New Macaw Owner

[LakotaBeauty]

So a few days ago I have brought home Cheveyo (Almost called him Sparta) He is a Green wing 12 years old and seemed instantly to take to me..since then he likes to see what I am doing and follows me around for the most part, but I do have some questions I would like to play with him more and bond closer any tips on what to do to form a tighter bond? Also he seems to prefer the top of his cage...though he will step down when asked he always wants to revert.. will this always be a need for him? Is it a security measure?

 

[Lokums]

MY B&G is on the top of everything. But he always steps up for me without aggression so I don't see it as a problem. Being up high isn't a problem in itself, its just sometimes birds do up high as a point of dominance. So the problem is the feeling of dominance, not necessarily just being up high.

I absolutely think the best thing you can do to bond is do some training! Purchase a clicker (or just say GOOD BOY every single time, either works, just has to be the SAME thing) and a use a chop stick and do target training. Then you can move on to waving, high fives, fist bumps, wing lifts, recall (if he is flighted). Your birdy gets treats, spends time with you in a positive manner, very good way to bond and to train out any unwanted behavioral issues.

Another way that training is better than just spending time, is that hugging, kissing, scritching could lead to a mate type of bond a lot easier than training. Mate bonds are mostly bad because then your bird may become a one person bird and show aggression to all others, or completely flip out when you aren't around or actively loving them. It is important to foster independence in your bird, as well as creating a friend. Aggression in a bird the size of a GW can be very dangerous.

Google "clicker training" or "target training" with "parrot" and you will get a lot of sites with suggestions. I would recommend theparrotforum.com too, the admin on there has videos and a training blog. Very good stuff.

Mike

 

[LakotaBeauty]

Thank you so much Mike I plan to google what you suggested, I know that my service dog was clicker trained so I have some grasp of it but have no clue about target training. To a point I want a strong bond, but not THAT strong some days though all I can do is cuddle the last few days I did it because I want him comfortable with me but Now you have me wanting to google all these things! I am SO glad you responded!

 

[Lindylou277]

MY B&G is on the top of everything. But he always steps up for me without aggression so I don't see it as a problem. Being up high isn't a problem in itself, its just sometimes birds do up high as a point of dominance. So the problem is the feeling of dominance, not necessarily just being up high.

I absolutely think the best thing you can do to bond is do some training! Purchase a clicker (or just say GOOD BOY every single time, either works, just has to be the SAME thing) and a use a chop stick and do target training. Then you can move on to waving, high fives, fist bumps, wing lifts, recall (if he is flighted). Your birdy gets treats, spends time with you in a positive manner, very good way to bond and to train out any unwanted behavioral issues.

Another way that training is better than just spending time, is that hugging, kissing, scritching could lead to a mate type of bond a lot easier than training. Mate bonds are mostly bad because then your bird may become a one person bird and show aggression to all others, or completely flip out when you aren't around or actively loving them. It is important to foster independence in your bird, as well as creating a friend. Aggression in a bird the size of a GW can be very dangerous.

Google "clicker training" or "target training" with "parrot" and you will get a lot of sites with suggestions. I would recommend theparrotforum.com too, the admin on there has videos and a training blog. Very good stuff.

Mike

Great advice. Did not know that cuddling and touching was not really good.

 

[WharfRat]

I'm almost speechless on reading this........

Also never heard of not showing affection to your parrot......

WOW, I could not imagine not snuggling or hugging my ReaRea, which my wife does more with her than I do.........And trust me, she is bonded to me........

 

[MrsWharfrat]

What a very sad thing to read...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing affection to your feathered friend. I have raised all five of my from weeks old. I make it a point to show affection to my birds, the point of having them is for companionship and they are very much a part of our family. I hug, snuggle and give them small kisses on the beaks. My having them is purely out of love, not to have a trained 'lap dog'.

 

[plax]

I tend to agree with Mr and Mrs Rat. In my view, without cuddles, hugs and kisses a trained parrot becomes more of a robot-slave than an adored family member. If the bird is sexually mature it will still experience the associated impulses and drives, so without it harboring the idea that it has a mate (human or otherwise) it will most likely just become frustrated. Thus such a bird will likely still act out in various undesired ways. I think it's best to simply realize that such desires and related behaviors are likely to occur from time to time.

So my take on things is that snuggles, cuddles, and the like are the mark of a good parrot parent! If you're going to keep a Macaw, I feel that cuddles, kisses, and scritchy caresses are essential! That's my opinion at least.

 

[Turquoise]

I too agree with the consensus here on the cuddling & scritches. I have one of those training DVDs but it kinda bored me. Never did finish watching it. I have seen some cute tricks taught to parrots. But when it comes down to it, there's nothing more satisfying to a parront of a macaw or any bird for that matter than to have that big fluff ball of feathers snuggle up close & give you the poofy head baby look. And the first time he/she takes your finger & tries to feed it while calling you Angel will melt your heart!!