Not exactly new, but returning and update :)

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
Hi to everyone!! Many of you I knew from my previous time on Parrot Forums, but there are many many new names I am just getting to learn more about :) So, gonna do a re-introduction and as I promised Terry a bit of an update on the last couple years. I figure instead of babbling about my progress with Max, I would post a bunch of videos, then anyone can view as much or little as you want :) But there will be some babbling, those of you who remember me know I am the villager babbler, those of you just reading my ramblings, well, you've probably gotten that image by now :)

For everyone new... Max was a 25 year old blue and gold macaw that my daughter actually became attached to at the shelter while she was shelter sitting over about a week. At the time, my feelings of macaws was they were large, often difficult birds with can openers on their faces (well actually that opinion has not changed much, just know better how to deal with it!). But, Jeanne and John (AHW shelter owners), felt that if Victoria was going to adopt Max, I had to be able to handle the macaw... yeah, these are people who are my friends, great friends huh??!! So one Saturday after a day of adoption appointments and such, Jeanne has Victoria bring Max down to 'meet' me (I had interacted with Max for photos and videos to post him on petfinder and facebook). It is still a standing joke of how that introduction went, Jeanne told me to ask Max to step up, I turned my body away, put my arm out and waited to get bit. Jeanne has a few colorful words and John came stomping across the floor and gave me the beginnings of Macaw 101 training for proper hand and arm position. Max stepped up and promptly face planted into my chest. Within a couple hours of working with him, everyone was kinda looking at each other that Max might like me more then expected, but the moment I put him on the back of the chair next to me so I could use the bathroom, and he literally ran across the table after me with the quivering wings and making an almost cry, Jeanne laughed - well it looks like Jen has a macaw. Practicing what we preach, I returned for several visits to work with Max and other macaws for more Macaw 101 hands on experience and training so I was prepared for how to deal with temper tantrums, macaws testing their boundaries and of course those hormonal moments. Max came home Easter weekend in 2014.

When Max came home, he had some very serious anxiety and separation issues. If I was out of his sight, he would become very nervous and agitated, often crying out. He was reported to have lived all of those 25 years in one home, but his behaviors was indicative of a bird who had been abandoned in life and did not take separation well. It was even a joke after we moved into our new home that the powder room was the black hole and the pantry/ closet in the large kitchen (which you cannot walk past, its in the corner), was Narnia. If I leaned into the closet for something, Max would scream in panic. But, now couple years down the road, he plays very well independently and has lost many of what we called his OCD behaviors (like stacking toys, eating nuts in shell over a bucket, so the shells were all in one place), not making a messes or such. With time and love, and lots of play, we have overcome some of those behaviors. One of the videos is of him throwing folded towels / rags out of the drawer in the kitchen. While it seems, just silly play, its actually a huge step in messy play behavior for him. Before, he would actually put everything into a pile, so tossing things around was really a huge event for him.

He is still a big momma's boy, but my husband has developed a wonderful relationship with him and has become a big part of our night-time routine, where before Byron was not important, now Max has to say good night to him as well. While he is not as snuggly and cuddly, he does do a hug wing from time to time and will press his head to Byron's chest for a night snuggle.
Ivory has been with us longer, she has always been a social bird and loves most everyone. But, some fun videos of her, including one I've shared with people in other groups about people who want a bird who talks... Ivory loves to pace along the top row of windows (we have extra high ceilings in the lower living room), and the day of the video it was raining. When it rains, Ivory talks to the raindrops on the window.. yeah... always fun...
Lots of details and stories, but thought the videos and some pics would help. And Max is a great example of adoption. I so often see posts about not adopting a rescue bird because of all their issues, behavior problems and crap like that... Looking at these videos and pics, this IS A RESCUE MACAW, he was 25 years old when he picked me. He has been wonderful, sweet and bonded from the first picture and video of me in the orange shirt, that is literally the day in early 2014 when we had our first 'moments' together. They say pics are worth a thousand words, well, hopefully these can write a book about how wonderful a rescue / shelter bird can be. Ivory is also a rehome, she came to us when she was about 3 years old and she is as perfect as a cockatoo can be (she's a pain, she's loud, she will fly and flock call, but she's a cockatoo), but she is an amazing, loving, social and beautiful white fluffball.

Anyway, enjoy!!

First minutes meeting Max - [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3WtVoqjTgs"]Max 4.12(3) - YouTube[/ame]
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hI2Ee18fp4k"]Max 4.12(1) - YouTube[/ame]

