New Macaw owner

[Stlphilo]

Hello My name is Phil and our new family member is Crackers a 10-year-old BG macaw. I happened to be messing around on Craigslist and saw a listing for a macaw that seemed like it was a scam because of how cheep they listed him....one piece huge cage with top play area, all the toys, two bottom trays, outer poop wings (sorry dont know what else to call them), a separate large play stand, and of course Crackers for $500!

We drove an hour away to meet Crackers and found out that the husband was diagnosed with cancer and has to travel to St. Louis over an hour away three days a week and the time wasn't there for Crackers anymore.

We have had him now for two weeks and he is starting to get used to his new home. He will step up only when he wants and is doing it more and more as time goes on. He also loves Queen and the Beastie Boys...it is funny to watch him dance to the music. I have had a hard time with getting him to eat properly since the previous owners where feeding him pizza, ham, bratwurst, and lots of peanuts!

He has started to talk and says step up, come here Crackers, good morning, goodbye, hi, whats up, and laughs with a hahahaha and rolls his head back. He has also picked up my neighbors dogs bad habit of barking lol

This forum is great and has taught me a lot in such a short time....Thanks you all for the support you give us newbies, you have all been a big help for me.

 

[chris-md]

Hello and welcome! Would love to see some pictures of crackers of you have any?

 

[Flboy]

Welcome to you, you are on a great adventure!

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Phil and Crackers!! It seems Crackers is fitting in nicely and will be a wonderful companion.

Without a doubt Crackers enjoyed his "people food" but he is so much better off in the long run with a properly balanced parrot diet. Of course periodic bits of foods in small quantities as hand-fed treats should not be a problem!

 

[Terry57]

Congratulations on your new family member and welcome to the forum!
That is very sad about his owner, but I am sure he was comforted to know that Crackers was going to be in good, loving hands.
I am so excited to hear more about Crackers as he continues to settle in, and would also love to see pictures!

 

[BeatriceC]

Welcome!

I'm having a similar problem with a new macaw who doesn't like to eat good food. She will eat pasta, so her vet approved mixing in baby food pureed veggies in with her pasta, along with brown rice, shredded/finely chopped veggies and a tiny bit of cheese. He also recommended "big flavor" and said macaws don't like bland at all. I'm having more luck since I've added diced jalapeño pepper to her food. That gets some good food into her while I continue to offer fresh veggies and fruits at other times during the day. She's slowly coming around.

 

[Tsali]

Phil, welcome to you and crackers. Would love to see pics.

 

[smbrds]

Welcome to the forums. Nice adventure with Crackers and a journey it will be. Seems like he's found a good home.