Cockatoo & B&G Macaw

[Pharoh]

Hello,
I have a 4 yr. old U2, that I have had for 2 years. Last week I aquired a B&G Macaw that was in need of a home. Is there any chance that the two parrots will ever become friends? Or jus get along with each other. If there is a chance what might I do to help the birds to get along with each other? My U2 does not like the new flock member. Nor does the B&G seem to like the U2. I thought maybe putting thier cages very close to one another might help. Anyway I am looking for any advice one might have to help me with my situation.

Thank You
Pharoh

[KimBear]

You can't make parrots get along, but you can do your best to get them to the point where they will tolerate one another, and there's always that chance that at some point they may become good friends. First of all, realize that since you've only had the macaw for a week, everyone is still in the getting-to-know-you phase, and it's understandable that the two birds aren't jumping to be best pals. Let the macaw settle in, and let your cockatoo get used to the idea that he's not the only bird in the house anymore. If he seems to be jealous, be sure to pay extra attention to him but don't react too much if he screams at or otherwise acts hostile to the newcommer. You don't want to accidentally reinforce unfriendly behavior, but nor do you want to punish it. It's perfectly normal for things to be a bit tense for a while.

If you've already got the macaw in the same room as the cockatoo (it would have been better if you had quarantined the new bird but what's done is done), leave it at that for now. Putting the cages too close together may be a bit much at first, for both parrots. After it seems as though tension between the two isn't as high, you can move the cages a bit closer.

Once you see signs that they're tolerating one another, and possibly even curious about eachother, you can try introducing them outside their cages, in a neutral place. Put them both down several feet from eachother, and be right there to step in if someone decides to get too pushy or is outright mean, or if you sense that either bird is afraid. The idea is to get them to be comfortable together, and fear on anyone's part won't help at all.

There's no way to know for sure how long it may take before you feel they're ready for this kind of interaction, but I'd error on the side of caution and not rush things. If you plan to have both these parrots long-term, you have lots of time to let them decide if they can be friends.

If I had to guess, I'd say that the odds may be in your favor, because many parrots often enjoy the company of other parrots. Not always, though, so take it slowly.

[The Outlaw]

Hi:

Kim has given you very good advice, but I need to interject about the safety issues linked with housing BG macaws with dust producing birds, ie your cockatoo. For some reason, many BG macaws are very sensitive to Too dust. There is a respiratory disease they can get that acts very much like miner's lung does in humans. There is no treatment and no cure and can lead to fatality.

Even running air cleaners, it simply won't prevent this problem IF your macaw is one of the sensitive ones. Unfortunately, its a silent killer, usually not showing up until about 5 years later. At that point, its just too late.

It really isn't recommended having BGs and cockatoos in the same house, much less same room. I wish you well, but PLEASE be very, very careful. I know you don't want to lose your macaw because of something you had complete control over.

THE OUTLAW

[TooLover]

I had my LSC, Merlin, for about a year before bringing in Elwoodblue, my B&G. It took them quite a while to get to know each other and get along. They are fine together now; I have 2 cockatoos and 2 macaws that play as though they are best friends!

[DocT]

I have a B&G that does share a large bird room with a U2 and also a CAG. There is however like Outlaw said the possibility of the dander causing a problem. I do howeve use the air cleaner to help. Every bird geta shower once a week and gets a misting every day to try to help cut down. They have all lived together for 10 years or so now with no problems but their cages are not real close to each other. The further apart you can keep them the better it will be.

Bonnie

[Beaks]

Also you should not have a problem with your macaw and dust if you keep your house and birds clean with plenty of fresh air.

John