BojackMacaw
New member
Hello everyone!
After years of wanting a companion bird, I made one of the scariest but also most exciting decisions of my life! On Saturday, I went and met a rescue B&G macaw. He was surrendered by his previous owner due to declining health and resulting inability to care for him. I'm not sure of his exact age but he is DNA sexed male and pretty young. He was "hand fed" (but who knows what that really means!) I actually went to the rescue to look at an Indian Ringneck, but Bojack had other plans... He was quite shy, but once he stepped on my arm he went to my shoulder immediately and let me hang out with him for over an hour! It was a cool experience. I'd be lying if I said I didn't fall in love immediately.
I had budgies and a cockatiel about 10-15 years ago when I was growing up. I just bought a house, have no kids (and likely will not be able to have any). My boyfriend has been diligently reading up on owning a companion macaw. I have been brushing up on info as well. A macaw has always been my dream pet, but I honestly never really thought I would actually get one.
Any tips for a first time macaw owner? The woman from the rescue taught me some tips and tricks (like how to gracefully get him off my shoulder when he was resisting lol!) I have a huge cage being shipped to me, so I am boarding him at the rescue until the cage comes in. I bought lots of toys to rotate through. I have a seed and pellet mix that I plan to feed him, as well as fresh veggies and fruits.
I guess the most valuable advice would be related to macaw specific behavior and how I can slowly gain trust. He seems to be a pretty gentle bird, but I also know his behavior may change when I get him home. I know macaws try to intimidate to gain dominance, any advice for shutting down that behavior? Most places seem to say I should leave him in the cage for a few days when I bring him home, is that good advice?
Thank you! I'm very excited to see him grow and, hopefully, become my best friend
After years of wanting a companion bird, I made one of the scariest but also most exciting decisions of my life! On Saturday, I went and met a rescue B&G macaw. He was surrendered by his previous owner due to declining health and resulting inability to care for him. I'm not sure of his exact age but he is DNA sexed male and pretty young. He was "hand fed" (but who knows what that really means!) I actually went to the rescue to look at an Indian Ringneck, but Bojack had other plans... He was quite shy, but once he stepped on my arm he went to my shoulder immediately and let me hang out with him for over an hour! It was a cool experience. I'd be lying if I said I didn't fall in love immediately.
I had budgies and a cockatiel about 10-15 years ago when I was growing up. I just bought a house, have no kids (and likely will not be able to have any). My boyfriend has been diligently reading up on owning a companion macaw. I have been brushing up on info as well. A macaw has always been my dream pet, but I honestly never really thought I would actually get one.
Any tips for a first time macaw owner? The woman from the rescue taught me some tips and tricks (like how to gracefully get him off my shoulder when he was resisting lol!) I have a huge cage being shipped to me, so I am boarding him at the rescue until the cage comes in. I bought lots of toys to rotate through. I have a seed and pellet mix that I plan to feed him, as well as fresh veggies and fruits.
I guess the most valuable advice would be related to macaw specific behavior and how I can slowly gain trust. He seems to be a pretty gentle bird, but I also know his behavior may change when I get him home. I know macaws try to intimidate to gain dominance, any advice for shutting down that behavior? Most places seem to say I should leave him in the cage for a few days when I bring him home, is that good advice?
Thank you! I'm very excited to see him grow and, hopefully, become my best friend