Max about a month after coming home (before we moved)โ€ฆ [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLU4uoTg5Xs"]Max loving - YouTube[/ame]
Max when we first moved, getting him to play with toysโ€ฆ [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxMM00V46Xc"]Max - YouTube[/ame]
Max early when Mom left his viewโ€ฆ [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHdBzuOrYA"]Max noise - YouTube[/ame]
Max serenading and dancing with momโ€ฆ [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsOu_OQjm0M"]Max singing - YouTube[/ame]
Max bedtime https://www.dropbox.com/s/jwcp8cuix0gzswe/2015-10-23 01.31.19.mp4?dl=0
Ivory becoming pink bird https://www.dropbox.com/s/iwke5od03niypxl/2015-10-20 15.30.28.mp4?dl=0
Ivory make the mess https://www.dropbox.com/s/ukandfcgyrvm7zy/2015-10-07 22.55.19.mp4?dl=0
Ivory talking to the rain https://www.dropbox.com/s/k0ko8226q35g0zy/2015-10-02 15.11.07.mp4?dl=0
Ivory taste testing and showing treats https://www.dropbox.com/s/99sy5up3srbxyk6/2015-09-11 20.04.15.mp4?dl=0
Max flying wrong direction https://www.dropbox.com/s/cli8brt8tarlv0g/2015-08-07 00.02.28.mp4?dl=0
Max tired talking https://www.dropbox.com/s/x2ck31nleokmn1j/2014-10-16 01.20.38.mp4?dl=0
Max behind sofa when Byron was on call https://www.dropbox.com/sc/2u27lek5gcmksyu/AADsCYJwo0YUqI8lAKPk4y58a
Max the bull https://www.dropbox.com/sc/0kul5scrztmmy7n/AAB9fapH6SCM900GMqee7Crda
Giant bird shadow Max room https://www.dropbox.com/sc/uv52gb8b8rhe1mv/AADzEEIcsByTJ0xyH2UFASXxa
Max snuggle https://www.dropbox.com/sc/c46lay0rjtlmu6d/AACPJ-5raKNbeSqTMwBUOVlCa
Max fighting with toy https://www.dropbox.com/sc/oez1k0lv4ftg66t/AACpE-xZW369JxXLRWPJAjs8a
Max flying in house https://www.dropbox.com/sc/oez1k0lv4ftg66t/AACpE-xZW369JxXLRWPJAjs8a
Max singing at night https://www.dropbox.com/s/e2tvo6mpcjkbjg5/max night singing video april 2015 .mp4?dl=0
Maxโ€™s first play tunnel https://www.dropbox.com/s/lo8ewthq0aaz0y6/max tunnel .mp4?dl=0
Video that was quite popular on facebook / internet Xmas 2014 of the Max Santa attack https://www.dropbox.com/s/figctu42kiqzao3/max santa video.mp4?dl=0
Teaching Max to lose his OCD https://www.dropbox.com/s/nq32h8spornxwdn/max towels .mp4?dl=0

Max has even been on vacation with us... This was a roadtrip to the Outer Banks for my birthday earlier this year. Was a test to see how he would do on a longer roadtrip. He actually did not quite well. We rented a private condo on the beach and setup up a mini tunnel play area like home, so he was quite happy. Have video somewhere of me chasing him thru the condo playing. But these are my favorite pics from that long weekend.





 
Last edited:
OP
jenphilly

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #3
Max flying in house was wrong link!! This was after Thanksgiving dinner 2014. Jeanne and John come over for the holidays and this was John showing the slow motion of his iPhone video! Pretty cool ;)

[ame="https://youtu.be/HSfy33M3Vs0"]IMG 8005 - YouTube[/ame]
 
OP
jenphilly

jenphilly

Active member
Oct 15, 2013
1,950
23
Lehigh Valley, PA
Parrots
BE2 (Ivory), B&G Macaw (Max), Budgie Group,
Granbirds- tiels; GCC (Monkey & Monster); Sun Conure (Loki); Bare Eyed Too (Folger); Evil Green Monster YNA (Kelly); B&G (Titan)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #4

Terry57

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Nov 6, 2013
47,515
Media
47
Albums
13
38,729
Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
Parrots
Hawkhead(Darwin),YCA(Dexter),VE (Ekko),OWA(Slater),BHP(Talli),DYH(Calypso),RLA(Kimera),Alex(Xander)CBC(Phoe),IRN (Kodee,Luna,Stevie),WCP (Pisces),CAG(Justice)GCC (Jax), GSC2(Charley)
Jen, thank you so much for the wonderful update!! I so loved all the pictures, especially the vacation ones..I bet everyone wanted to look at Max on your trip!
Starting on the videos, my internet is sooo slow tonight may have to watch tomorrow:(
Max and the rest of your and Victoria's flocks are posterbirds for how wonderful rescue/rehomed birds can be:)
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Thanks for the official reintroduction, Jen! Loved all of the updates, videos, and pics, but my absolute favorite is Max slo-mo flying in your house! Incredible!!
 

BeatriceC

New member
Feb 9, 2016
1,351
91
San Diego, CA
Parrots
Goofy (YNA), Oscar (Goffin 'too). Foster bird Betty (RLA). RIP Cookie, 1991-2016 ('tiel), Leo (Sengal), Charlotte (scarlet macaw). Grand-birds: Liam (budgie), Donovan (lovebird), RIP Angelo (budgie)
You give me so much hope! Charlotte and I are just beginning our journey. She's come so much farther than I thought possible, so I no longer have any limit on my hopes for her. Your story with Max just gives me even more hope that she will one day be fully rehabilitated (well, except for flight, since that's impossible with only one wing).
 

Most Reactions

Top