Why my macaw won't step up?

[Erniebird8]

Hello. Looking for answers. My B&G macaw (Ernie) came to us nine months ago .
She is very sweet and playful. She looks happy here. However she won't let me touch her or pad he head. I heard she was very attached to her previous companion human (lady). I am her third home.

I can only imagine her confusion and sense of loss. I haven very patient and kind to her. I don't get upset if she tries to bite me. Just say no to her.

Do you think because she was "one person's bird" she will have a hard bonding with me? I also have an African Grey. Wondering is she jealous? I have done everything to make her feel part of the flock. Also trying some training.

Any idea will help. Thanks,
Erniebird8

 

[MrsKay]

She is a beautiful bird. I don't have a macaw.
Yes, I think she will have a hard time bonding with you, but you explained why. Her past.
I believe it will depend on how patient you can be and how much time you are able to spend with her. Hopefully you will be her home forever and I'm sure the two of you will bond in time

 

[Erniebird8]

Thanks for your kind words Mrs. Kay. Yes I am very committed to her. She is worth the wait.
I want this to be her last home. My daughter has three orange conure. They are the cutest little parrots.

Erniebird8

 

[Blancaej]

She is a beautiful girl! It sounds like you have been patient so far and you just need to continue doing what you are doing. When I brought both my rehomed macaws home I talked to them while they were in there cage. I would sit by their cage for 30 minutes at a time and just talk to them. I would offer treats through the bars. Then eventually offer treats with the cage door open. They eventually would come down and see me. And before I knew it, the allowed me to touch them and eventually stepped up on my arm.

I would take her lead when she is ready to be touched she will let you know. Keep giving her lots of love and attention. She will eventually come around. Macaws love interaction so it is bound to happen at some point. Every bird is different and it could be just taking her a little bit longer. Patience, patience, patience. Hang in there!

 

[Timothy]

Macaws can be really fickle early on. Especially re-homed macaws. When i was at Todd Marcus Birds Exotic, there was this B&G Lulu, she was so pretty, just like yours. Almost nobody who worked there could handle her. Not even the most experienced. (i was just apprentice like) But i could handle her. She liked me. She would lunge at anyone else but i could pick her up and scritch her, id walk around with her. Talk to her. But here's the thing, after several months of being at the store she started to warm up to the other guys. See, all they did was give her food and water twice a day, and clean her cage every day. Then they started to enjoy her antics, so they gave her treats through the cage and into her treat bowl. then eventually they started offering her treats which she took from their hands. One guy got bit once but it didn't deter him. Giving her shredding toys and wooden toys helped a lot so she could break stuff. Macaws love to break stuff ^^ Talk to her a lot. all the time, in a soft gentle voice. Very slow movements, they can get agitated by quick movements easily, especially if they don't completely trust you yet. In time she will become more familiar with you and you can do more on her time. Always on her time or you will rewind the progress a bit.

Good luck! and TY For giving a wonderful B&G a forever home! Too many are un wanted but people like you help this situation.