Will They Get Along?

[BirdyMomma]

Hi. I have a 5 month old Yellow Collared Macaw, and a 4 month old Military Macaw. They have separate cages, but are out all day long, in the same room, in close proximity to each other. They are definitely familiar with one another. I train them together, with their training stands next to one another. In the past two weeks, they have taken to chatting to each other, from the top of their play areas. If I remove either one from the room, they will call to each other......sounds like friendship, right?
I'm not confident that they will actually GET ALONG and be able to interact without us being on super high alert if they are not separated. Is there anything I can do, to increase the likelihood of them accepting one another.... I think there is the possibility, but I am terrified, particularly given the size difference between them, of Wingnut seriously hurting Loki.
I have only ever let them get physically close when I am right there, and could intervene. There is some lunging by both parties, but my compulsion to protect Loki overrides my ability to see if it's just a display, or an actual attack. I can't take the chance. When I hold Wingnut in my arms, I will let Loki sit on my shoulder, behind him, and he often doesn't realize she is there. She will stretch down, and touch his feathers with her beak. I'm very careful, incase he turns and doesn't like it.
Any suggestions on what I should, or shouldn't be doing will be greatly appreciated.

 

[JerseyWendy]

I think you're doing everything just right. Be VERY careful and supervise IF they can get to one another. It's a GREAT sign that they are calling to each other, my guys do the same thing, BUT, mine are about equal in size and actually interact with each other quite a lot.

It wouldn't take much for Wingnut to seriously hurt Loki. I'm not saying that he would WANT to hurt Loki, but Loki isn't big enough to "defend" himself properly, if that makes any sense.

 

[Kalidasa]

Treats help when introducing, make sure each gets their favorite treat when they are out together so they have good associations with interaction.

 

[BirdyMomma]

Thanks guys! I am very careful!! Wingnut is over 3x her size. The most difficult part is that my little girl is FEARLESS!!!! She will walk right up to him. She will try to get in his space, and I'm not sure if its out of curiosity, jealousy, or an attempt to dominate him.
I treat them constantly. We do clicker training all together, and seperate. I feed them together. Snuggle time is difficult, because Loki always wants to be on me, and will get antsy if I snuggle Wingnut for too long. (I actually put him to bed each night before her, and she and I watch Investigation Discovery together).
Thanks for the advice! I'll let you know how it goes, and I have an awesome photo of them training next to each other that I will post, when I have a sec.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Thanks guys! I am very careful!! Wingnut is over 3x her size. The most difficult part is that my little girl is FEARLESS!!!! She will walk right up to him. She will try to get in his space, and I'm not sure if its out of curiosity, jealousy, or an attempt to dominate him.
I treat them constantly. We do clicker training all together, and seperate. I feed them together. Snuggle time is difficult, because Loki always wants to be on me, and will get antsy if I snuggle Wingnut for too long. (I actually put him to bed each night before her, and she and I watch Investigation Discovery together).
Thanks for the advice! I'll let you know how it goes, and I have an awesome photo of them training next to each other that I will post, when I have a sec.

I have the same problem with my lil P'let being fearless when it comes to my Sennie. Found them twice rolling around on the floor fighting. It was horrible. At the time my P'let was fully flighted and must have flown at Rio, but Rio could easily take her out. The last incident ended up with my P'lets beak being gouged. Btw I was only about 10 feet away when it happened and thought the 6 Ft between them was enough space between them. Boy was I wrong. Hee hee

 

[BirdyMomma]

Oh my God Wendy, I would DIE. I have seen birds who have had their beaks severely damaged by other birds, and I would never forgive myself if anything happened to my beautiful little girls beak.
As the weeks go by, Wingnut is becoming more and more attached to me, and he insists on being a full participant in the nightly cuddle time festivities. Loki considers herself the
guest of honor, so I have to cuddle both of them at once, while keeping them separated. This evening I let them come face to face for a few seconds. They were checking each other out, and then lunging started, and they actually touched beaks for an instant.
That was enough for me to keep both parties separated for the rest of the evening.
I hope this is something that can be worked on.

 

[SoCalWendy]

Hope it works out for you... Of you look at my signature picture. You can see my lil instigator going after Rio in a tree. LOL I never allow both of them out at the same time unless I am within inches of one of them. Even Kiwis bruised beak wasn't enough for her to learn her lesson. LOL

 

[MikeyTN]

They're just like people, some may get along just fine some may never get along. There's nothing you can do to make them get along. It's all up to them. Lola have been here for over 6 months. Willie and Lola does not get along at all what so ever. Every time I have them on the play stand they're on the opposite ends trying to get off and screaming for me to pick them up to get as far away from each other as possible. So usually one is on me while the other one is on the play stand. Then everything calms down. They will scream to one another, they know each other's presence and acknowledge each other but that is it.

 

[SoCalWendy]

They're just like people, some may get along just fine some may never get along. There's nothing you can do to make them get along. It's all up to them. Lola have been here for over 6 months. Willie and Lola does not get along at all what so ever. Every time I have them on the play stand they're on the opposite ends trying to get off and screaming for me to pick them up to get as far away from each other as possible. So usually one is on me while the other one is on the play stand. Then everything calms down. They will scream to one another, they know each other's presence and acknowledge each other but that is it.

Rio calls to kiwi all the time.. It sounds like she is saying Riiiiii Riiiiiiii. So cute. Kiwi could careless. :54:

 

[MikeyTN]

When Java the U2 was here, Malachai and him used to have a screaming match. Java screams, Malachai screams. It's like who can try to scream over the other one. Of course Java have a louder scream but Malachai wasn't giving in either. But they absolutely despise one another, Java will not hesitate to kill him while Malachai will fight to his last breath. Malachai is a dare devil!!! He does not play nice with any bird.....The ekkies run when they see him coming so usually Malachai is put up when everyone is out.