" when everyone is over, and for the most part I will handle him when I can but there are times when I can't, so I was wondering if anyone has any ideas that will help him stop or prevent him from screaming especially when I have guest over or something. I built him a play gym and all but I don't want him to think that every time someone comes over or if he screams he gets to go to the gym as a reward or punishment. I do my best to ignore him on occasion when I can't handle him but he just keeps screaming sometimes. So if anyone has any ideas or suggestions that might help please let me know.
Thank you
Kunal Patel
I adopted about 17 year old illiger's macaw back in November. I don't know much of his history except that he was with a female in a breeding facility that was seized due to poor conditions. The female bit off 3 off his toes on one of his feet. He is still a bit nasty in his cage and tends to bite, so I usually have to towel him out, he doesn't go after the towel as much anymore only a hand. Once he is out of his cage he is very friendly with me for the most part. He will even try and talk and say some words. I know he has been through a lot over the years and he definitely has some sort of anxiety when I put him back to his cage or when I come home he starts to scream, and it will always be when he sees me. The only other time he screams if I am not there is when we have many people over. I understand that he wants to be a part of the "flock" when everyone is over, and for the most part I will handle him when I can but there are times when I can't, so I was wondering if anyone has any ideas that will help him stop or prevent him from screaming especially when I have guest over or something. I built him a play gym and all but I don't want him to think that every time someone comes over or if he screams he gets to go to the gym as a reward or punishment. I do my best to ignore him on occasion when I can't handle him but he just keeps screaming sometimes. So if anyone has any ideas or suggestions that might help please let me know.
Thank you
Kunal Patel
