Is there a way to tell if a parrot is wild caught?

[kme3388]

The reason I ask is because of my macaw. He’s so territorial. It’s not just his cage but his entire room. Yes I changed his room around. He’s been screaming for hours, and throwing his toys around his cage. I had him outside on his stand as I was doing a few things in the yard. He jumped down to chase a crow. He would have attacked it if he could fly, and I didn’t stop him. I don’t think he’s going to win that. Crows are one of the most intelligent birds. His behaviors are so different than I’m used to. He can be a real thug. He doesn’t have a leg band. He’s adopted so I don’t know his entire history.

 

[Corkscr.ew]

From my knowledge the biggest indicator of a wild-caught parrot is extreme stress in captivity. For example, a bird who plucks for no reason other than being in the care of humans would possibly be wild-caught. I don't think behavior alone is a good indicator; it's mostly behavior along with stress levels.

 

[kme3388]

He is going through his perches and stands within weeks. He’s escaping his cage through both the front door, and food doors. I’ve gotten him foraging toys. Once he figured them out they are pretty useless. I honestly don’t know how to handle this.

Yes, his cage has more perches, and toys the photo is just more towards the bottom.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

Hey my B&G is a real thug too.

I really dont think it has anything to do with being wild caught, they just dont belong in captivity and are so mischievous.

 

[kme3388]

Hey my B&G is a real thug too.

I really dont think it has anything to do with being wild caught, they just dont belong in captivity and are so mischievous.

I don’t know anyone with a macaw. I didn’t know if this is just normal, if mine is wild caught, or what was going on.

 

[texsize]

I know nothing about macaws.

But my first parrot was a wild caught orange wing amazon.

Was scarred to death of people and wanted nothing to do with us.

Luna my Mexican redhead is a rescue with no history but she spent some time in the wilds of San Diego.

She is very territorial and protective of Merlin her…. Friend.and cage buddy .

She likes me in her own way but she will give me a nasty pinch if my arm gets too close when doing something in their cage.

 

[kme3388]

I know nothing about macaws.

But my first parrot was a wild caught orange wing amazon.

Was scarred to death of people and wanted nothing to do with us.

Luna my Mexican redhead is a rescue with no history but she spent some time in the wilds of San Diego.

She is very territorial and protective of Merlin her…. Friend.and cage buddy .

She likes me in her own way but she will give me a nasty pinch if my arm gets too close when doing something in their cage.

My macaw isn’t scared of anything. He’s either going to be nice, or give you wings. If you don’t listen to the wings you are getting bit. I’m assuming he isn’t wild caught then. He wants something to do with me on his terms, and only on his terms. Thank you for explaining how your wild caught parrot is so I can compare.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

My macaw was a wild caught adult 50 years ago. He is the most gentle, calm, loving and quiet bird imaginable. He has never been a feather plucker and has never bit anyone in 50 years. His favorite hobby is cuddling. He wanders around the house looking for his human flock. He loves being with people.

Each bird—whether wild caught or captive bred—has its own personality. You just ended up with a feisty, thuggish one!

If your bird was wild caught he would be at least 33 years old. Importation stopped in 1992.

 

[Zilga]

From my knowledge the biggest indicator of a wild-caught parrot is extreme stress in captivity. For example, a bird who plucks for no reason other than being in the care of humans would possibly be wild-caught. I don't think behavior alone is a good indicator; it's mostly behavior along with stress levels.

This is interesting, because I have also seen that wild-caught birds are *less* likely to pluck. It's so hard to find good information!

 

[rheashard2]

Personality isn't a sign of wild/domestic parrots. An article that I read back in the 70's addressed this. Stress was put on a need to stop poaching. It encouraged anyone who wanted a parrot to do these things. Read about your desired parrot. Investigate the breeder: how long open, visit premises, check BBB etc. Avoid the growing bird mills that were just getting started. Purchase closed leg band parrots if possible. Close bands can only be put on shortly after hatching. Take pic of bird w band showing. Ensure that band can be seen as closed. If band is removed, save it and keep as part of your bird's health record. The article stressed that once mature there is no way to determine wild/domestic birds. That article stuck with me. I've talked to fellow owners who had their birds from the egg, so to speak. Some were terrors, destroying everything in reach. Other owners had unknown history birds who were sweet etc.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

My macaw was a wild caught adult 50 years ago. He is the most gentle, calm, loving and quiet bird imaginable. He has never been a feather plucker and has never bit anyone in 50 years. His favorite hobby is cuddling. He wanders around the house looking for his human flock. He loves being with people.

Each bird—whether wild caught or captive bred—has its own personality. You just ended up with a feisty, thuggish one!

If your bird was wild caught he would be at least 33 years old. Importation stopped in 1992.

I want your sweet macaw. You can leave him to me in your will. I'll build him a HUGE outdoor aviary for summer. I promise.

 

[kme3388]

I want your sweet macaw. You can leave him to me in your will. I'll build him a HUGE outdoor aviary for summer. I promise.

What about the thug macaws in this conversation? They feel like you are cherry picking

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Okay. I'll take the thugs, too!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Isn't the lack of a leg band an indicator that he's captive raised? Either that or smuggled. They couldn't import legally without putting on an open band. Of course the band could have been removed but who would try to try to remove the band on a wild thug macaw? I envision that involving a lot of bloodshed, both macaw and human.

 

[kme3388]

Okay second theory since my wild caught one isn’t working out. There were scarlet macaws right across from mine at the shelter. Those scarlets were bad influences.

 

[kme3388]

Isn't the lack of a leg band an indicator that he's captive raised? Either that or smuggled. They couldn't import legally without putting on an open band. Of course the band could have been removed but who would try to try to remove the band on a wild thug macaw? I envision that involving a lot of bloodshed, both macaw and human.

The person who surrendered my macaw said they had the leg band at home. When I scheduled Blue’s first vet visit the Vet asked me to email the original owner. The original owner left their information encase the new one wanted information. I did email, and that person never got back to me.

 

[PrimorandMoxi]

I want your sweet macaw. You can leave him to me in your will. I'll build him a HUGE outdoor aviary for summer. I promise.

Take my macaw, PLEASE!
Cue: rim shot.

 

[Macawdamia Nut]

Since you know who surrendered your macaw, do you know how long they had it? That would be a clue. If they had the bird less than 33 years, it was captive bred, as importing wild parrots was banned in the US in 1992. If the previous owners were not the original owners, your bird’s past remains hazy.

We removed my macaw’s open leg band a few years after he came into our care as we were afraid he might get it caught on something and hurt himself. The vet removed it fairly easily.

Do you know why the previous owners surrendered your macaw? Maybe he was a handful (AKA “thug”)?