B&G Macaw is HOME!!!

[SweetPea]

As you all know, I answered an ad about a B&G macaw...and because I seemed like the "perfect candidate" to be Angel's new owner, her owner gave her to me for free... her, along with a HUGE cage that seriously I can comfortably STAND in there myself (I'm 5' and 90lbs), her manzanita play stand, her carrier, and along w/ all her food, toys, books etc.

Angel didn't really talk when I met her...but when I got into the car, she said "hello" to me, which was so cute.

Now that she's home, I put in a few new toys I had bought for her...she pretty much just stares at me, a little, understandably, scared. Her owner, who cried when she said good bye to her, says that her problem w/ Angel is that Angel thinks SHE's the head of the flock, and therefore only does every and anything on HER term. She even lunges and bites at the owner, in which the owner showed me a HUGE bruised that Angel had given her on her arm.

When my brother was getting something near her cage, she tried to lunge at him....so I can see first hand that she's going to require work.

What do you guys think is the best way to get acquainted w/ Angel? And how do you suggest me taming her?

Right now, I'm giving her some alone time to get acquainted w/ her new surrounding.

Thanks!

[Winged_Victory]

congratulations!

Go slow and you will have a sweet bird on your hands! It will take a month or so to get her to come around but once she trust she will be there for you as well as you for her.

gary

[danforth3]

Congratulations to you and Angel. You're both going to have a lifetime of fun.

[Rue]

Congrats! Post pictures! :-D

Just give her time...don't try and handle her until she looks ready or indicates she wants to be handled...(unless too much time goes by)

...in the meantime talk to her, sing, dance silly dances and just entertain her! When she sees how much fun you are she'll be wanting to join in...

[JThw8]

Congrats! Time and patience are all thats needed. She will just need to learn who the boss is now. I wish you the best of luck with her and as others have said, we need pictures :)

[Doubleyolk]

Good luck with Angel. Your about to see how wonderful B&G's are. I took in a 26 yr old B&G in Nov 04 and was with one owner his whole life and is wild caught. Lunging at the sight of people was common for about 3 months. I spent many hours in front of the cage talking to him and eating with him. He would allow me to scratch his head through the bars and take food from my fingers.

About the fourth month I tried to get him to step up and took my first of two nasty hits to my hand. I showed him no fear and he was surprised at that.

I know most people no not approve of using gloves but I bought a pair of welding gloves and he grabbed hold of my finger and I thought he was going to break it but I just let him bite until he realized I was not afraid of him.

After three or four times with the glove he stepped up no problem and realized I was an OK person. Then I stopped using the glove and started offering the back of my hand first with a closed fist because I like all my fingers.

Now I was getting to the point I wanted and he would rub his tongue all over my hand and try to pick the freckles off my hand. I did this for about two weeks not asking him to step up.

One day I opened the door and offered the back of my hand and he stuck out his foot and stepped up on his own. Now he is my best bud and is one fun bird and knows he is safe and likes his new home. This is what worked for me and you will get many views and opinions on what you should do.

In the end I'm sure you will say what a wonderful bird she is and I'm glad I got her.

[The Outlaw]

Joe:

You did everything exactly correctly and that's why you have a new best friend. Bravo! As you know, I am probably the world's biggest BG fan. I just can't say enough good things about them. Its my sincere opinion that they like people, but sometimes don't even know it yet. Its up to us to show them.

[ParrotletLover]

Congratulations on Angel!! I hope it all works out for you.

[SweetPea]

Thanks guys!! Per your advice, I had told all my family members to not try to touch Angel or even come near her cage, so far so good! Everyone so far stands about ten ft from her, and talks to her softly!!

This morning, she was showing off her vocabulary skills, which for day one, pretty impressive!

Her cage is in the dining room, which is the least most used room in the house; however, we have an open floor plan so she can easily see the living room, foyer, kitchen, and family room.

When I was in the family room with my conure on my shoulders, suddenly, out of no where, Angel, who was observing us, pipes up w/ "Pretty bird! Pretty bird....C'me here!! Come here!!" Then when I was kissing Guom on top of his head, I heard a LOUD lips smacking sound coming from Angel's cage...it was hilarious!

My sister was in the kitchen, getting a drink, and was leaving for work, and was having a little convo w/ Angel, and when she told Angel she'll see her later, my sister turned around to walk out of the house, when Angel screams after her "BYYYYYYYYEEEEEEE!"

She likes it when we talk to her, but whenever I come by to give her food and water (she had her first birdie bread today...unfortunately, I can't tell if she actually ate any of it, cause she threw it out of her bowl like... ten ft away...lol) she kinds of does this little strut, and cocks her head from side to side, while her face blushes....so I obviously know that she's not comfortable yet.

[SweetPea]

Oh yeah....question for you guys w/ multiple birds, do you let your big birds interact w/ your little guys? I don't think, no matter how much Angel behaves later, that I'll ever trust her w/ my little ones....just because I might regret it in a milisecond...